College Shines at SkillsUSA-VICA National Competition
Published 07.06.2001
Five Pennsylvania College of Technology competitors came away with first- or second-place honors recently at the SkillsUSA-VICA national championships in Kansas City, Mo.
Peter J. Hoffman, Kutztown, a May graduate in the Toolmaking Technology major, took first place in the Precision Machining Technology category.
Joshua L. Halin, Butler, a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology student, finished second in the HVAC category.
Taking second place in the Automated Manufacturing Technology category was the Penn College team consisting of students William J. Frick, Westline , Automated Manufacturing Technology; Colin G. McGrath, Warren, Manufacturing Engineering Technology; and Brent K. Oberholtzer, Elizabethtown, Manufacturing Engineering Technology.
A lso representing Penn College at the event were Jason I. Garrett, Cleona, a Culinary Arts student competing in the Culinary Arts Technology category; Zachary P. Germak, Elizabethtown, a Diesel Technology student competing in the Diesel Equipment Technology category; David R. Hale, Jersey Shore , a Carpentry student competing in the Carpentry category; Kristofer S. Kurzweg, Fleetwood, an Automotive Technology Management student competing in the Automotive Service Technology category; and James F. White Jr., Lock Haven, an Architectural Technology student competing in the Architectural Drafting category.
SkillsUSA-VICA is a national organization serving more than 245,000 high school and college students and 13,000 professional members in training programs for technical, skilled, health and service occupations. It's organized into 13,000 chapters and 54 state and territorial associations. The SkillsUSA Championships provide a showcase for the best career and technical students in the nation.
The faculty advisers for the Penn College SkillsUSA-VICA student competitors are Edward L. Roadarmel, assistant professor of drafting; Dale J. Kissinger Jr., instructor of HVAC technology/plumbing and heating; and Larry B. Leavitt, associate professor of automotive technology. Roadarmel and Kissinger accompanied the students at the competition.
"Everyone did a fantastic job," Roadarmel said. "Even the ones who did not place did a wonderful job. The competitions were very tough, and it was a fantastic experience for them all."