Area high school students put their technical skills to the test during the 2026 Southeast Iowa Skills Throwdown, held Friday, April 10th at Southeastern Community College.
Students competed in hands-on challenges in welding, construction, auto technology, and CAD. Participants were not told what tasks they would face ahead of time, and instructors were required to step back, leaving students to rely entirely on their own knowledge and problem-solving abilities.
Fort Madison Dominates Team Events
Fort Madison High School stood out in the competition, earning first place in both team categories.
The construction team included Colt Blanchard, Nolan Lamb, Karson Dixon, and Owen Menke. The auto technology team featured Karsen Durbin, Oliver Schelick, Conner Blindt, and Cade Blind. Instructors Jeff Gerdes (auto technology) and Michael Schinstock (construction) oversaw the programs.
Individual Winner in Welding
In the individual welding competition, Brookelyn Fenton of Mediapolis High School took top honors.
Regional Participation
Students from across southeast Iowa participated in the event, representing:
- Burlington High School
- Fort Madison High School
- Keokuk High School
- Mediapolis High School
- Mount Pleasant High School
- New London High School
- Winfield-Mt. Union High School
The Skills Throwdown highlights the importance of career and technical education, giving students the opportunity to demonstrate real-world skills in a competitive environment.