For 39 years, the District 11 SkillsUSA championships have been running, becoming more challenging for students every year. It’s an opportunity for many contestants to work with and alongside industry representatives as the representatives judge the competitions.

The competitions allow students to be recognized and apply what they have learned in their classroom about their fields, showing off their skills to local businesses, possible second education centers and their parents and guardians. Students display their dedication by being able to concentrate on their projects while being viewed by the public, as most competitions are open to the public, and learn further lessons from their field. UGI sent 90 from the District 11 competitions to the nationals in Atlanta, Ga. UGI also sponsored the competitions, bringing in community relations manager Lori Hoffman to deliver a speech to competitors from all attending schools.

SkillsUSA is a nonprofit organization that allows students to further their professional development in technical education and partnerships. In return, the workforce and community improve.

Bethlehem Area Vocation Technical School sent 107 students to the competitions and came out with 40 medalists. First-place competitions and competitors are:

Action Skills: Tess Wenger, SV-11;

Automobile Maintenance and Light Repair: Blake Terfinko; NO-12;

Automotive Service Technology: Spencer Parker; NO-12;

Culinary Arts: Jayden Coulter; NO-12;

Cyber Security: Micah Steck; LB-12; Christopher Doyle Jr.; NO-12;

Fire Fighting Demonstration: Samuel VanNorman; SV-11;

Masonry: Ryan Freeman-Nield; FR-12;

Motorcycle Technology: George Lookenbill; SV-12;

Plumbing Jacob Kelly; SV-12;

Precision Machining Technology: Kendra Bealer; NO-12;

Technical Computer Applications: Wyatt Jones; NO-10;

Welding Sculpture: Bridget Roberts: LB-11;

Second place competition and competitors are:

Automobile Maintenance and Light Repair: Bradley Silfies; NO-11;

Automotive Service Technology: Braiden Binder; NO-12;

Automotive Refinishing Technology: Nola Rocco NO-12;

Carpentry: Ethan Destasio; FR-12;

Health Knowledge Bowl Team: Dunya Atra; FR-12; Marisa Bowman; FR-12; Janay Lamarche; FR-12; Brianna Maldonado; FR-12;

Marine Service Technology: Cole Stefano; FR-11;

Medical Terminology: Marinellys Ibanez; FR-11;

Nail Care: Neidalys Matos Rosado; FR-12;

Firefighting: Evan Snyder; NO-11;

Web Design: Isaiah Thomas: LB-11; Nazarii Lozinskiy; FB-10;

Third-place competitors and competitors are:

Advertising Design: Anjali Sookram; FR-11;

Employment Applications Process: Anush Ramin; NO-12;

Extemporaneous Speaking: Blake Jernegan; LB-10;

Graphic Communications: Christopher Hill; SV-12;

HVAC & Refrigeration: Isaac Bealer; NO-10;

Industrial Motor Control: James Frey; NO-12:

Job Skill Demonstration: Hayley Heffelfinger; SV-12;

Nursing Assisting: Yolishka Negron; NO-10;

Welding: Tanner Ault; NO-12;

Web Design: Bethany Cook; NO-12; Marz Rose; FR-12;

Culinary Arts: Breahna Frankenfield; NO-12;

Esthetics: Jomari Sotomayer; LB-11.

Contributed article