On Saturday, December 7, Chesapeake College proudly hosted the ABC Chesapeake Shores regional craft championship in the construction lab at the Queen Anne’s Tech Center on our Wye Mills campus. This event brought together three talented electrical apprentices, who qualified based on written exam scores, to compete for a chance to represent the region at the National Craft Championships in Las Vegas.

The competitors included:

• Alex Smith from Cook Electric, a student at Anne Arundel Community College (AACC)
• Dominic Demaio with Dawson Electric, also a student at AACC
• Zach Laird from Tieder Electric, representing Chesapeake College

During the competition, participants demonstrated both residential and commercial electrical skills in a practical challenge. Their overall scores were determined by a combination of their written and practical performance. Judges Tim Reedy, former second-place national winner of Reedy Electrical Services, and Kyle Giunta of Zilla Electric evaluated the competitors on safety, skill, and code compliance.

Dominic Demaio emerged as the winner of Saturday’s local competition and will represent ABC Chesapeake Shores at the National Craft Championships during ABC’s 75th Anniversary National Convention, February 25-27, 2025, at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Chris Garvey, President and CEO of ABC Chesapeake Shores, praised the apprentices, saying, “Having the drive to compete reflects not only a commitment to the trade but also a dedication to personal growth and excellence. These apprentices should be proud of their hard work and determination.”

This year marks the 51st year of apprenticeships supported by ABC Chesapeake Shores in Maryland. Chesapeake College was honored to host this exciting event, which celebrates the skill and dedication of the next generation of tradespeople. Congratulations to all the competitors, and best of luck to Dominic as he prepares for nationals!