Crafting Success: CRHS Woodworking Students Compete in State and National Level Competitions

Cedar Ridge High School (CRHS) Woodworking students, led by Avery Pipkin, have had a big year in state and national competitions! During the year and over the summer, they have hit the ground running creating beautiful pieces that have given them a unique opportunity to display their expertise and learn about the profession at the highest level. 

“This is what we strive for,” said Shannon Braxton, Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE), Cultural Arts, and Social Studies for Orange County Schools. “It’s another example of OCS leading students from curriculum-based classrooms to a lab where they get hands-on experience, then earn recognition from industry leaders at the highest level. 

“There are not many woodworking teachers in North Carolina, and Mr. Pipkin is truly a lifelong learner. Now his students are also learning by his example, in a trade they will be able to enjoy for life.”

SkillsUSA State Conference: Greensboro, North Carolina

From April 9-11, 3,000 CTE students from across North Carolina, including six from CRHS, competed in the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference featuring over 130 trade, technical, and leadership events to showcase their knowledge and expertise. 

Cedar Ridge students swept Cabinet Making with Gold and Silver in the main competition, and several students also placing at the introductory level:

• Josh Scism, Gold Medal in Cabinet Making and 4th place in the Cabinet Making Showcase 
• Tyson Oswald, Silver Medal in Cabinet Making 
• Ava Smith, Silver Medal in Cabinet Making 1 
• Mason Pierce, Bronze Medal in Cabinet Making 1
• Caden Thompson, 4th place in Cabinet Making 1

SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference: Atlanta, Georgia

After winning Gold, Scism advanced to the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) to represent North Carolina in Cabinet Making, from June 1-5 in Atlanta, GA. 

This is the peak of CTE competition, celebrating the skills and expertise of over 17,000 students across the country looking to excel in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations, along with their instructors and industry professionals. 

While Scism did not make the national podium in Cabinet Making, Pipkin said he was proud of how he represented during the competition. Oswald attended Skills USA University to gain further insight into opportunities in skilled trades.

Association of Woodworking and Furnishing Suppliers (AWFS) Fresh Wood Student Competition: Las Vegas, Nevada

The “dynamic duo,” as Pipkin calls them, took a unique trip to Las Vegas from July 22-25 for the AWFS Fresh Wood Student Competition, paid for by the organizers, where they showcased projects that earned them finalist status in their respective categories. 

Every other year, 20 high schoolers are invited to compete, alongside 20 more college competitors who alternate annually between Las Vegas and Atlanta. As they display and answer questions about their work, students learn from leaders in the profession about everything from innovative tools to leading-edge joinery and other woodworking techniques.

Pipkin said, “Fresh Wood is known as ‘the place where the woodworking business does business,’ and I am so excited that my students have this opportunity to compete at the highest level and learn from leaders in the field. It’s been one of my main goals, and I’m proud of everything they have accomplished.”

Of 20 high schoolers selected this year from the US and Canada to showcase their original designs in six categories (chairs, tables, case goods, design for production, open category, and special theme), two were sent by AWFS to Las Vegas with their projects to represent Cedar Ridge Woodworking!

Scism’s “Let Your Light Shine” (open category) and Oswald’s “Turntable Turning Modern” (case goods) projects were judged by industry leaders on craftsmanship, functionality, construction technique, and aesthetics. They vied for first, second, and honorable mention in their categories, along with Best of Show and People’s Choice awards up for grabs across the entire field. 

Oswald and Scism are coming home with great memories from Fresh Wood, the first time in some years that OCS students have qualified as finalists for the trip to AWFS. Please join us in congratulating and celebrating these hardworking students as they head home from Las Vegas!