Local students put their technical education on display in front of possible future employers, school representatives and judges at the SkillsUSA District 11 Championships held at the Allentown Fairgrounds Agri-Plex Jan. 30.

Students from five area technical schools competed in 51 hands-on skill and leadership competitions displaying their mastery of trades ranging from commercial baking to diesel equipment technology.

SkillsUSA Council is a nonprofit organization striving is to create a world-class workforce by developing partnerships among the business community and local career and technical schools.

"This is really the largest district partnership in the United States," Chairman of the SkillsUSA Council Board of Directors Bryan Gault said. "[Our success] is really because of our sponsors and connections with great districts."

The events at SkillsUSA were sponsored by local businesses which in many cases supplied the materials necessary for students to practice their desired trade in a competitive environment. Many of the 400 students participating in the SkillsUSA District 11 Championships will graduate high school with the foundation needed to pursue a career in the trade they selected to study at their technical school.

"They walked in as the best student from their technical center and many will walk away as the best student in their district," SkillsUSA Executive Director of the SkillsUSA Council Jennifer Smith said.

At 6:30 p.m., after all of the events were finished, students and their families went to Parkland High School to hear the results of the day's competitions and to see the winners receive their medals.

District gold medal winners advanced to state and national competitions and they will compete to receive some of the $64,100 in scholarships available to overall finalists of the competition involving more than 6,000 students.

These students from Parkland were awarded medals from SkillsUSA.

Gold Medals

·Automated Manufacturing Technology: Evan Dietrich, Zachary Bath;

·Automotive Refinishing: Brian Anthony;

Silver Medals

·Advertising Design: Valeria Cosme;

·Basic Health Care Skills: Christina Smith;

·Criminal Justice: Joshua Reichard;

·Electronics Technology: Alex Molchany;

·Residential Plumbing: Mathew Mohring;

·Residential Wiring: Devon Moyer;

Bronze Medals

·Computer Maintenance Technology: Hadrian Gable.