BCTC STUDENTS FARE WELL AT STATE COMPETITION


The Pennsylvania Association of SkillsUSA-VICA held its state leadership conference on April 17-19 at the Blair County Convention Center and the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center in Altoona, Pa. Approximately 1,500 students from across the commonwealth, 22 from Berks Career and Technology Center, competed in the statewide event.

Jason Solt, a Culinary Arts student at BCTC's East Campus and a Brandywine Heights Area senior, took home first place honors, winning an $11,000 renewable scholarship to Johnson and Wales University. Solt will represent BCTC at the National SkillsUSA-VICA Conference to be held in Kansas City, Mo. in June.

Silver medals were received in three different programs at BCTC's East Campus. Justin Sailor earned a second in the field of diesel technology. Joel Weller took a second place finish in principals of technology. Both students are seniors at Boyertown Area High School. Sophomore Trevor Feick, Hamburg Area High School, earned second place honors in cabinetmaking.

Steve Madenford, a junior at Schuylkill Valley High School enrolled in the Commercial Photography program at BCTC's West Campus, took a bronze medal in the commercial photography category and received $5,000 in scholarships. Kyle Barndt, a Service Occupations, East Campus student and a senior at Daniel Boone Area High School, captured a bronze medal.

Nate Heimbach, a student in Recreational & Power Equipment Technology, West Campus, and a junior from Boyertown Area High School, placed fourth in the powered equipment technology competition of SkillsUSA-VICA. Heimach received a $1,500 scholarship to Ohio Technical College.

SkillsUSA-VICA is a national vocational student organization for students enrolled in trade, industrial, technical and health occupations education courses. In order to qualify for state competition, students must participate and place in identified events in regional district competition.