BCTC STUDENTS MAKE THEIR MARK AT STATE SKILLS COMPETITION

Students from BCTC captured fifteen medals during the state leadership conference of The Pennsylvania Association of SkillsUSA-VICA. The conference was held March 31, April 1 and 2, 2003 at the Willow Valley Conference Center and the Berks Career and Technology Center. Approximately 1400 high school and adult students from across the commonwealth competed in 50 occupational and leadership skill areas at both the East and West campuses during the three-day period. All first-place winners received $2,500 scholarships from the Pennsylvania College of Technology plus additional scholarships and gifts and the opportunity to compete in the national leadership conference in Kansas City, Missouri, June 23-28, 2003. BCTC will be sending 10 students to Kansas City.

Gold medal winners from BCTC's West Campus facility included Jason D. Frankhouser, a senior in the Automotive Technology program, Lee M. Styer, a Culinary Arts senior, and Matthew A. Burkart, a junior in Information Technology Applications. All three students attend Governor Mifflin High School. Additional first place winners from the West Campus were Steven R Madenford, a Schuylkill Valley senior and a student in the Photo Imaging Technology program, Nathan D. Heimbach, a Boyertown Area senior enrolled in the Recreational & Power Equipment Technology program, and Jenna L. Luckenbill, a Tulpehocken Area senior in the Painting and Decorating program.

Gold medals were awarded to East Campus students in the following categories: Bryn S. Pelliccotti, Daniel Boone Area senior, Dental Occupations; Jesse R. Bitler, Oley Valley senior, Diesel Technology; and Jose Walker, an adult day student enrolled in the Automotive Technology program. BCTC also took gold in one of the newest competitions in the construction trades area of the conference - "TeamWorks." Medal winners were Kevin P. Cogan, Exeter Township senior, Plumbing and Heating; Joshua D. Youpa, a home-schooled senior (Kutztown Area), Building Construction Occupations; and Oley Valley seniors Darral M. Reinert, Plumbing and Heating, and Daniel G. Weiser, Carpentry.

Four students were awarded silver medals for their outstanding demonstration of skill and knowledge. They each received a $1,500 scholarship to the Pennsylvania College of Technology in addition to other awards. Zachery J. Marks, Exeter Township senior, Automotive Technology, and Jarod H. Lentz, Kutztown Area senior, Electrical Occupations, represented the East Campus. At the West Campus, silver medals were presented to Jeffrey A. Merkel, Hamburg Area junior, Computerized Machining Technology, and Elizabeth S. Johnson, a Wilson senior enrolled in Health Occupations. James A. Samuels, a Twin Valley junior enrolled in Service Occupations at the East Campus, earned a bronze medal in the building maintenance category.