A couple of local high school students did very well at their first skills competition held in Cranbrook on March 1.Jesse Plotnikoff came first, while Ethan Peterson placed second in the competition, which was held at the College of the Rockies.The competition featured students from throughout the Kootenays competing in welding, cabinet making, carpentry and automotive service.Peterson heard about the competition from his welding teacher at Grand Forks Secondary School (GFSS), Mr. Penner. “He brought it up in class one day and I was interested,” he said. “I started looking into it. I’ve always had a passion for welding. I’m hoping to be able to do it after graduation. I’m hoping to get my Level C ticket when I’m done here (at GFSS).”Peterson said the competition in Cranbrook was a good chance to challenge himself. He prepared for the competition by “studying different blue prints” and “working on his welds and cuts.”“It was a really good experience,” he said. “We had to write a 30 question theory test to begin. We then had to make what was called a widget to display all our cuts and welding techniques. It was a different experience.”Peterson said the equipment they used was similar to what he’s used to using but just much bigger.Peterson said he and Plotnikoff were pleased with their results.“We went into it thinking we didn’t know what we were getting into,” he said. “We didn’t feel super-comfortable doing the contest, but I guess our skills put us over the top. We were pretty excited about it.”Peterson said he learned a lot about welding from the competition and the instructors there. He said his blueprint reading and fabrication in general need some fine-tuning.“You have to make sure you lay everything out correctly,” he said. “You have to make sure everything is correct before you start your cuts or any of your welds. I want to keep pushing myself.”Peterson, who is in grade 12, is hoping to get an apprenticeship for next year before moving on to Nelson’s Selkirk College to get his welding ticket.