Winners of regional event advance to statewide SkillsUSA competition in Syracuse on April 24-26
More than 40 students showcased their abilities and technical knowledge in a diverse array of skilled trades—from culinary and nursing to heavy equipment operator and more—at the recent regional SkillsUSA competition.
Capital Region BOCES Teacher Chris Shader said the regional competition is invaluable in terms of bringing like-minded students from Eastern New York together to learn how their skills measure up against their peers, and gives students an edge when seeking jobs.
“When an employer sees that a student competed or won at SkillsUSA they know they are getting a quality employee,” said Shader.
For culinary competitor Karee Hildreth of Schalmont, the regional event is all about building skills and experience.
“I competed at SkillsUSA because I want to gain as much experience as I can before I go to college,” said Hildreth, an aspiring restaurant owner.
This year’s regional SkillsUSA medalists, their home school district and the competition they placed in are as follows:
First Place
- Connor Mickel, Sharon Springs, Criminal Justice
- Robert Dorrough, Schoharie, Precision Heavy Equipment Operator
- Joseph Pederson, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (BHBL), Auto Vehicle Maintenance
- Madelyn Tanzman, Shenendehowa, Extemporaneous Speaking
- Bryan Sidney, Voorheesville, Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC/R)
- Madison Hurley, Schalmont, Job Interview
- Tyler Blackman, Scotia-Glenville, Prepared Speech
- Megan O’Toole, Voorheesville, Restaurant Service
- Team of Thomas Cressimanno, Middleburgh, Jon Philipp, Cobleskill-Richmondville and Paiten Smith, Cobleskill-Richmondville, Crime Scene Investigation
Second Place
- Annette Domanski, Cobleskill-Richmondville, Commercial Baking
- Matt Furlong, Voorheesville, Carpentry
- Emily Elsis, Middleburgh, Precision Heavy Equipment
- Alyssa Valentina, South Colonie, Cosmetology
- Logan Berube, Mohonasen, Diesel Equipment Technology
- Angelo Carino, Guilderland, Food Prep
- Dahkeya King, Cobleskill-Richmondville, Welding
Third Place
- Sidney McClintock, Berne-Knox-Westerlo, Auto Service Technology
- Isidro Santiago, Cobleskill-Richmondville, Culinary Arts
- Robert Witzke, South Colonie, Carpenters Assistant
- Conor Metz, Cobleskill-Richmondville, Carpentry
- Tatiana Rivera-Truesell, Cohoes, Commercial Baking
- Mark Molesky, Schoharie, HVAC
- Dinesh Gobinlall, Schenectady, Welding
Fourth Place
- Patrick Hoop, Middleburgh, Auto Service Technology
- John Dolezar, Schenectady, Action Skills
- Tim DeCelle, Cohoes, Collision Repair Technology
- Taylor Lang, Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk, Culinary Arts
- Team of Emily Pinson, Bethlehem, Kierra Balir-Leak, Cohoes, Raven Bryant, Schenectady, Promotional Bulletin Board
Fifth Place
- Matthew Tyree Jr., BHBL, Automotive Service Technology
- Greg Krosky, Scotia-Glenville, Collision Repair Technology
- Zach Lawrence, Duanesburg, Criminal Justice
- Shane Campbell, CRCS, Food Service Basic
- Karee Hildreth, Schalmont, Restaurant Services
- Christina Cummings, Shenendehowa, Cosmetology
- Kevin Karlock, Niskayuna, Job Interview
- Daniel Carota, Cohoes, Related Technical Math
- Raymond Lee, South Colonie, Welding
SkillsUSA is a national organization for career and technical education students. Besides hosting the local, regional, state and national competitions, the organization promotes students’ personal and professional growth.