ATLANTA — Middleburgh’s Wyatt Strobeck brought his considerable welding skills to a national competition in Georgia last week, where he placed among the best student welders in the country. Strobeck studies at the Schoharie BOCES CTE.

Strobeck and aspiring industrial electrician Ryan Gurdyal of Schenectady brought their knowledge and skills to the big stage at SkillsUSA’s National Leadership & Skills Conference June 1-5 in Atlanta. They were among more than 6,500 state champions from across the country competing for national gold, silver and bronze medals in 114 skills and leadership competitions.

Strobeck and Gurdyal won the New York State SkillsUSA competition in Syracuse in April, earning the right to advance to the national stage. The national competition is the largest gathering of America’s future skilled workforce and the ultimate recognition of excellence in career and technical education, with more than 19,000 attendees, including students, instructors, industry partners, government officials, administrators and more attending.

Teacher Chris Johnson was proud of his students and enjoyed his time in Atlanta.

Johnson said that the competition was “awesome.” While Strobeck didn’t place in nationals, he went up against “50 of the best competitors in the US,” said Johnson. “He did great.”

The teacher said that he enjoyed the trip. The convention center in Atlanta is “huge,” measured in football fields. He said that there were more than 300 types of competitions, including robotics, drones, and “anything you can think of.”

He enjoyed seeing what the different students were studying and competing in.

Johnson said that supporting Wyatt was “very very cool.”

It was Johnson’s first year competing in the SkillsUSA . He taught three years at Universal Technical Institute in New Jersey and the past two years at Schoharie CTE BOCES.

Johnson said that Strobeck learned throughout the process.

The exact placement of Strobeck won’t be announced until August. He likely ranked in the top half of the nation.

“It was a really amazing experience.” Johnson said, “I’m so proud of him.”

He added that many students have Thruway Cup, the regional and state SkillsUSA competition, and several stu

“I couldn’t be more proud of how they’re doing,” he said. He said that he’s proud of the students, who graduated on Thursday.

He said that he hopes to go to another national competition. 

“I’m looking forward to sending kids to regionals,” as well as potentially states and nationals. Since winning the Thruway Cup, the competition will be returning to the Capital District next year. 

SkillsUSA is a career and technical student organization serving more than 395,000 high school and college students. The organization promotes personal and professional growth and offers students the opportunity to compete at the local, regional, state and national levels. The organization also promotes giving back to the community, which locally results in collections each year for food pantries and city missions.