The winners of the 2007 residential plumbing contest, part of the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, were announced June 29 at an awards ceremony in Kansas City, Mo. Organized and co-sponsored by the PHCC Educational Foundation, the plumbing contest is one of 84 trade, technical and leadership competitions, with more than 5,000 career and technical education students competing.

The 2007 winners were:

 

  • Secondary
      - Gold: Jeff Flores, Sun Valley, Nev., Academy for Career Education
      - Silver: Nathan Adams, Syracuse, N.Y., Davis Applied Tech Center
      - Bronze: Bryan E. Fremont, Tonawanda, N.Y., Kenton Career & Technical Center, Erie 1 BOCES
  • Postsecondary
      - Gold: Devin Provencal, Skowhegan, Maine, Southern Maine Community College
      - Silver: Jason H. Dean, Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah Valley State College
      - Bronze: Tim Lind, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Kirkwood Community College
    The plumbing contestants roughed in hot and cold water lines with copper to a water heater and the sanitary drainage waste and vent lines with cast iron and PVC plastic for a water closet, a lavatory, a washer box and a floor drain. Water pipes were pressure-tested on completed projects.

    Professional plumbers and pipefitters judged the contestants on accuracy, workmanship, proper selection and use of tools and supplies, and proper safety practices. Winners received medallions and tools of their trade and/or scholarships to further their careers and educations.