Seven Career and Technical Education students are about to bring their talents to the national stage, taking part in the SkillsUSA Nationals June 24-28 in Atlanta, Georgia. Students earned the right to compete at the Nationals through their award-winning performance at the New York State SkillsUSA competition, which took place in April at the State Fairgrounds in Syracuse.
For Matthew Mason, a senior from Thousand Islands enrolled in the Motorcycle, Marine and Power Sports program, this stage is nothing new. Matthew won the NYS gold medal last year in the Power Equipment Technology competition, earning him a trip to the Nationals. He repeated his gold winning performance at the 2024 state competition to earn him a return trip to Atlanta. He is excited about going back again this year.
“Last year it was a lot of fun,” said Matthew. “Where you compete, it’s a big building and it was very cool seeing all the different competitions.”
A trio of Visual Communications students from Bohlen Tech will be heading down to Atlanta as well. They are Jaden Brapoh of Watertown, Alexia Mynch of LaFargeville, and Trent Smith of Watertown, competing in the Promotional Bulletin Board contest. The three have been working with Visual Communications instructor Mr. Bova to finalize their bulletin board in time to bring with them to Atlanta.
“It felt really good to hear our names being called at the state’s, I’m looking forward to it,” says Jaden.
“I love the fact that we’re going. We’ve been working really hard, and I love being competitive and the edge it gives you in terms of the work you do,” says Trent.
The trio’s competition entails putting together a bulletin board with design elements regarding SkillsUSA and the tag line of “No Limits”.
“Incorporating the board tagline was a challenge, but with the help of our instructor, we were able to bring all of our ideas together and make it possible.”
Attending the Nationals for the first time from the Hospitality Services program will be Star Hutcheon of LaFargeville. Star won first place in the Action Skills completion. The competition entails students demonstrating their mastering of a special skill specific to their respective career and technical education program. For Star, that is highlighting her skills at setting a table.
“I never thought I would go to the Nationals, it’s a good feeling,” says Star. “It’s given me a spark and I want to go as far as I can go.”
For Logan Petersen of the Visual Communications program, heading to the Nationals has been a great surprise. The IHC student finished second in the Advertising Design competition at the State competition, but with the first place winner unable to attend the Nationals, it has paved the way for Logan to head south to Atlanta.
“It feels pretty cool. I’m very proud of what I’ve been able to do in just one year at BOCES.”
Also attending the Nationals will be Natalya Seery of Lyme, who won first place in New York State in the Medical Math competition. The Nursing Assistant student was unavailable for interview for this article.
Good luck to all the competitors in Atlanta.
Photos of SkillsUSA Students heading to Nationals, taken during NYS Awards Ceremony
Star Hutcheon
Natalya Seery
Matthew Mason
Jaden Brapoh, Alexia Mynch, and Trent Smith
Logan Petersen
