AMTEC team competes in “Clash of Trades” national championship
News Release
Date: July 31, 2025
Contact: Darin Chase, Professional and Technical Education Instructor: dchase@everettcc.edu, 425-388-9390
Watch the reality show Aug. 6 at AMTEC
EVERETT, Wash. – Three Everett Community College students competed in the 2025 National Clash of Trades Championship in June at the Advanced Manufacturing Facility at Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, Illinois.
The competition is featured in “Clash of Trades,” a reality series produced by Project MFG. Watch the full series at youtube.com/ProjectMFG
The Everett Community College machining team pauses while preparing for the Clash of Trades competition. From left to right, Edward Smith (3D printing), River Stormo (CNC programming) and Kaedyn Blevins (CNC setup/operation).
EvCC was one of four colleges from across North America vying for a $100,000 prize and the national title in advanced manufacturing. They faced technical challenges in machining and 3D printing, working against the clock to manufacture parts that meet exacting specifications.
This year’s team included Kaedyn Blevins, Edward Smith and River Stormo, all students at EvCC’s Advanced Manufacturing, Training & Education Center (AMTEC). Stormo led CNC programming, Smith focused on additive manufacturing and 3D printing, and Blevins handled CNC machine setup and operation.
“This team has shown real dedication and skill,” said Darin Chase, machining instructor and coach. “We learned a lot from last year’s finals, and we came in better prepared and more confident.”
Kaedyn Blevins practices precision machining at Everett Community College before competing in the “Clash of Trades.”
The journey to nationals began in October 2024 with a remote qualifying round. Teams were sent project kits to complete in their own facilities, and then submitted the finished parts for judging by ZEISS Metrology. The top 16 teams advanced to regionals, where EvCC earned its spot at nationals during the April competition hosted by Bridgerland Technical College in Logan, Utah.
This year’s competition places greater emphasis on additive manufacturing. At regionals, teams were required to 3D print functional power transmission gear sets with specific model orientation, infill patterns and part accuracy.
“The national championship is a high-level showcase of student talent in advanced manufacturing,” EvCC President Chemene Crawford said. “Our team’s drive and technical skills represent the excellence we strive for at Everett Community College. We are proud to support them on this national stage.”
EvCC competed against teams from Autry Technology Center in Enid, Okla., Central Alabama College in Alexander City, Ala., and Yuba College of Manufacturing in Marysville, Calif. Students were challenged to deliver professional-grade products using both machining and 3D printing under tight time constraints and resource limits.
About EvCC AMTEC
EvCC’s Advanced Manufacturing Training and Education Center (AMTEC) is a one-of-a-kind 54,000-square-foot training facility where students train with the latest advanced manufacturing technologies, learning precision machining, mechatronics, engineering technology, composites technology, and welding and fabrication. EvCC AMTEC equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the dynamic field of manufacturing, from idea to design to manufacture and testing. Learn more at EverettCC.edu/AMTEC.
About Project MFG
Project MFG's mission is to elevate the next generation of highly skilled trade professionals by changing mindsets, fostering community preparedness, and challenging how the critical skills needed to succeed in modern advanced manufacturing are taught. Competitions provide participants hands-on experience with the latest technology and support from industry subject matter experts. Students are able to showcase their skills and prove themselves at a national level in the reality show competition, “Clash of Trades.”