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Show Monday News July 20, 2009 Students dominate Skills USA National Competition [GREGWILCOX Web*editor ""*" Ai Mitton/UVU Review Aaron Wood returns from a delegation through Israel and Palestine during the visit of President Obama. , Student delegate has returned from conflict zone JESSICA BURNHAM tslews edifof UVU sociology major Aaron Wood has recently returned from a two-week delegation to Israel and Palestine during which he spoke with both Israelis and Palestinians regarding the ongoing conflict. , The delegation, co-sponsored by Interfaith PeaceBuilders (1FPB) and the National Peace Foundation (NPF), gave 16 American students the opportunity to travel through the conflict zone during President Obama's visit to discuss the halt of illegal Israeli settlement and the reintroduction of peace negotiations. With five major goals, the delegation set out to make a difference. The first goal was to observe the situation on the ground and analyze how it affects Palestinians and Israelis in the west bank and Israel, the second, was to listen to Palestinians and Israelis regarding their personal views, the third goal was to support non-violent activism, the fourth goal is to engage in education and advocacy upon returning to the U.S., and the fifth goal is to empower people to become peace builders in their own communities. One of the organizations the delegation was able to meet with on their trip was the Israeli Committee Against Home Demolitions (ICAHD). The organization gave them a tour of east Jerusalem so the group could understand what policies were being enforced and how it was affecting the ground situation. The Israel defense forces issue demolitions tcrPalestinian homes and are also extending walls, around their existing settlements, thereby isolating their communities. "Palestinian families are forced to leave and find other places to live at which point Israeli settlements are built on the confiscated land," Wood said. "About 1/3 of Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem have been issued demolition orders. 3,000 orders have been issued in the Palestinian land of the west bank." While there are varied opinions on the Israeli side, many consider themselves citizens concerned with human rights and the state of Israel. "The vast majority, believe that the occupation needs to end, the settlements need to stop and the wall needs to be dismantled similar to the Berlin Wall," Wood said. Many Palestinians felt like the only way Israel will truly stop is if international pressure is put upon them, specifically from the U.S. with whom they are close allies. This may need to include the discontinuation of aid being sent to Israel from the U.S. Whatever you may say about UVU students enrolled in the trade, technical, and skilled service professional programs, they've proved again that they are not to be messed with. UVU students recently returned home from the 45lh annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Kansas City, Mo., with 11 national medals and some bragging rights. Working against the clock and each other, participants proved their skills in categories such as Audio-Radio Production, Criminal Justice, DieseJ Equipment Technology, Engineering Technology, Medical Terminology, Architectural Design, Firefighting, Industrial Motor Control and Robotics. "We are extremely proud of UVU students and how they perform when they compete head to head with other colleges and universities from around the state and nation," said Darin Taylor, UVU SkillsUSA director. "When our students can go back to Kansas City and compete against the very best from each state, and continually come out on top, I think that says a great deal about the quality of students, faculty and programs we have here at UVU." Out of the 25 competitions that UVU students competed in on the national level, they earned an astounding II medals. "This type of performance on a national college/university level is beyond outstanding," Taylor said. "To bring it into perspective, there were 43 states that did not win as many post-secondary college medals as UVU did as an individual institution." The awards ceremony held on Friday, June 26, brought together more than "15,000 students, parents, teachers and industry representatives. Top competitors were awarded gold, silver or bronze medallions. Winning competitors earned scholarships and/or tools and goodies related to their trade provided by industry sponsors. SkillsUSA is a national organization that serves more than 307,000 high school and college students annually. Since its inception in 1967, the organization has grown from 54 competitors in, three contests to more than 5,400 competitors in 91 hands-on skill and leadership contests^. The SkillsUSA Championships is the premier showcase of technical and career education in the nation, and has the support of more than 1,100 corporations, trade associations, business and labor unions. Prominent Industrial and technical experts from related fields donate time and expertise to develop, administer and judge the skills contests using criteria set by the industry. SkillsUSA believes this to be the greatest day of corporate volunteerism in America every year at an estimated cost of $35 million. UVU's gold medal winners include the team of Skylar Haws and Bryan Sansom in Audi-Radio Production; the team of Shane Foerster, Todd Gardner, Cody Hamblin, Brittany Lewis, Jared Lc wi s, Ly nae Malchus and Kylie West in Chapter Business Procedure; Brett Christensen in Criminal Justice; Casey Muhlestein in Diesel Equipment Technology; the team of Alan Gilbert, Daniel Nay and Sean Peterson in Engineering Technology; and Zac Carney in Medical Terminology. Silver medal winners include Emberly Valgardson in Architectural Drafting, Joy Stearns in Firefighting, Tom Gutierrez in Industrial Motor Control, and the team of Carl Ballard and Benjamin Booth in Mechatronics. Kimberly Ashby received a bronze medal in First Aid/CPR. Others who received recognition were Ash Coleman who placed 4Ib in Culinary Arts, Trent Bates who placed 4th in Photography, Tyler Stone who placed 4th in Power Equipment Technology, and Brad Trinnaman who placed 4lh in 5?creenprinting. welcomes you to Utah Valley University -Two Sparkling Swimming Pools and Jacuzzis -Newly Renovated Fitness Center -Free Stand-up fanning Bed for Resident Use •Award-Winning Residence Life Program- 'j ngaglhgtom ssadors -On Bus Route t o l M ! -Private and Shared Rooms Available RATES STARTING AT $245 rates are subject to change Come and be a part of the premier student housing community at Utah Valley University! Spots for fall are filling up fast. Bring this ad in on a tour to receive a FREE UVU T-SHIRT l l l l S . 1350 W. Orem, UT 84058 801.431.0000 wolverinecrossing.com i.'C 4 • |