While some high school students spent their summer capturing Pokémon, three students from Elk Grove High School traveled to Louisville, Kentucky to showcase their advanced manufacturing skills in the National SkillsUSA Championship.

Manufacturing students Peter Barts, Campbell Kraemer, and Jonathan Faughn competed in the Automated Manufacturing Technology category. The team found out they won first place during the competition's awards ceremony, which was streamed live to a national audience.

It took time, dedication and hard work for these students to qualify for nationals. It all started at Elk Grove High School's Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Lab, where the students were given a space to prepare hands-on. The students also had to pass a written test, then compete in the Illinois state competition, before making their way to the national championship.

For three days in June, the students flew out to Louisville, KY to go for the gold. More than 6,000 career and technical education students competed in the SkillsUSA Championship, but this year marked the first time Elk Grove High School made it to nationals.

"We are extremely proud of these students who have shown our student body what it takes to be successful," said Elk Grove Associate Principal Kyle Burritt, who also oversees the school's Career and Technical Education department. "They have put in 100 percent effort to get to this point through hard work and determination."

The 2016 Made in Elk Grove Manufacturing & Technology Expo will be showcasing Elk Grove Village's initiatives to support education in manufacturing and engineering. The award-winning manufacturing students are expected to make an appearance at the Expo during the Exhibitor Luncheon, where they will be honored for their gold status.

A Manufacturing Student Program will take place during the Expo on October 10 at Elk Grove High School starting at 3pm. The program will include a video by EdgeFactor, apprenticeship success stories, a presentation by Skill Scout, and more. In addition, attendees and exhibitors will have an opportunity to tour the Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Lab.

Special thanks to the Elk Grove High School Manufacturing and Engineering Advisory Board for making the trip to Louisville possible.

Show Peter, Campbell, and Jonathan your support by attending the Made in Elk Grove Manufacturing and Technology Expo on October 12, 2016. Connect with local manufacturers and OEMs, meet a new supplier, or maybe even snag yourself a new manufacturing intern or employee! Register for free at MadeInElkGroveExpo.com.

For information on the Made in Elk Grove Expo, contact Bernice Mirrilees at bernice@redcaffeine.com. For more information about the manufacturing students champions, contact Kyle Burritt at kyle.burritt@d214.org.