High school students showcase skills

Welding, small engines, electrical talent on display

High school students from Allen, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jeff Davis parishes took part in the District 9 FFA competition Thursday at the ABC Pelican Southwest Training Center.

The students competed in the welding, small engines and electrical categories.

Blaise Theard, ABC workforce development specialist, said the partnership with FFA was a “perfect fit” for the training center, which oversees career education courses in many of the rural high schools.

David Helveston, president and CEO of the Pelican Chapter of the Associated Builder and Contractors, spoke of the talent showcased during the competition.

“When you see the skills and techniques that these students bring to the competition, you’ll understand why the future of the construction industry is bright,” he said.

Gabriel Courville, a Kinder High School junior, competed in the electrical category. With plans to become an electrical engineer, Courville said the FFA’s opportunities have shown him that he was “meant to do electrical.”

Courville said his skills have improved since he began competing three years ago. An unexpected curve ball during last year’s competition motivated him to succeed this year.

“I watched a lot of videos,” he said. “I taught myself and took it upon myself to learn it.”

Aaron Rasberry, Jennings High School teacher, said many students, like Courville, treat FFA like “their sport.”

“They stay after school working on it and getting better,” he said.

FFA is no longer limited to agriculture careers, he said. The national program now has a more all-encompassing career education focus.

“Many of the skills they’re competing in today, they’re going to be competing in the job market for as well in the future,” Rasberry said.

The winners will compete at the Area 3 competition March 14 at the ABC Pelican Southwest Training Center.

””

A local high school student competes in the welding portion of the ABC – District Craft Competition at ABC Pelican Southwest Training Center in Westlake, La., Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. (Rick Hickman/Lake Charles American Press)

Rick Hickman””

Sam Houston students, Owen Daigle and Beau Lynch, work on a small engine during the ABC – District Craft Competition at ABC Pelican Southwest Training Center in Westlake, La., Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. (Rick Hickman/Lake Charles American Press)

Rick Hickman

SportsPlus

Local News

Snowfall chances ‘slim’ but flooding real possibility

McNeese Sports

Cowgirls look to start streak

Crime

1/8: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

Local News

Public hearings planned in Allen on proposed carbon capture and sequestration projects

Jim Beam

Jim Beam column:Early advice still important

National News

Trump won’t rule out use of force against Greenland

Local News

Cold weather advisory continues in SW La.

Local News

After New Orleans attack, Cassidy urging Americans to ‘not live in fear’

life

PHOTO GALLERY: Mardi Gras is officially underway

Local News

UPDATE: 38 Calcasieu schools affected by Stratigos Dynamics bankruptcy announcement

life

Faith & Family: Three local ministers answer, ‘Why pray?’ 

Crime

Bogalusa mayor arrested on drug, solicitation charges

McNeese Sports

Sharp-shooting Cowboys roll Demons

Local News

New year, new laws on Louisiana books

Local News

Colder temperatures will remain across SW La. this week

McNeese Sports

Cowboys sign 4 on eve of semester

Local News

Second Harvest mobilizes to support South Louisiana during extreme cold 

Local News

SW La. resident — who was nation’s first severe bird flu case — has died

McNeese Sports

Garcia earns SLC honor

Crime

1/6: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

Local News

Congress certifies Trump’s 2024 win — without the Jan. 6 mob violence of four years ago

Local News

Jeff Davis School Board’s new president explains his vision for new year

Local News

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces his resignation

Local News

Biden traveling to New Orleans following French Quarter attack that killed 14