Students from around Lehigh Valley and the Poconos met Jan. 30 at the Agri-Plex on the Allentown Fairgrounds to test their skills in a wide variety of skills ranging from masonry to public speaking.

Freedom HS students edged out their cross-town rivals from Liberty HS for first place wins; however, all of the Bethlehem Area School District contestants attend the Bethlehem Area Vocational Training School (BAVTS) located in Bethlehem Township.

Mikayla Bedics took first place in the nail care competition and Brandon Kutos took the gold in the residential plumbing competition.

Both can now plan to go to the state-level competition.

Thea Phalon the new (as of two months ago) executive director of the Skills USA Council in the Lehigh Valley, said the competition lets students of the various technical schools that local high school student can attend test their skills against their peers.

"It gives students the chance to compete in their skills with live demonstrations of what they have learned," Phalon explained. "It builds confidence and showcases their work."

First place winners at Thursday's completion are now headed to Hershey for the state-level competition April 9 – 11.

If they win first place at the state level, they can plan to go to the national SkillsUSA competition in Kansas City, Mo., in June.

Last year, local schools sent 14 students to Kansas City.

Every two years, according to Phalon, World Skills conducts an international competition for winners of the national-level competitions.

SkillsUSA Council is a nonprofit, 501 (c) 3, organization whose mission is to create a world-class workforce by developing partnerships among the business community and our local career and technical schools. Activities carry out ITS mission of building a better workforce by connecting businesses with future employees, helping students become better employees, and promoting a positive image of our member companies and their industries.