Career and Technical Education students from BOCES put their skills and knowledge to the test against fellow students from all across New York State, competing in the 2024 NYS SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Championship at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse April 24-26. In all, twelve students won gold, silver, and bronze medals in nine different competitions.
Seventy-three students from the Charles H. Bohlen, Jr. Technical Center in Watertown and eleven students from the Howard G. Sackett Technical Center in Glenfield took part in the competition. Six of the first place, gold medal winning students will be able to compete at the SkillsUSA Nationals, June 24-28 in Atlanta, GA. They are Star Hutcheon from LaFargeville, Matthew Mason from Thousand Islands, Jaden Brapoh from Watertown, Alexia Mynch from LaFargeville, and Trent Smith from Watertown. All attend the Bohlen Technical Center.
Also attending Nationals will be Logan Petersen from IHC. Logan finished second in the Advertising Design competition, but the 1st place winner is unable to attend the Nationals, allowing for Logan to take their place and represent New York State. Logan also attends the Bohlen Technical Center.
Marina Munn from South Lewis and the Sackett Center took first place in the Cake Decorating competition. Unfortunately, that competition is not offered at the Nationals.
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. It is a national membership organization serving middle school, high school and college/post-secondary students. Participating students are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations.
Each spring, Career & Technical Education students from across New York State gather to compete against each other in various events involving trade skills, ranging from carpentry to computers. The judges in many of these competitions are those who work in that specific field or trade.
Below is the complete list of students who won medals at the New York State competition.
Bohlen Technical Center
1st Place Gold Medal
Action Skills: Star Hutcheon (LaFargeville)
Medical Math: Natalya Seery (Lyme)
Power Equipment Technology: Matthew Mason (Thousand Islands)
Promotional Bulletin Board: Jaden Brapoh (Watertown), Alexia Mynch (LaFargeville), Trent Smith (Watertown)
2nd Place Silver Medal
Advertising Design: Logan Petersen (IHC)
3rd Place Bronze Medal
Criminal Justice: Sophia Shoen (Indian River)
Job Demonstration A: Cameron Kilbourn (Carthage)
Web Design: Caiden LaLonde (Watertown), Danielle Robinson (South Jefferson)
Sackett Technical Center
1st Place Gold Medal
Cake Decorating; Marina Munn (South Lewis)
About Jefferson-Lewis-Hamilton-Herkimer-Oneida BOCES
Jefferson-Lewis-Hamilton-Herkimer-Oneida BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) offers cost-effective shared services to 18 component school districts. These services include career and technical education course offerings as well as special education, instructional and administrative support services. BOCES also serves the continuing education needs of local business, labor and industries in the community and offers a wide range of continuing education opportunities for adult learners. Learn more at www.boces.com.