LIHUE Kapaa High School graduate Cruz Hillstrom is ready to leave for the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Competition in Lexington, Kentucky.
LIHUE — Kapaa High School graduate Cruz Hillstrom is ready to leave for the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Competition in Lexington, Kentucky.
He had his red SkillsUSA competition jacket on Wednesday afternoon when he appeared with his mentor/coach Ryne Terao to accept a “small kine” $1,000 contribution from Servco Toyota at its Lihue facility.
“Kauai Toyota has been very generous,” Terao said. “As a matter of fact, the Kauai automotive community has been gracious in stepping forward to help Cruz with his trip to Kentucky. We’ve gotten help from Napa/PS&D Kauai, Charlie King and, now, Servco Kauai.”
Hillstrom earned the trip to the SkillsUSA NLSC by ending as one of the top finishers during the competition in automotive diagnostics and repair technology, held on Oahu earlier in the year. When he unfolds his tools in Kentucky, he will be representing not only Kapaa High, but the county and state at the national competition.
“This is an investment for the Kauai automotive community,” Terao said. “Servco Kauai has helped several other SkillsUSA candidates in the past.
“This trip allows the student an opportunity to experience national level competition in automotive diagnostics and repair technology but, more importantly, keeps the pipeline open for future quality technicians for the automotive industry.”
Hillstrom was among the 200-plus graduates who made the walk Friday evening when Kapaa High hosted its graduation exercises at the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex in Kapaa.
