Students Recognized at SkillsUSA National Conference
Congratulations to six Penta Career Center students who were recognized at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference held June 22-26, 2015 in Louisville, Kentucky. Two students were top medals winners and they included: Josh Blochowski (Maumee), from the Culinary Arts program, who earned a silver medal or second place in the United States for the Culinary Arts contest; and Eric Kurtz (Oak Harbor), from the Construction Masonry program, who earned a bronze medal or third place in the United States for the Masonry contest. Blochowski received $34,000 in college scholarships and Kurtz received an IPad Mini, a Lowe’s gift card and construction tools.
The following Culinary Arts students earned 4th place as a team in the Entrepreneurship contest and they included: Jacob Malone (Swanton), Katelyn Rhodes (Eastwood) and Cassidy Steinline (Perrysburg). Also earning fourth place in the United States was Alex Moore (Eastwood), from the Automotive Collision Repair program, for the Collision Repair contest.
In addition, five seniors from Penta’s Public Safety/Criminal Justice program were recognized with the President’s Volunteer Service Award. The students included: Nelson Deschamps (Perrysburg), Jonathan Faneuff (Genoa), Robert Peppers (Anthony Wayne), Frank Nicely (Anthony Wayne), and Skyler Lynn (Oak Harbor). Faneuff attended the national conference to accept the awards on behalf of his classmates. The President’s Volunteer Service Award was presented to these students because they volunteered individually either 150 or 250 hours to community service projects over the course of one year. They received an official lapel pin, a personalized certificate of achievement and a congratulatory letter from President Barack Obama.
SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations. The organization provides quality educational experiences such as leadership, teamwork, citizenship, and character development skills.