Vermont career technical education (CTE) students claimed seven national medals, scholarships and a Harley Davidson Motorcycle at a national conference for skills and leadership.
SkillsUSA Vermont had 75 students attend the National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Kentucky June 18-21, 2016 for a several days of competition, motivation and opportunity. More than 6,000 students from around the United States, Guam, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia competed in 100 occupational and leadership skill areas.
Courtney Morehouse, a student at St. Johnsbury Academy, received a silver medal in Commercial Banking. She also earned a $30,000 scholarship for the New England Culinary Institute, $20,000 for Culinary Institute of America and $2,500 for Johnson and Wales University.
Noelle Cave, Katherine Doucette and Nicholas Armstrong, students at the Southwest Vermont Career Development Center, received a silver medal in the Health Knowledge Bowl. Lydia Sticker, a student at Burlington Technical Center, received a bronze medal in Basic Health Care Skills.
Green Mountain Technology & Career Center (GMTCC) student Marisa Storto earned a silver medal in Motorcycle Service Technology. Her prize included an $18,000 Harley Davidson Motorcycle that will be given to Marisa and GMTCC. The center also earned the finalist position for its work with middle school students in STEM programs.
“These high school students have spent the last year developing technical knowledge and skills and it shows. The success of these 6 students, 5 of whom are young women, is so impressive,” said Jay Ramsey, State Director for Career Technical Education. “Vermonters should be proud to know that they have such a strong public career technical education system that connects education and the workforce and that sets students on paths to college and career.”
The state’s local chapter of SkillsUSA was one of 24 finalists in the Chapter Excellence Program.
SkillsUSA programs help to establish industry standards for job skill training in the lab and classroom, and promote community service. SkillsUSA is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and is cited as a “successful model of employer-driven youth development training program” by the U.S. Department of Labor.
CTE (Career Technical Education) is Learning that works for Vermont. CTE is helping our state meet the very real and immediate challenges of economic development, student achievement and global competitiveness.