Twice-honored Port Angeles teen to vie at national SkillsUSA contest
Published 12:01 am Thursday, April 16, 2015
PORT ANGELES — A Port Angeles senior has won awards both for his leadership and his skills as a woodworker.
Cole Tamba, a Port Angeles High School senior, was named the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula’s 2015 Youth of the Year in March.
He also recently won the gold medal of first place in the cabinet-making category in the state SkillsUSA competition and will compete in the national contest in Louisville, Ky., in June.
The Youth of the Year award is bestowed in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle.
A longtime member of the Port Angeles unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs, Tamba has earned an internship and is now a part-time staff member at the club at 2620 S. Francis St., helping to lead fitness activities and mentor other youth.
Tamba has enlisted in the Army and hopes one day to return to his club as the unit director.
SkillsUSA competition
At the national SkillsUSA competition, he will be tasked with building a small cabinet from materials and drawings supplied on the first day of the competition.
Contestants will be expected in two days to read the drawings for a cabinet, lay out and cut the parts using a table saw, laminate trimmer, hand drill, hinge boring machine and various hand tools.
The parts must be accurately assembled, sanded and adjusted to standards specified by the judges.
Tamba has worked in wood since his freshman year.
SkillsUSA, a national organization, is a partnership of high school and college students with teachers and industry representatives to help prepare students for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations.
The Youth of the Year recognition program is presented by Disney. For more information about it, see www.bgca.org/yoy.
To donate, volunteer or sign up for programs at the Port Angeles unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs, call 360-417-2831.
For more about the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula, see www.positiveplaceforkids.net.
