Homer Alaska - Schools

On March 24, 18 HHS students will travel to Anchorage for a three-day statewide competition organized through Skills USA.

The qualities that earned the students success in Kenai will serve them well in competition against students from around the state, Brege predicts.

"For some HHS students, success was earned in building their courage up to try something new. For others, it was stacking up against their peers and putting effort toward winning a competition. And still others found success in a workshop they attended to learn more about their future career," Brege said. "The success I was hoping for was that each of the 44 HHS students had fun throughout the day, were engaged the entire day and that each of them learned something positive about themselves while respectfully representing Homer. They most certainly exceeded my expectations."

HHS students earned first-, second- and third-place awards in every category they entered: culinary arts, construction, welding, keyboarding, design-make-sell, floriculture and the operation of various pieces of heavy equipment.

Then, there was the "Most Employable School Award."

"I believe this speaks volumes about the character of our students and the integrity of our program," Brege said.

HHS offers some training in the students' areas of interest. For instance, Brandon Radeke, who earned first place in welding, took a welding class and Neil Richardson, who earned first place in construction, also had a related class.

Other students, including Diana Frank, who earned second place in floriculture, were motivated by personal interests. Past work experience was the key for Sienna Rucker, who literally dug her way to first place in the heavy equipment operation competition.

Jenna Mahoney's interest in cooking won her first place in the district's culinary arts competition, but is also a step toward her future. She has plans to enroll in the AVTEC Culinary Arts School next year in preparation for a career in that field.

Brege's goal, no matter what class a student decides to take or what specific area holds his or her interest, is to stress the importance of a work ethic that includes four valuable skills: be on time, be on task, wear the proper clothing and safety equipment, and clean up after yourself.

"When I was in business, I found if anybody could do those four things, they could do just about anything," Brege said. "If they have a work ethic established, I think that only brings them out as a person far and above everybody else.

This is the second year HHS has had a vocation club. Last year, it consisted of students enrolled in Brege's welding and construction classes. This year, because of growing interest, it is open to any HHS student.

The club has been supported by Camron Wyatt and Hope Casseri, other HHS teachers and school administrators, area residents and a long list of businesses of the Homer community. Among them are Redden Marine, Kachemak Wholesale, Save U More, Safeway, Napa, Spenard Builders Supply and Manana Print, earning the loyalty of students and families through their support of the students' skill-building, skills that add value to the community.

"These students want to be part of something real," Brege said. "As their Skills USA Chapter adviser and teacher, I expect them to represent Homer High School in a respectful manner. I expect them to be open to new opportunities and engage themselves in every opportunity that arises. I expect them to have as much good fun as possible. I expect them to learn something positive about themselves. And I expect them to bring something exciting back to Homer they can share with others to better everyone's opportunities in the future."

For more information on Skills USA, visit the Web at www.skillsusa.org.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky.@homernews.com.