February was cold, but Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School student winners were hot!

Two Northampton Area High School students — Nathan Newcomer and Julian Korpics, both seniors — placed first in the Greater Lehigh Valley Automotive Dealers Association automotive technology competition, held Feb. 17 at Northampton Community College.

With the first-place finish, Newcomer and Korpics each won a $4,000 scholarship to Northampton Community College and a full scholarship to Universal Technical Institute (a $45,000-$65,000 value depending on the courses they choose). They also won numerous hand tools and Milwaukee power tools.

Both students are cooperative education students. Newcomer is employed at Kratzer Septic Service, and Korpics works at Nazareth Ford. Their instructors are Howie Nonnemacher and Jeff Cantrel.

Several other NAHS/BAVTS students also placed first, second and third at the SkillsUSA Council District 11 competition at Ag Hall, Allentown, Feb. 4. They include the following.

NAHS

First-place winners — Isaac Bealer, grade 11, HVAC and refrigeration; Parker Haydt, grade 12, plumbing; Ryan Kocher, grade 11, electrical construction wiring; Derek Moyer, grade 11, automobile maintenance and light repair; Zander Rickert, grade 12, masonry; and Evan Ummarino, grade 11, automotive service tech

Second-place winners — Gabriel Angstadt, grade 12, Keegan Hackett, grade 12, and Hunter Hoppes, grade 12, all welding fabrication 1; Cale Bollinger, grade 11, precision machining tech; Alex DeJesus, grade 12, web design; Ben Pennington, grade 11, automated manufacturing-drafter; Nola Rocco, grade 12, automotive refinishing tech; and Bradley Silfies, grade 12, automotive service tech

Third-place winners — Elias Carrero, grade 11, mechatronics; and Taylor Sipel, grade 11, prepared speech

The competition showcased nearly 400 of the top career and technical students from Northampton, Lehigh, Monroe and Upper Bucks counties to demonstrate their abilities in 33 skilled trade competitions.

Winners will represent the region in the Pennsylvania SkillsUSA Championships in April.

Winners from other area schools are listed below.

Freedom High School

First-place winners — Emily Feijoo, grade 11, esthetics 2; John Gonzalez, grade 12, collision repair technology; Madysin Grim, grade 11, prepared speech; Yolishka Negron, grade 11, nurse assisting; Anjali Sookram, grade 12, advertising design; and Cole Stefano, grade 12, marine service technology

Second-place winners — Andie Chamberlin, grade 12, extemporaneous speaking; Madina Dostzada, grade 11, nurse assisting; Marinellys Ibanez, grade 12, medical terminology; Mark Keglovics, grade 11, plumbing; Nazarii Lozinskiy, grade 11, web design; and Xander Tavarez, grade 11, carpentry

Third-place winners — Kiara Alvarez, grade 11, nurse assisting; Halidi Asheem, grade 12, cyber security; Jurne Bather, grade 10, employment application (IEP); Prince Beck, grade 10, CNC programmer; Salima Rahman, grade 12, cyber security; Noah Rivera, grade 10, building construction; and Aubrey Simmavath, grade 11, electronics technology

Liberty High School

Second-place winners — Daniela Arroyo-Mojica, grade 12, first aid/CPR; Ian McConnell, grade 12, internetworking; Lunabelle Rivas-Alarcon, grade 10, medical math; Jazzlyn Rivera, grade 11, esthetics 1; and Bridget Roberts, grade 12, welding sculpture

Third-place winner — Jesiel Plaza, grade 11, mechatronics

Saucon Valley High School

First-place winners — Sam VanNorman, grade 12, firefighting demonstration; and Tess Wenger, grade 12, action skills

Second-place winners — Vincent Costello, grade 11, and Nicholas Kichline, grade 12, both automated manufacturing-machinist; Joel Schneider, grade 11, motorcycle service technology; and Hunter Skriletz, grade 11, CNC 3-axis milling programmer (formally CNC milling specialist)

Third-place winner — King Aris, grade 11, related technical math