On Jan. 29, more than 400 students competed in 54 hands-on skill and leadership competitions. This showcase is a unique opportunity to observe some of the most talented career and technical education students in the area.

District gold-medal winners will advance to state and national competitions. This year, the SkillsUSA Council partnered with postsecondary educational institutions to award more than $200,000 in scholarships to the medalists of 12 competitions.

The new executive director of SkillsUSA Nationals, Chelle Travis, attended the championships and spoke at the VIP luncheon at Ag-Hall at the Allentown Fairgrounds.

Employers from across the Lehigh Valley sponsored this event, seeking to cultivate the best talent in their respective fields. In addition to sponsorship, local employers donated competition materials and were on-site coordinating and judging the contests.

The Showcase of Skills included the following 32 competitions held at the Allentown Fairgrounds Agri-Plex: advertising design, architectural drafting, automobile maintenance and light repair, automotive service technology, building construction, carpentry, cosmetology, CNC milling specialist, technician and turning specialist, crime scene investigation, criminal justice, culinary arts, diesel equipment technology, electric construction wiring, electronics technology, aesthetics, first aid/CPR, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration, industrial motor control, information technology services, Internet working, masonry, motorcycle service technology, nail care, plumbing, power equipment technology, restaurant service, TeamWorks, technical computer applications, web design and welding.

Twelve leadership competitions were held at the Lehigh Valley Hotel on Route 512, and the remaining 10 competitions were held at various sites throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Contestants were from Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School, Career Institute of Technology, Lehigh Career & Technical Institute, Monroe Career & Technical Institute, Upper Bucks County Technical School and Northampton Community College (postsecondary competitors).

Title sponsors of the event included PPL Electric Utilities, Star Buick GMC, Star Buick GMC Cadillac and Star Pre-Owned, Embassy Bank for the Lehigh Valley and Associated Builders and Contractors-Eastern Pennsylvania.

SkillsUSA Council is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization with a mission to create a world-class workforce through professional development of local career and technical education students and partnerships with the local business community to support local economic and community growth in the greater Lehigh Valley.

The winner of the District 11 SkillsUSA Council designed pin was Tania Martinez, MCTI.

The winner of the District 11 SkillsUSA Council Championships program guide cover was Kaylyn Gonzalez, MCTI.

Gold, silver and bronze medals were presented at the awards ceremony at Parkland High School.