FCCTI hosts regional skills competition
Patrick McDonough, a student at Uniontown Area High School, bends a pipe used for his electrical skills test during the SkillUSA regional competiton held recently at the Fayette County Career and Technical Center in Georges Township.
Roberto M. Esquivel
|Herald-Standard
Roberto M. Esquivel|Herald-Standard
Tyler Verbus, a junior at Uniontown Area High School, looks over the brick wall he constructed during the SkillUSA regional competition held recently at the Fayette County Career and Technical Center in Georges Township.
Roberto M. Esquivel|Herald-Standard
Cierra Madison, a student at Brownsville Area High School, puts the finishing touches on the hair piece she designed during the SkillUSA regional competition held recently at the Fayette County Career and Technical Center in Georges Township.
Roberto M. Esquivel|Herald-Standard
Ryan Laugherty, a sophomore at Albert Gallatin Area High School, works on his food dish during the SkillUSA regional competition held recently at the Fayette County Career and Technical Center in Georges Township.
GEORGES TWP. — Fayette County Career and Technical Center hosted a regional competition this week which gave students the opportunity to show off their skills.
For the first time in nearly 10 years, the school in Georges Township welcomed its District 9 competitors from Central Westmoreland, Connellsville, Greene County, Mon Valley, Pittsburgh Public Schools, Somerset County and Western Career and Technical Centers to take part in a SkillsUSA regional competition and demonstrate individual areas of training and study.
“It really gives (students) a chance to excel,” said Melissa McKulka, culinary arts instructor and SkillsUSA advisor for the vo-tech.
Nearly 200 students competed in more than 70 contests related to their areas of study at the vocational schools including culinary arts, commercial baking, residential wiring, cosmetology, collision repair, masonry, nurse assistant, automated manufacturing technology and welding sculpture. In addition, students can also show off knowledge and presentation ability in medical terminology, technical math and interviewing skills.
Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA) was founded 1965 as a showcase for vocational skills, leadership training, character development, citizenship and teamwork. The club changed its name in 2004 to SkillsUSA to better reflect it’s mission.
“It is the goal of SkillsUSA to work as a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives to ensure that America has a skilled workforce,” said Donna Heintz, learning facilitator for the school.
The theme of this year’s competition s “Champions at Work: Prepared with the skills America needs.” The theme ties in to the western region fall leadership conference, which is a 3-day event held at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Champion. At the event, a director of the year is selected.
Linda Murphy, executive director of Connellsville Career and Technical Center, was chosen as an administrative leader who goes above and beyond the call to make the chapter its best.
The recent SkillsUSA competition is the first round in a three-level process. Students compete regionally, gold winners advance to a state competition in April and if they achieve gold at the state level the students advance to a national competition in the summer where students compete for scholarships.
Vo-tech officials said many of the competitions are grueling, lasting three hours or more.
Ryan Laugherty, a sophomore at Albert Gallatin Area High School, competed for the first time in his specialty, culinary, where he made Cornish hen with dressing, baked potato, carrots vichy, and a cheese garlic biscuit.
“Competing is kind of fun, but it is nerve wracking,” Laugherty said.
All competitions are timed, and each student works on the same or a similar project for judging.
Judges for each category work in each particular industry. They donate their time to assist the school and the students.
“We know that each of the skills has its own difficulty, and we appreciate their hard work” said George Stockman, professional hair stylist and competition judge. “It’s important the students know proficiency, creativity and precision in any field.”
Lawrence Rossi, electrical construction instructor and SkillsUSA adviser at the vo-tech, acknowledges the value of the experience and dedication of the judges.
“They all possess years of knowledge and specific areas of expertise,” said Rossi. “Their help is invaluable.”
The level of competition is intense for the students, but they said they appreciate the opportunity to utilize the skills they have been learning throughout their time at the vocational school.
“I’ve been inspired to be part of the competition and demonstrate what I’ve learned, but I can relax now that it’s done,” said Kari Wrona, a senior at Albert Gallatin Area High School and a cosmetology student at the vo-tech.
The SkillsUSA medal winners will be announced Jan. 31.