Over 400 students from Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School, Career Institute of Technology, Colonial Academy, Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, Monroe Career and Technical Institute and Upper Bucks County Technical School competed in 54 hands-on skill and leadership competitions at the Agri-Plex in Allentown Feb. 1.

An awards program was held Feb. 1 at Parkland High School to present medals to the winners. The gold medal winners will represent District 11 at the state competition in Hershey in April.

This year, SkillsUSA Council is partnering with post-secondary educational institutions and area businesses to award over $167,000 in scholarships and prizes to the medalists of eight competitions.

The following students took first, second or third place in the East Penn and Salisbury areas:

•Automated Manufacturing Technology, first place: Jacob Baia, LCTI, Emmaus High School

•Basic Health Care Skills, first place: Desiree Nester, LCTI, Salisbury High School

•Carpentry, first place: Zaki Al-Bajali, LCTI, Salisbury High School

•Criminal Justice, first place: Colin Brown, LCTI, Emmaus High School

•Technical Computer Applications, first place: Brandon Durrick, LCTI, Emmaus High School; second place: Cory Brunner, LCTI, Salisbury High School

•Technical Drafting, first place: Dustin Kramer, LCTI, Salisbury High School; third place: Alex Ortiz, LCTI, Southern Lehigh High School

•Automotive Service Technology, second place: Jonathan Bersier, LCTI, Emmaus High School

•Electronics Technology, second place: John Kochenberger, LCTI, Salisbury High School

•First Aid/CPR, second place: Alyssa Wygand, LCTI, Salisbury High School

•Cabinetmaking, third place: Steven Yaich, LCTI, Southern Lehigh High School

•Web design, third place, Jeffrey Reed, LCTI, Emmaus High School.