PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. – Seven Career & Technology Academy (CTA) students recently represented Calvert County and the state of Maryland at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) and skills championships, held June 24−28, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia.
CTA students competed in five different contests representing a variety of technical and professional skills related to their Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs. The students earned the right to compete at the national level after placing first in their respective contests at the state level in April. Across the five-day event, CTA and other Maryland SkillsUSA students challenged nearly 6,000 other student champions from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
After five days of rigorous competition that included technical demonstrations, hands-on problem solving, resume submission, and interviews, six CTA students placed within the top ten in four competition areas: firefighting, power equipment technology, screen printing technology, and a competition titled “outstanding chapter,” which showcases through a presentation of artifacts and interviews the year-long efforts of the school’s student officer team to support all students at CTA in their development of professional, technical, and workplace skills.
Recognition in the outstanding chapter contest not only celebrates the work of the officer team in their leadership, preparation, and presentation, but it also commends the efforts of the school’s chapter to ensure all students have the opportunity to participate in meaningful career-development activities as an integral part of their school programs.
“We could not be prouder of the hard work of each of these dedicated students. Preparing for competition at this level takes a tremendous amount of time, effort, focus, and persistence. The results speak to just how impressive each of these young people are,” said Carrie Akins, Career and Technology Academy Principal.
SkillsUSA is a national co-curricular organization committed to supporting the professional development of students in CTE programs from middle school through post-secondary training. The organization’s mission is “to empower students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members.”
Participation in SkillsUSA is beneficial to staff and students alike and is central to CTA’s mission to prepare students for the workforce. CTA SkillsUSA lead advisor and Graphic Communications instructor, Michelle Miller, accompanied students to the national event for the first time this year. She shared, “SkillsUSA Nationals was an invaluable experience filled with professional development and inspiration. Engaging with industry professionals and staying updated on the latest trends ensures that I can provide relevant and current instruction to my students.”
An important part of SkillsUSA is the meaningful connection and partnership between school, community, and industry. “In addition to congratulating our students, I want to sincerely thank the staff at CTA who have taught, coached, mentored, and supported students in these endeavors as well as the numerous community and business partners who participated in preparing students. Our community volunteers gave time and advice in addition to financial support for these student competitors. The way everyone works together to support our CTA students is a testament to what a great community we are a part of and something everyone can be proud of,” stated Akins.
Congratulations to this year’s CTA SkillsUSA NLSC student competitors:
Cody Davenport
Firefighting – Sixth Place
Jessica Cecil
Medical Terminology
Sheala Jefferson, Alyssa Lane, and Amy Ontko
Outstanding Chapter (Team of 3) – Fifth Place
Thomas Marshall
Power Equipment Technology – Eighth Place
Dantae McGowan
Screen Printing Technology – Seventh Place
For more information about CTE programs in Calvert County Public Schools, visit https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/instruction/career-and-technical-education
