MARLBOROUGH 一 Superintendent Ernest F. Houle is pleased to share that Sofia Ramirez-Granick of Westboro, an incoming senior at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School, won a silver medal at the SkillsUSA national competition.
Ramirez-Granick won a gold medal for her work at the State Leadership & Skills Conference, held from April 28-30 in Marlborough. She traveled to the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, which was held on June 20-24 in Atlanta, Ga., to compete against other state champions in welding sculpture. More than 6,500 career and technical education students, all state contest winners, competed in 108 trade, technical, and leadership fields at the Conference.
Ramirez-Granick’s sculpture was Day of the Dead-themed, representing the relationship between Mexican people and their ancestors and honoring her Hispanic heritage. The sculpture featured a large sugar skull on the front, with a bridge connecting the skull to a boat that carried a Catrina, one of the most recognizable Day of the Dead symbols. Creating the sculpture took about 50 hours, while preparing her portfolio for the Nationals took an additional 20 hours.
Upon arriving at the competition, Ramirez-Granick encountered a significant hurdle: her sculpture was damaged during delivery. Karen Ward, Executive Director of Massachusetts SkillsUSA, connected Ramirez-Granick with another female welding contestant from Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School who shared her personal protective equipment.
The complex repair also required multiple tools that Ramirez-Granick did not have. Competitors from across the country, whom Ramirez-Granick did not know, graciously loaned equipment so she could compete fairly.
During the competition, students were expected to describe all aspects of the design and creation of their work through interviews with the judges. Notebooks displaying evidence of original creation were required.
The judges were impressed by Ramirez-Granick’s sculpture and her composure, resourcefulness, and professionalism as she repaired her piece for competition.
“I learned that whatever I put my mind to, I can do,” Ramirez-Granick said. “Whatever life throws at me, I can figure it out.”
Ramirez wishes to thank her family, Metal Fabrication instructors George Aziz, Neil Mansfield, and Chris Wittmier, and SkillsUSA advisors Kelly Jenkins and Bruce Long
for their support and advice. She also wishes to thank the SkillsUSA competitors who assisted with the sculpture repair.
“Sofia is incredibly talented, and very deserving of national recognition,” Superintendent Houle said. “SkillsUSA is an amazing experience for our students, who get to showcase their creativity and learn both new skills and life lessons from peers from across the country.”
About SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a non-profit national education association that serves middle school, high school, and college or post-secondary students preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service operations. Having served nearly 14 million members total since 1965, SkillsUSA partners with students, teachers, and industry workers to ensure America has a skilled workforce.
Sofia Ramirez-Granick of Westboro, second from right, displays her SkillsUSA national silver media. With her, from left, are Bryant LaFlamme, Supervisor of Cooperative Program and Placement, Kerri Baltramaitis, Assistant Director of Career and Technical Education, and SkillsUSA advisor Kelly Jenkins. (Photo Courtesy Assabet Valley Regional Vocational School District) 
Sofia Ramirez-Granick with the sculpture that won a silver medal at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. (Photo Courtesy Assabet Valley Regional School District)