Sophomores, juniors and seniors were eligible to compete. Instructor Craig Sankey said a total of 92 students were brought to the competition, and 36 of them received medals - the most ever in the school's history of participating in SkillsUSA.
Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School in Palmer.PALMER — Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School students this year won the most SkillsUSA competition medals in the school’s 19-year history of participating in the program.
Craig Sankey, SkillsUSA advisor and an auto body instructor, said all of the school’s trade areas participated in the west district competition, which was held last month at McCann Technical School in North Adams. Sophomores, juniors and seniors were eligible to compete. Sankey said a total of 92 students were brought to the competition, and 36 of them received medals.
“That was the most we’ve ever taken,” Sankey said.
Now, the 26 gold and silver medalists will go on to the state SkillsUSA event April 26, 27 and 28 at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School in Upton. There, the students will compete for scholarships, tools and equipment. This time, the competition will be hands-on, and the students can showcase their skills, be it in the culinary arts, automotive or carpentry, just to name a few.
“It’s work day, a chance to show their skills,” Sankey said. “I’m really excited. I think we have a really good chance at placing well”
Sankey explained that during the district competition, the students competed against seven other schools. The students took two written tests, one on their trade and the other about employability and job etiquette. A 25-question test on OSHA rules was used as tie-breaker.
“The thing that really thrilled me, every shop that participated had a medalist,” Sankey said.
Those who place first in the state competition will go on to the national competition in June in Kansas City, Mo. Last year, Sankey said Jeff Nelson, of Oakham, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) student, won a gold medal at the nationals. Nelson, who graduated last year, now is a candidate for the world competition in Germany in 2013, Sankey said.
The following students received gold medals: Mike Berthiaume of Warren in industrial motor control, Kylie Brewer of Oakham in basic health care, Kyle Fish of Monson in robotics and automation, Aric Gaumond of Warren in CNC milling, Darrick Kustra of Palmer in HVAC, Colin Lynch of Monson in automotive, Alexis Malouin of Palmer in medical terminology, David Rouisse of Warren in collision repair, Ross Sbriscia of Monson in computer programming, Nicole Simulynas of North Brookfield in nail care, William Stebbins of Warren in robotics and automation, and Rache Yaeger of Ware in electronics.
Silver medals went to Mitchell Benedetti of Palmer in technical computer, Shawn Bresnahan of Belchertown in HVAC, Patrick Burbee of Palmer in web design, Jacob Carman of Monson in computer programming, Katherine Cyr of Warren in cosmetology, Corina Dembowski of Warren in medical terminology, Cory Gold of Belchertown in culinary arts, Breann Grenier of Ware in basic health care, Ryan Lavigne of Ludlow in web design, Michael Mastriani of Palmer in automotive, Brittany McLeod of Ware in web design, Jason Morin of Warren in CNC milling, McColl Rhodes of Monson in automotive refinishing, Gustavo Rodrigues of Amherst in electronics, and Jocelyn Simmons of Palmer in architectural drafting.
Receiving bronze medals were Matt Choquette of Warren in technical computer, Tom Cote of Warren in industrial motor control, Jamie Deland of Monson in basic health care, Brenda Klusman of Monson in medical terminology, Ryan Krasnecky of Ware in cabinet making, Ethan Mercier of Ludlow in CNC milling, Steve Owczarski of Belchertown in HVAC, Mary Smith of Monson in commercial baking, Ley Vuong of Palmer in office computer and Joseph Wyngowski of Belchertown in automotive refinishing.