COMMERCE, CA -- Kaydee Walters, a student from Tooele High School in Tooele, UT, will face 2010 Gold Medalist Daniel Berrios, from Bethlehem Vo-Tech School in Bethlehem, PA, In the WorldSkills Cabinetmaking Qualifying Trial at the AWFS Fair July 20 – 23 in Las Vegas.

The winner will represent the United States at the 2013 WorldSkills competition in Germany.

Walters won the Gold Medal for High School Cabinetmaking at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Kansas City, MO, last month.

Berrios and Walters will compete at the WorldSkills booth in the Central Hall Wednesday - Friday of the show, building a project to showcase their cabinet construction and woodworking skills. Two industry professionals will judge the students’ work, Saúl Martin of Architectural Woodworking Company, Los Angeles, CA, and Charles Wilson of Charles Wilson Millworks, Cedar City, UT, will score the students’ skills and processes. The winner will be announced at 11 a.m. Saturday at the WorldSkills booth.

Fifteen AWFS Fair exhibitors will support the WorldSkills Cabinetmaking Qualifying Trial with donations of materials, supplies, tools and machinery. They include:
· Amana Tool Corporation
· Bessey Tools North America
· Bosch Power Tools & Accessories
· Colonial Saw Company Inc.
· Delta Power Equipment Corp.
· Dixon Enterprises Inc.
· Festool USA
· Freeman
· General International MFG CO LTD
· Powermatic
· Joos USA Inc.
· Kreg Tool Company
· Rockler Woodworking & Hardware
· Royal Plywood
· Senco Products

In addition to supplies and tools, some sponsors have invited the student competitors to participate in additional activities during AWFS Fair. Bessey Tools will host a meet and greet luncheon with the two competitors and Tommy Mac, star of the Emmy-nominated PBS woodworking show, Rough Cuts with Tommy Mac.

Delta Power Equipment Corp will give both the winner of the Qualifying Trial and his or her school a 10=inch table saw with the blade autographed by Scott Phillips, host of the PBS show The American Woodshop.

“We are extremely excited about hosting this WorldSkills competition as new AWFS Fair feature,” said Angelo Gangone, AWFS executive director. “Skill training is a key topic for our association and everyone benefits from activities that increase visibility of the skilled trades within our industry. I hope that all attendees make a point to stop by the WorldSkills booth to watch these talented young people showcasing their talent.”