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Jobs well done: District students achieve in Career Center programs

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Warren County Career Center SkillsUSA district level competition first place finishers (front row, from left): Desirae McMillen, Amy Strain, Zackary Ickert, Bryanna Hesslink, and Bailey Brucker. Back row: Phillip Passinger, Spencer Watson, Hana Blasco, Andrew Higby, Corry McCoy, Troy Johnson, Gavin Horner, and Caleb Eyler.

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry SkillsUSA district competition third place finishers (from left): Reese Gray, Shanna Peters, Sierra Grubbs, Abbie Buerkle, and Josh Frazier. Missing from photo is Morgan Darts. Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry SkillsUSA district competition second place finishers (from left): Cris Swanson, Jeremy Stuart, Dylan Burt, Austin Sampson, and Justin Hagberg. Missing from photo are Tristan Davis and Nick Lindsey.

Those with high expectations for the Warren County Career Center cannot be disappointed with the results from the District level SkillsUSA competition a week ago.

Warren County School District students participated in 21 of the 54 events offered at the district level.

District students took medals in 74 percent of the fields they entered. Individuals and teams took first place in seven of those 21, second place in five, and third in three. The district will be represented by 17 students at the state competition April 19 through 21 in Hershey.

That’s great for the reputation of the district.

It’s even better for students. SkillsUSA is a partnership involving students, teachers, and industry, working to ensure the country has a skilled workforce. Success at SkillsUSA means students are learning what they need to know to succeed in industry.

“SkillsUSA is an excellent opportunity for students to implement the skills they learn through their shop,” Corry McCoy, who finished in first place in electronics, said. “For myself, SkillsUSA was a chance to gauge my own abilities.”

“SkillsUSA is not only a way to improve my education in my field of work, but it builds character and provides future opportunity,” Caleb Eyler, first place in collision repair technology, said.

Eyler received extra recognition at the awards luncheon Thursday. Principal James Evers said Eyler had a perfect score at the competition.

The district’s crime scene investigation team was the defending champion, with all three members — Hana Blasco, Amy Strain, and Desirae McMillen — returning. They successfully defended their title, again moving on to the state competition with a first place finish.

“SkillsUSA has been a great experience for me,” Blasco said. “Not only have I been able to go to a couple new places, but I was able to see and experience new things and meet new people.”

“I’m happy to say that I was a part of the SkillsUSA competitions for my junior and senior years,” she said. “I would also like to thank everyone including Mr. (Ben) Lobdell for their help and support along the way.”

Several district administrators attended the luncheon and expressed their thanks and congratulations to the students and SkillsUSA Advisor Jessica Tundel.

“I hope you realize how big a deal this is,” Superintendent Amy Stewart said. “We spend an awful lot of time talking about this school and the programs that are offered here.”

The administrators invited the students to be recognized at the Feb. 13 meeting of the school board.

The first place finishers include: Eyler; Blasco, Strain, and McMillen; Andrew Higby (culinary arts); McCoy; Bailey Brucker, Troy Johnson, Bryanna Hesslink, Zackary Ickert, and Gavin Horner (Quiz Bowl); Phillip Passinger (technical drafting); and Spencer Watson (welding).

Receiving automatic invitations to the state competition were: Alex Haase (motorcycle); Ian Proctor (marine); Ian Morris (small engine); and Garrett Anderson (welding sculpture).

Second place finishers were: Tristan Davis (architectural drafting); Jeremy Stuart, Dylan Burt, and Nick Lindsey (automated manufacturing); Justin Hagberg (automotive refinishing); Cris Swanson (criminal justice); and Austin Sampson (precision machining).

Finishing with third-place medals were: Reese Gray (CNC technician); Sierra Grubbs, Shanna Peters, Abbie Buerkle, and Morgan Darts (Health Knowledge Bowl); and Josh Frazier (information technology service).

FBLA and DECA

The SkillsUSA competitions weren’t the only ones in which career center students acquitted themselves with distinction.

A luncheon was held Wednesday recognizing students in the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) programs.

A total of 12 students will represent the career center and advisors Cathie Cummings (DECA) and Beth Hornick (FBLA) at the state championships in Hershey.

Eight of the 11 FBLA qualifiers will attend states April 2 through 5.

First-place finishers were: John Bevevino (computer problem solving); Frazier (cyber security); Caitlin Reitz (graphic design); and Keely Minnis (accounting).

Bringing home second-place honors were: Michael Shingler (business communications); and Ethan Mitchel (computer problem solving).

Taking third-place medals were: Johnson (computer problem solving); Chandler Cummings (cyber security); and Mikkayla Durlin (business calculations).

In fourth-place in their respective competitions were: Curtis Lasecki (cyber security); and Jenny Johnson (accounting I).

The four DECA students moving on to states Feb. 22 through 24 are: Shingler (first place, retail merchandising); Venessa McNeal (first place, principles of hospitality and tourism); Reitz (second place, human resources); and Desiree Cann (third place, Quick Serve restaurant management).

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