The Connellsville Area Career and Technical Center hosted competitions Thursday that were part of the SkillsUSA competition. Fifty-two students from the Connellsville school participated.
SkillsUSA provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development. Every year, the organization holds a national competition that brings together thousands of students from career and technical centers across the country after those students have succeeded at state competitions.
Yesterday, the Connellsville Area Career and Technical Center hosted the final four competitions before the state competition which will be held in Hershey on April 18, 19 and 20.
"This is a very important competition," said Kahla Daniels, a SkillsUSA advisor and a learning support teacher with Connellsville Area Career and Technical Center.
Daniels said the competition started last week at various other area schools. The local competition ended yesterday at Connellsville.
Nine schools in District Nine including Connellsville, Central West, Fayette, Greene, Mon Valley, Connelly, Somerset and Western, competed in subjects that included architectural drafting, cabinet making, cosmetology, crime scene investigation, criminal justice, dental assisting, extemporaneous speaking, firefighting, first aid/CPR, food and beverage, graphic communication, industrial motor control, masonry, medical assisting, nail care, nurse assisting, photography, plumbing, precision machining technology, quiz bowl, web design, technical drafting, etc.
Connellsville hosted commercial baking, sheet metal, HVAC and culinary arts.
"This year has been tricky with transportation," Daniels said. "But we work together for the kids."
Daniels said not only are the students excited to be involved in the competition, but the instructors are also excited.
An awards ceremony will be held today at the Connellsville school where the students will receive medals for first, second and third. Those placing first will go on to the state competition.
