Three Penn College Students Win Medals at SkillsUSA-VICA National Championships

Published 07.06.2000

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Student News

A trio of Pennsylvania College of Technology students captured medals in the 36th annual SkillsUSA-VICA national championships held recently in Kansas City, Mo.

Two Penn College students finished second in their events and another finished third. They were among five students from the College who earned the right to compete in the national championships by finishing first in their categories in the SkillsUSA-VICA state competition, held in Lancaster in April.

SkillsUSA-VICA is a national organization serving nearly 250,000 high school and college students and professional members in training programs for technical, skilled, health and service occupations.

Finishing second and winning a silver medal in the technical drafting category was Ryan Bingaman, McVeytown, a May graduate in the Computer-Aided Product Design bachelor-degree program.

Finishing second and winning a silver medal in the precision machining technology category was Peter J. Hoffman, Kutztown, a student in the Toolmaking Technology associate-degree program.

Finishing third and winning a bronze medal in the carpentry category was David R. Hale, Jersey Shore, a student in the Construction Carpentry certificate program.

Other Penn College participants were Andrea M. High, Annville, a student in the Baking and Pastry Arts associate-degree program who competed in the commercial baking category; and Kristofer S. Kurzweg, Fleetwood, a student in the Automotive Technology Management bachelor-degree program who competed in the automotive service technology category.

Edward L. Roadarmel, assistant professor of drafting/computer-aided drafting technology, and Dale J. Kissinger, instructor of heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology/plumbing, served as advisers for the Penn College SkillsUSA-VICA competitors, accompanying the group to Kansas City.

Marc E. Bridgens, interim assistant dean for the School of Construction and Design Technologies, praised the competitors, saying, "The skill came from them." The College, he added, helped instill the knowledge and work practices that the medalists needed to win.

"We are proud of the accomplishments of the students," Bridgens said.