MHS Students Showcase Career Technical Skills at SkillsUSA District Contest
This month, 14 Milton Hershey School high school students developed career technical skills and tested their professional abilities at the 2019 District SkillsUSA Competition. Students competed against 22 technical schools from across Central Pennsylvania and applied their technical abilities in multiple career concentrations.
Nine students were awarded medals based on their abilities, knowledge, and sportsmanship in events like crime scene investigation, architectural drafting, and technical math.
To prepare for this year’s SkillsUSA contest, MHS staff members mentored students and held weekly training sessions for the past six months. These experiences helped students learn from professionals in their chosen field and expand on their classroom learning.
“This experience is very valuable on students’ resumes and is recognized by employers and postsecondary schools nationwide,” said Michael DeAcosta, the SkillsUSA advisor at MHS.
The following students received medals for their exceptional abilities in specialized career fields:
- Prestin Barrows— Silver medalist for Architectural Drafting
- Kloé Cunningham— Gold medalist for Crime Scene Investigation
- Davan Hanley— Silver medalist for Customer Service
- Riley Hoppe— Gold medalist for Crime Scene Investigation
- Janet-Nicole Riddick— Silver medalist for Prepared Speech
- Rachel Seymour— Gold medalist for Job Interview
- Morgan Todd— Gold medalist for Crime Scene Investigation
- Mariah Weisenmiller— Silver medalist for Related Technical Math
After receiving gold medals, MHS sophomores Kloé Cunningham, Riley Hoppe, and Morgan Todd, and MHS senior Rachel Seymour, will advance to the SkillsUSA State Championship in April. In addition, senior Matthew Ng will move on to the state level due to his exceptional abilities in Technical Drafting. If students receive a gold medal at the state level, they will advance to the National Championship.
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry professionals working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. The MHS SkillsUSA chapter is connected to the school’s award-winning Career and Technical Education program. All high school students are required to choose from one of 11 career pathways where they receive specialized courses, hands-on learning opportunities, professional workplace experience, and more than 80 industry-recognized certification opportunities. Programs like SkillsUSA provide students with additional career exposure and preparation.
Learn more about our Career and Technical Education program.