PRINCE FREDERICK, MD - Career and Technical Education (CTE) students from the Calvert Career and Technology Academy (CTA) competed against students from across the state of Maryland at the 51st annual SkillsUSA Maryland State Championship held April 12-13, 2024 in Westminster, Md. Calvert County Public School students competed in 30 different technical and leadership competitions where 34 students earned top three honors. Individual students and teams brought home a total of 19 medals across 17 different contests.
The SkillsUSA Maryland State Championship not only provides a platform for students to demonstrate their technical expertise, but also to foster camaraderie, leadership, and professional development. Throughout the rigorous competitions, students had the opportunity to engage in hands-on challenges, teamwork exercises, and industry-standard assessments, all under the guidance of expert judges and mentors. "The hard work of our students to rise to the level of state competition is nothing short of inspirational,” stated Career and Technology Academy Principal Carrie Akins. “These students have bright futures ahead and ensure that the future of our local and regional workforce will enjoy the innovation and dedication of some of the most talented and dedicated young people possible.”
In addition to 34 students earning medals at this year’s state championships, the Calvert Career and Technology Academy SkillsUSA Chapter was named a gold-level Chapter of Excellence. This designation is given to chapters that demonstrate outstanding integration of the SkillsUSA Framework across all aspects of the educational experience. The SkillsUSA Framework is comprised of three main areas: personal skills, workplace skills, and technical skills grounded in academics.
“The recognition of how we implement the SkillsUSA framework at CTA shows our dedication to the belief that technical, professional, and personal skills are all part of a full and complete education. This recognition is a testament to the hard work of our lead
advisors Sarah Jones, Michelle Miller, and Kadesha Pleger, our student officer team, students across our 14 different programs, our industry-expert teaching staff, and the commitment, support, and mentorship of many local business partners,” said Akins.
The following Calvert County Public School students earned medals at this year’s state event:
ADVERTISING DESIGN
Silver
Cory Moyer
AUDIO RADIO PRODUCTION
Silver
Dwight Brooks
Liam McGowan
CAREER PATHWAYS SHOWCASE – AGRICULTURE (Team of 3)
Silver
Wesley Cosgrove
Olivia Eyler
Hank Valentin
CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION
(Team of 3)
Silver
Kayla Freeman
Alvani Generillo
Kathryn Phillips
CULINARY ARTS
Bronze
Allison Gallagher
ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION WIRING
Bronze
Carson McCarthy
FIREFIGHTING
Gold
Cody Davenport
Silver
Travis Winston
HEALTH KNOWLEDGE BOWL
(Team of 4)
Silver
Reagan Fruin
Moier Graham
Jaydin Johnson
Victoria Yuhase
SCREENPRINTING TECHNOLOGY
Gold
Dantae McGowan
TEAMWORKS CONSTRUCTION
(Team of 4)
Bronze
Noah Jenkins
Kira Paau-Pesquera
Kaden Walp
Andrew Wroten
INTERNETWORKING
Bronze
Alexander Hawe
JOB SKILLS DEMONSTRATION OPEN
Silver
Isabella Hickman
Bronze
Alexia West
MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
Gold
Jessica Cecil
OUTSTANDING CHAPTER
(Team of 3)
Gold
Sheala Jefferson
Alyssa Lane
Amy Ontko
PLUMBING
Bronze
Logan Roush
POWER EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGIES
Gold
Thomas Marshall
PROMOTIONAL BULLETIN BOARD
Silver
Ky DePhillip
Gabriella Evans
Jirah Tenedero
Students who earned gold medals now advance to the National SkillsUSA Championship event to be held in Atlanta, Ga. June 24-28, 2024. At the national level, more than 6,000 state champions from across the United States will compete head-to-head in 115 skilled and leadership competitions.
SkillsUSA is a national partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure a skilled work force. The organization serves more than 300,000 high school and college students, as well as professional members, nationwide. As part of the SkillsUSA program, students gain experiences in leadership, teamwork, citizenship, and character development. The organization focuses on quality of work, high ethical standards, superior work skills, lifelong education, and pride in the dignity of work.
