July 25, 2022—A Wisconsin student is reflecting on and celebrating his recent win at the SkillsUSA competition in June.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Owen Pryga of Grafton High School won gold for the SkillsUSA Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair.
The national competition took place in Atlanta, Georgia. Pryga was able to attend because he had previously won at the state level for Wisconsin in April.
At the national competition in June, Pryga and 20 other students competed for over six hours. They were evaluated on their skill sets regarding safety, electronics, suspension, steering, brakes, engines, transmissions, and alignment.
"When I found out I won it, it was also pretty crazy. I was hoping for top three, to at least get a medal, go on stage. It blew me away that I got first place," Pryga said to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
He won a $1,000 scholarship from Harbor Freight Tools and over $8,000 worth of Snap-On tools.
Pryga plans on pursuing an information technology degree at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in the fall.
