Thank you BVT for this submission.
Skilled hands, strong minds, and nerves of steel were recently put to the test when nearly 175 Blackstone Valley Tech students competed in the SkillsUSA Massachusetts District V competition, winning a total of 67 medals and sweeping six categories.
SkillsUSA is the national organization for students in trade, industrial, technical and health occupations education. The recent Massachusetts District 5 SkillsUSA competition was hosted by Baypath Regional Vocational Technical High School and featured competition between nearly 800 students from six vocational technical high schools. Students from Blackstone Valley Tech won a total of 24 gold medals, 21 silver medals, and 22 bronze medals, including sweeps in the categories of Medical Terminology, Computer Maintenance Technology, Electronics Technology, Restaurant Service, and Technical Computer Applications. Junior Joseph Fitman of Northbridge was also selected as a candidate for SkillsUSA State Officer.
The intense and high pressure competitions are a great tool for preparing students to become valuable contributors to their local communities, businesses, and industries, according to SkillsUSA advisor Rebecca Corda.
“SkillsUSA boosts our students’ confidence and gives them an impressive portfolio to present to potential employers,” Corda said. “It prepares them in so many ways for the demands of the workforce. In terms of communication skills, organization, and multitasking, SkillsUSA is an extremely positive influence on Valley Tech students.”
By winning gold and silver medals, 45 Valley Tech students earned the right to compete at the upcoming statewide SkillsUSA event, where they will vie for advancement to this summer’s national competition. The school’s Team Work team was also selected for the statewide event after winning a bronze medal at the district competition. The display of skills and dedication put on by SkillsUSA participants is a victory for both the students and their future employers, according to Valley Tech Superintendent-Director Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick.
“Any student who joyfully embraces the challenge of acquiring valuable, life-changing skills will be a welcome addition to anyone’s future workforce,” said Fitzpatrick. “Hopefully, the unbelievable success of our students will help convert voters to approve our anticipated modest bond proposal to expand our vocational programming and address the growing demand for a future seat at Valley Tech.”
The following Valley Tech students were among the school’s 67 medalists at the District 5 SkillsUSA competition:
Upton
Anthony Arrigo Gold, Urban Search and Rescue
Tyler Bartlet – Gold, Carpentry
Anthony Collari -Gold, Plumbing
Garrett Dinsmore – Gold, Commercial Baking
Kaitlyn Drew – Gold , Welding Sculpture
Parker Grant – Gold, Electronics Technology
Theodore Floyd – Silver, Electronics Technology
Joshua Renfro – Silver, Diesel Equipment Technology
Makayla Tamborra – Bronze, Restaurant Service
Mendon
Jennifer Morin, Gold, Technical Drafting
Jessica Roberts – Gold, Cabinetmaking
Eric Peterson – Silver, Mobile Robotics
Michael Godowski – Bronze, Automotive Service Technology
Francesca Niro, Bronze – Basic Health Care Skills
Bellingham
Rachel Boisvert, Bronze, Cosmetology Over 500 Hours; Sarah Boisvert, Gold, Medical Terminology; Samantha Giffen, Gold, Photography; Suzanne Wright, Gold, Technical Computer Applications; Rachel DeWolfe, Silver, Photography; Nicolette Haug, Silver, Technical Computer Applications; Richard Keene, Silver, Culinary Arts; Zachary Milot, Silver, Computer Maintenance Technology.
Blackstone
Brittany Rovedo, Silver, Restaurant Service; Samuel Taylor, Silver, Collision Repair Technology.
Douglas
Benjamin Aube, Bronze, 3-D Visualization & Animation; Jordan Ayotte, Bronze, Health Knowledge Bowl; Evan LeBeau, Silver, Advertising Design; Jacob Mussulli, Bronze, Team Works; Brett Yoder, Silver, Mobile Robotics.
Grafton
Molly Fritchey, Bronze, Medical Terminology; Mikayla Henault, Bronze, Technical Computer Applications; Jacqueline Hogue, Bronze, Power Equipment Technology.
Hopedale
Brittany Firth, Silver, Cosmetology Under 500 Hours.
Milford
Owen Amour, Gold, Internetworking; George Bolosky, Gold, Diesel Equipment Technology; Philip McHenry, Silver, Architectural Drafting; Cody McPhail, Gold, Mobile Robotics; Dylan Phaneuf, Gold, Collision Repair Technology.
Millbury
Elizabeth Bouthillette, Silver, Dental Assisting; Adam Burdzel, Silver, Automotive Service Technology; Justin Duclos, Bronze, 3-D Visualization & Animation; Brooke Massicotte, Silver, Customer Service; Rebecca Rose, Gold, Restaurant Service; William Stevens, Silver, Computer Programming; Scott Swenson, Gold, Automotive Refinishing Technology; Jacob Westbury, Bronze, Team Works.
Northbridge
Dillon Arnold, Gold, Urban Search and Rescue; Nicholas Bedrosian, Bronze, Architectural Drafting; Jessica Carneiro, Bronze, Health Knowledge Bowl; Samantha Fields, Gold, Nurse Assisting; Matthew Goldstein, Gold, Computer Maintenance Technology; Jacob Moon, Gold, Industrial Motor Control; Jacob O’Donnell, Gold, Mobile Robotics; Jake Rivard, Silver, Technical Drafting.
Sutton
Jacob Bisson, Silver, Power Equipment Technology; Eric Carkin, Bronze, Electronics Technology; Lauren Mahoney, Gold, Culinary Arts; Todd Mahoney, Silver, Welding; Nicholas Orphin, Bronze, Team Works; Marc Peladeau, Gold, Welding; Brendan Scarborough, Bronze, Team Works.
Uxbridge
Daniela Rodas, Bronze, Health Knowledge Bowl; Patricia Rodas, Bronze, Health Knowledge Bowl; Nicholas Taparausky, Bronze, Diesel Equipment Technology; Joshua Trottier, Bronze, Computer Maintenance Technology; Molly Wallace, Bronze, Medical Math; Mehgan Wills, Silver, Medical Terminology.
UPTON DAILY 