April 23, 2007
Running Start student at South Puget Sound Community College headed to national competition
On April 14, 2007, Dusti Sink, a Running Start student at South Puget Sound Community College, won Washington state’s SkillsUSA-VICA welding competition. By doing so, she earned an entry in this year’s National Leadership and Skills Conference in Kansas City, Mo., June 26-29.
After finishing third at last year’s state competition, Sink, who is a senior at North Thurston High School, claimed the 2007 title by exhibiting exceptional craftsmanship in turning five assigned blueprints into skillfully assembled, smoothly welded items.
“It will be an adventure,” Sink said of the national competition. “Not every girl gets to do this, and if I happen to do well, more power to me.”
Sink has been in the Running Start Program for two years. Additionally, she works as a lab technician for the college. In June, she will graduate from both North Thurston and South Puget Sound.
Originally incorporated in 1965 as Vocational and Industrial Clubs of America, SkillsUSA-VICA is a nonprofit organization that serves high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled-service occupations. According to the organization’s Web site, the National Leadership and Skills Conference is a showcase of career and technical education students.