Five Minisink Valley High School students who attend Orange Ulster BOCES’ Career and Technical Education (CTE) program were among those who earned medals at the recent SkillsUSA Area IV Regional Competitions.
Earning medals were:
Auto Collision
Third place: Joshua Whitbeck
Cosmetology Sr.
Second place: Zero Mauras
Crime Scene Investigation (team)
Second place: Jayden McKane, with Ashleigh Sharp of Chester Academy and Vanessa Godduhn of Valley Central
Criminal Justice
First place: Matthew Higby
Digital Cinema (team)
First place: Grace Fang with Esther Tanis of Chester Academy
They will advance to compete in the state competition to be held later in the year.
Elected officials including U.S. Rep. Patrick Ryan, State Senators James Skoufis and Michelle Hinchey, State Assemblyman Karl Brabenec, Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler, and Orange County Sheriff Paul Arteta were on hand to greet students and wished them well in their respective competitions.
Nearly 200 students from various high schools and BOCES facilities showcased their talents during the regional competition. The annual event featured students from technical schools and BOCES programs throughout the Hudson Valley competing in 30 events ranging from advertising design to welding.
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, educators, and industry working together to create a skilled workforce of the future. It’s a national student organization that teaches leadership and employability skills to help students succeed through the development of personal, workplace and technical skills that will connect them to career success.
SkillsUSA members have the opportunity to compete in their area competition to hone their skills in their journey to the state competition and for the top winners to go to nationals.
The Orange-Ulster BOCES Career and Technical Education Center offers technical training programs preparing students for entry level positions in many occupations and post-secondary education. The programs offered are available to high school students in grades 11 and 12 and meet high school graduation sequence requirements.