Over 400 students from six career and technical institutes competed in 54 hands-on skill and leadership District 11 SkillsUSA Showcase of Skills competitions Feb. 1 at the Agri-Plex in Allentown.

This “Showcase of Skills” provided a unique opportunity to observe some of the most talented career and technical education students in the area.

Contestants in the area were from Lehigh Career & Technical Institute, Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School, Career Institute of Technology, Colonial Academy, Monroe Career & Technical Institute, and Upper Bucks County Technical School.

Following the competition, students and their families gathered at Parkland High School to hear the results of the day’s competitions and, for the winners, to receive their medals.

The energy level was high as the students celebrated a great day of competition.

There are no losers here, just honorable competitors all of whom gave it their best.

District Gold Medal winners advance to state and potentially national competitions.

Gold medal winners will represent District 11 at the state competition in Hershey this coming April.

This year, the SkillsUSA Council partnered with post-secondary educational institutions and area businesses to award over $167,000 in scholarships and prizes to the medalists of eight competitions.

SkillsUSA Council is a nonprofit, 501(c) 3, organization whose mission is to create a world-class workforce, through professional development of local career and technical education students and partnerships with the local business community, to support local economic and community growth in the Greater Lehigh Valley.

Their activities carry out their 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.