LAVALLEE SYSTEMS APPRENTICE EARNS THREE GOLDS!

For Mike Moran, 2019 was a big year. Not only did he graduate from BayPath Regional Vocational Technical High School this spring, but he earned himself a few medals and lots of accolades along the way.

In his junior year, Mike participated in the SkillsUSA Teamworks competition which challenges a student group that includes a plumber, carpenter, mason and an electrician to create a mock-up of a house. His team won gold in his district, and went on to earn a silver at the state level. That early success hinted at what was to come.In Mike’s senior year he returned to the SkillsUSA competition in the plumbing competition. In that competition, “contestants “rough-in” hot and cold-water lines with copper tubing and “rough-in” 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 are pressure tested on completed projects. Professional plumbers and pipefitters judge the contestants on accuracy, workmanship, proper selection and use of tools and supplies and proper safety procedures.”In that competition Mike earned a gold medal for the district competing against 14 other students. Moving on to the state competition, Mike brought home gold again against 12 other Massachusetts plumbing students with a perfect score - a first for a Baypath student. That win sent him to the national competition in Kentucky against 34 students from across the country.

At the national competition Mike was challenged to create a mock-up of a whole house plumbing system. The two day competition totalled 8 hours. Of the 34 competitors - only 3-4 finished the project. Final scores were based on both project completion and “tolerances” -- the accuracy of the cuts and assembly. Once again, Mike brought home gold.

The WorldSkills competition will be held in 2021 in Shanghai. Mike is one of two US students being considered for the event that will feature competitors from 67 different nations. Good luck Mike!