More than 4,000 high school and post-secondary college and technical students gathered in Kansas City, MO, June 21-25 for the 40th annual SkillsUSA Championship to participate in hands-on skills and leadership competitions.

The championship is the highlight of the weeklong SkillsUSA Conference and is comprised of competitions for students enrolled in trade, technical and skilled service professions. Each of the 77 competitions is designed to emphasize superior work skills, ethics, life-long education, pride, dignity and quality of work.

In an ongoing effort to support these skilled professions, Kohler Co. and its subsidiary brand Sterling became involved with the SkillsUSA Championship by donating suites of bathroom products for the 2004 plumbing championship. These products will now be used over the next five years of competition by some of the most talented student plumbers in the country.

Among the plumbing products that Kohler provided SkillsUSA are 35 sets of pedestal lavatories, shower and lavatory faucets and toilets from the company's popular Devonshire™ suite. In addition, Sterling donated its Ensemble™ 48-inch shower enclosures made of exclusive Vikrell™ material.