Wood Industry Supports Student Cabinetmakers in SkillsUSA

ANAHEIM, CA – Izayah Garcia of Salinas High School,Salinas, CA, won Gold in the SkillsUSA Cabinetmaking Contest and is now preparing for the National Leadership & Skills Championships in Kansas City this month, where he will compete against top-scoring students from all other states.

Garcia and other Los Angees-area students participated in SkillsUSA, one of the largest national career and technical student organizations, with the backing of contributions totaling more than $7,000 in tools, material, supplies and gifts from the woodworking industry.

Woodcraft, DeWALT, Royal Plywood, Blum. Laguna Tools, Colonial Saw, Kreg Tools and other industry suppliers, plus the Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers, supported Los Angeles-area student woodworkers competing in the 2014 SkillsUSA California Region 3 (Los Angeles) and California State woodworking contests, held Feb. 1 and April 26, respectively.

Wood Industry Supports Student Cabinetmakers in SkillsUSAEleven high school cabinetmaking contestants from Los Angeles and Orange Counties spent a Saturday in February at Los Angeles Trade and Technical College constructing cabinet components during the regional contest.

Last month, 22 cabinetmaking students from 11 schools advanced from regional events statewide to compete at the State Championships in San Diego. In 8 hours, the competitors built a 2-foot tall cabinet using red oak from Royal Plywood, Blum inset hinges for the frameless door and Tandem drawer glides for the drawer.

Have something to say? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.