Fortin and Baker win Rosettes

DCHS Journalism

by Brenda Breth

May 12, 2008

Ten Oberlin students won ribbons on their woodworking and drafting projects at the Western Kansas Technology Education Fair at Fort Hays State University. Juniors Jacob Fortin and Nathan Baker also won the coveted Rosette, which is an award given for the best project in each category and age group.

Jacob Fortin

Jacob won a blue and the rosette on his dry bar, and Nathan won a blue and a rosette on his potty training toilet.
A blue ribbon stands for superior; a red means excellent.
Andrew Richards won a blue on his bookcase, and a red on his kitchen cart. Sam Stapp won a blue on his gun cabinet and a red on his billiards rack. Jamie Miller won a red on his clock, and Ryan McEvoy won two reds on his doghouse and gun cabinet. Erin Jeffrey also won a red on her desk.

In drafting, Jamie Miller won a blue on his arbor press (CAD). Winning reds were Chenaniah Langness on his arbor press (hand-drawn) and screw driver (hand-drawn), and Ethan Long on his depth gauge (CAD).

The industrial arts students also participated in two events at the fair: Problem Solving and Tech Challenge, which is like a quiz bowl with technical questions.

Oberlin didn't place in problem solving. The team consisted of Lucas Juenemann, Nathan Baker, Ryan McEvoy, Sam Stapp and Jamie Miller.

Oberlin entered two teams in the Tech Challenge. Team A included Everett Urban, Cole May, Andrew Richards, Jacob Fortin; and Team B included Jamie Miller, John Meitl, R.J. Phifer and Nathan Baker.

The teams had to draw for seeding, and out of 16 teams, Oberlin A had to go against Oberlin B the first round.

“The guys were pretty unaccustomed to the Scholars Bowl-like competition,” said Matt Micek, “and I think they were a little reluctant to buzz in.”

Oberlin B won over Oberlin A and went on to take second place overall, which earned them a plaque.

“Overall, I was really pleased with how the day turned out and was excited to see a couple of our projects get the coveted Rosette,” said Mr. Micek. “I would have liked to have seen the drafting projects score a little higher as these guys really worked hard to get them done before the show. However, there were plenty of white ribbons given out, and we can hold our heads high that we didn't have any of those.”