SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — On April 4th and 5th, 18 students from the River Valley Technical Center (RVTC) in Springfield, Vermont traveled to Burlington, Vermont to compete in the Vermont State Chapter SkillsUSA competition. Students from culinary arts, health careers, carpentry and audio and video production participated in competitions along with approximately 1,000 other students from across Vermont.
“The atmosphere at the event was more collaborative than competitive,” said Shamus Martin, RVTC Audio Instructor. This was Martin’s first time bringing students to compete in the event and the team of Silas Holmes and Micah Cole brought back a gold medal in radio production.
In all, five RVTC students earned medals and scholarships at the competition and two teams (four students) qualified to compete in the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Kentucky from June 25 to June 29. Tanner Bischofberger and Kyle Monier from RVTC’s Video program also earned gold in television production, and Henry Watson from the carpentry program earned a bronze medal at the event.
SkillsUSA is about more than showcasing technical skills. Students gain and demonstrate leadership, problem solving, and critical thinking skills during their competitions. Students also have the opportunity to meet students from different schools and programs, network with employers and as the keynote presenter spoke about, “work on their personal brand.”
Wendy Reeves brought seven of her health careers students to the conference to compete in the CPR and medical math competitions. Students who compete build confidence in their abilities and have an experience that just cannot be replicated in a classroom. Preparing for the conference takes a great deal of determination and hard work.
Carpentry student Henry Watson said, “The competition was draining, but the whole conference was a ton of fun.” Watson earned a $1,000 scholarship to Vermont Tech and a Dewault drill set.
“I was so proud that he didn’t quit. He just kept giving it his best,” said his carpentry instructor Erin Hunter.
“I would encourage anybody who is even slightly thinking about it, to try it,” said Watson about the SkillsUSA Conference.
Students who earned a gold medal will now need to raise about $4,000 to fund their trip to the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. The public can help students reach this goal by voting for their Career Safe Student Safety video “Let’s Work Distraction Free” (the top three entries receive a $1,000 travel scholarship) which can be found on the RVTC Studios/AVP Facebook page.
You can also see and hear the winning radio and TV spots and contribute to the campaign by visiting the students’ Go Fund Me Campaigns at gofundme.com/AVPSKILLS2018 or gofundme.com/SKILLSRADIO2018.
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