Udelhoven places in Top 10 at SkillsUSA Nationals

By Tom Martin

Andrew Udelhoven, a recent graduate of the Wauzeka-Steuben School District, concluded his high school career by representing Wisconsin at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC), held in Atlanta, Georgia, from June 24–28. 

For Udelhoven, his journey became both a capstone and a launching point. 

“As we [my family[ left Atlanta for home, I realized that high school was now over, but that my career choice [HVAC technician] would soon become a reality. While SkillsUSA wasn’t the main factor in that choice, membership certainly solidified my skill sets and provided me with the confidence to become a successful professional one day,” said Udelhoven.

Udelhoven represented Wisconsin in the carpentry contest, which pitted him against 44 other competitors from across the country. In what is billed as the world’s largest talent competition, Udelhoven was among over 6,500 competitors in 115 competitions that, along with over total 17,000 participants made the Georgia World Congress Center a mecca for talent in a space that one must see to believe.

“In preparation for Atlanta, Team Wisconsin officials advised us to be prepared to walk numerous miles a day, and they weren’t kidding. Andrew’s Hall in which they had the construction trades competing was over five football fields  in space  by itself, and the entire Center was over 31 football fields in total square footage. 

“It would take you no less than 20 minutes to walk from one end to the other,” Jesse Udelhoven, Andrew’s mother, said.

Jesse Udelhoven continued, “what this immense undertaking speaks to is SkillsUSA’s commitment to the workforce. Each event Andrew was in was extremely professional and geared on determining a winner, not just here in Atlanta but for each competitor on into the future. While Andrew didn’t win, he was only one of a handful of students that finished his project and for that he earned 10th nationally. Wauzeka-Steuben students will benefit as we plan to unveil the project plans to future students in order that if they aspire to compete, they have an idea of the design elements for not only the competition but what they will be expected to build in real life.”

Adrian Udelhoven, Andrew’s father, also attended and came away very impressed with NLSC. 

“The trades competitions and frankly every competition I witnessed were set up to challenge students. For Andrew, he had elements in his project [steel studs for example] that he hadn’t been exposed to before which will be good for him because after the competition I could share with him how they should be applied. All of what Wauzeka-Steuben and SkillsUSA are trying to do is prepare each student to be ready for the next step in life. As a father, it's comforting to know that between what we’ve provided Andrew at home and his work in SkillsUSA, he is truly on a path for success.”

Andrew Udelhoven said, “I would like to thank my grandparents, Andy and Bev Meiller, and my grandfather, Adolph Udelhoven, for allowing me to learn a work ethic and in learning what it means to have pride in one’s work. I would like to thank Mr. Brad Gillitzer, our former Technology & Engineering instructor, for taking the time to show me over the last three years I competed in carpentry at state...Finally I thank my parents and friends for their support while at Wauzeka-Steuben. I truly enjoyed my time at Wauzeka-Steuben and would recommend going here not only for its great education but also for the incredible opportunities students can get involved in here.”

“I could not have scripted a better way to end high school than representing my school and state at NLSC, it was the experience of a lifetime," Andrew Udelhoven said.

Tom Martin is a member of the Wauzeka-Steuben Board of Education.