Three Students Among Medalists at National Vocational Competition

Three Pennsylvania College of Technology students were among the medalists at SkillsUSA's 47th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference held June 19-24 in Kansas City, Mo.

Placing third in their respective events were Aaron C. Dressler, Mount Pleasant Mills, Automotive Refinishing; Micah E. Hoover, Souderton, Welding; and Lewis D. Robinson, Bellefonte, Culinary Arts. Dressler is enrolled in the collision repair technology major, Hoover is a welding and fabrication engineering technology student, and Robinson is majoring in culinary arts and systems.

Their bronze medals bring to 27 the total number of Penn College students who have placed in the top three spots in national competition over the years. Placing fourth in Collision Repair was Owen R. Boyle, of Bloomsbury, N.J.

For Dressler who went as far as state competition while a student at SUN Area Technical School in 2009 bringing home a medal is proof of his personal growth.

"Since coming to Penn College, I feel like I have learned a lot, and winning bronze has showed me how far I have come since I started in the fall," he said. "I would like to thank all of the teachers at Penn College for helping me get where I am and also my high school tech teacher for helping me get started."

Dressler and his co-medalists were among 10 students from the institution who won the right to compete in Kansas City on the basis of their winning performances in state competition during the spring.

Others were Bryn F. Behrenshausen, Sinking Spring, Computer Maintenance Technology; Carl J. Burns, Sweet Valley, Aviation Maintenance Technology; Charles (Brad) Livezey Jr., Solebury, Residential Wiring; Krista M. Miller, Cleona, Architectural Drafting; Jennifer R. Seifert, Williamsport, Plumbing; and Troy C. Weimer, Cleona, Technical Drafting.

Faculty advisers for the college's SkillsUSA participants are Roy A. Klinger, instructor of automotive technology, and Edward L. Roadarmel, assistant professor of drafting and computer aided design.

SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization of more than 300,000 teachers and students high school and postsecondary who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations.

For more information about Penn College, visit online , email or call toll-free 800-367-9222.

Photos provided by Roy A. Klinger, instructor of automotive technology