SKILLED DELAWARE STUDENTS EXCEL AT AWARDS CEREMONY
On April 1, nearly 900 students, advisors, sponsors, judges, and parents from technical schools throughout the State of Delaware gathered at the 2015 Delaware SkillsUSA Grand Awards Ceremony which was held at the Modern Maturity Center in Dover. A total of 885 students participated in 63 competitive events for which the top medalists were recognized for their outstanding achievement.
“We are proud of every student who entered the competition and wish those students who were recognized for their achievement at the state level, the best of luck as they represent the First State at the National SkillsUSA Conference,” said Mark Murphy, Secretary of Education.
More than $400,000 in student scholarships and prizes was distributed from industry and academic partners including: Automotive Training Center, Burmax Company Inc., Delaware Technical Community College, DeWalt Tools, G & E Welding Supply, Universal Technical Institute, University of Northwestern Ohio, IBEW Local 313, Johnson & Wales University, Keen Gas Company, Lincoln Electric, Lowe’s, Miller Electric Manufacturing Company, New England Institute of Technology, Ohio Technical College, Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College, Snap-On Tools, Tech Prep Delaware, WyoTech and more.
Students were awarded for achievement in: Cosmetology, 3-D Visualization and Animation, Advertising Design, Architectural Drafting, Audio/Radio Production, Automated Manufacturing Technology, Automotive, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Carpentry, Chapter Business Procedure, Commercial Baking , Computer Programming, Criminal Justice, Culinary Arts, Diesel Equipment Technology, Early Childhood Education, Electronics Technology, Graphic Communications, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Industrial Motor Controls, Masonry, Plumbing, Prepared Speech, Technical Math, Robotics and Automation Technology , Technical Computer Applications, Telecommunications Cabling, Television Production, Web Design, Welding and more.
The Delaware SkillsUSA Advisor of the Year Award was presented to Mrs. Brenda Porter of POLYTECH High School and the Delaware Honorary Life Membership Award was presented to Dr. Dale Derrickson. Additionally, the Leadership Excellence Award was presented to Delcastle High School.
Delaware SkillsUSA is a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) that recognizes the importance of students, teachers, and industry partners working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. Through SkillsUSA, members have the opportunity to participate in career-focused competitive events, take part in community service work, and become leaders in the organization at the school, state, and national levels. SkillsUSA incorporates curricular and co-curricular experiences to emphasize the importance of knowledge, leadership, skill development, and teamwork.
As a part of the SkillsUSA event, the following student members were elected to serve as State Officers for the 2015 – 2016 school year:
- President – Eddie Guajardo, from St. Georges Technical High School
- Vice President – Juan Zamudio, serving for Delcastle High School
- Vice President – Ciana Santiago, serving for Hodgson High School
- Vice President – Natalia Mahecha, serving for Howard High School
- Vice President – Danielle Richards, serving for POLYTECH High School
- Vice President – Amanda Kane, serving for ST. Georges High School
- Vice President – Emily Whaley, serving for Sussex Tech High School
- Secretary – Diana Hernandez, from Delcastle High School
- Treasurer – William Voges, from Sussex Tech High School
A list of all events and finalists can be found online at: https://delawareskillsusa.org. Each first place finalist has earned the opportunity to represent Delaware at the National SkillsUSA Conference which will be held in Louisville, Kentucky on June 22-26, 2015. At the national level, our Delaware representatives will compete against nearly 6,000 other student members who have qualified from across the country in 98 separate events. More than 1,500 judges who represent all aspects of business and management sponsor the national contests.
To learn more about Delaware SkillsUSA, please visit: https://delawareskillsusa.org or contact Mike Fitzgerald by phone at: 302.735.4015 or by email at: [email protected]