Eight Penn College Students to Compete at SkillsUSA Nationals
Published 04.15.2013
After gold-medal performances in recent competition, eight Pennsylvania College of Technology students will advance to the National SkillsUSA Conference from June 24-28 in Kansas City, Mo.
Winning first-place honors during the SkillsUSA Pennsylvania Leadership and Skills Conference, held April 3-5 in the Hershey Convention Center, were Robert T. Berrier Jr., of Lewistown, who competed in Technical Drafting; Samantha-Jo M. Bradley, of Middlebury Center, Commercial Baking; Randall J. Haynes, of Julian, Precision Machining; Charles B. Livezey Jr., of Solebury, Residential Wiring; Colby L. Shollenberger, of Hamburg, Diesel; Erick D. Speer, of Franklin, Welding; and Benjamin S. Welch, of State College, Internetworking.
Because there is no aviation category at the state level, separate judging was conducted during the college's Spring Open House in March. Marc T. Kaylor, of Lebanon, won that competition – and the right to represent the college at nationals with the other seven team members.
“I was happy to have eight students qualify for the national level in my first year as the SkillsUSA adviser,” said James N. Colton II, assistant professor of welding. “I expect the students will have a great showing at the national level and represent the college well. For the students that didn’t make it to nationals, it was a great learning experience, and they will be more prepared for next year.”
Penn College students who placed second in their respective categories at state competition are Evan J. Aigeldinger, of Broomall, Plumbing; Tyler R. Filipowski, of Warwick, N.Y., Automotive Service; and Thomas J. Rynearson, of Selinsgrove, Carpentry.
This year’s entrants bring to 106 the number of Penn College students who have advanced to national competition over the years; 31 won medals at that level.
For more about Penn College, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.