Five Berks Career & Technology Center seniors had a graduation moment they will not soon forget during BCTC’s Senior Recognition Ceremony.
The students, who qualified to compete at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, will miss their sending district graduation ceremonies while representing BCTC, their school districts, and Berks County on the national stage. During BCTC’s ceremony, each student received their high school diploma from a district representative, allowing them to be recognized before leaving for competition.
The special presentation was held because this year’s national SkillsUSA conference takes place during the first week of June. The competition was moved earlier than usual due to World Cup events scheduled in Atlanta later in the month, creating a conflict with several local graduation ceremonies.
The five students were given a choice: attend their high school graduation ceremony or compete at nationals.
They chose to compete.
For BCTC, the moment represented more than an adjustment to a schedule. It highlighted the commitment of students who earned a place among the top career and technical education competitors in the country and made the decision to follow through on that opportunity.
“These students made a decision that speaks volumes about their dedication,” said Dr. Michael Stuaffer, Berks Career and Technology Center Executive Director. “Graduation is an important milestone, and we are grateful their sending districts helped make sure they still had that moment. At the same time, they are heading to Atlanta because they earned the opportunity to compete at the highest level. That is something worth celebrating.”
The SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference brings together career and technical education students from across the country to compete in skilled trades, technical, and leadership competitions. Students advance to nationals after demonstrating excellence at the local and state levels.
BCTC’s Senior Recognition Ceremony celebrates graduating seniors, student achievement, scholarships, Business & Industry Achievement Awards, and accomplishments across BCTC’s career and technical programs. This year, the diploma presentation added a memorable moment to the ceremony as families, classmates, instructors, administrators, and district representatives celebrated students who are both graduating and preparing to compete nationally.
The five seniors receiving their diplomas during the ceremony were:
Owen Heimbach, Daniel Boone Area High School — Masonry, competing in Masonry
Michael Gehris Jr., Brandywine Heights High School — Plumbing & Heating, competing in TeamWorks
Madison Cambria, Exeter Township High School — Cosmetology, competing in Cosmetology
Riley Krichten, Exeter Township High School — Computerized Machining Technology, competing in CNC 2-Axis Turning Programmer
William Mays, Wyomissing Area Junior/Senior High School — Mechatronics Engineering Technology, competing in Related Technical Math
Berks Career & Technology Center congratulates these students on their graduation and wishes them the best as they represent BCTC, their sending school districts, and Berks County at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference.