Western Center Sees Success in SkillsUSA Competition

The , located in Royersford, played host to the annual district competition of the SkillsUSA contest on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. SkillsUSA is a compilation of vocational skills and leadership competitions for vocational students across the country.

All-in-all, the Western Center kids did an outstanding job, placing in the top three in 23 categories, including 10 first place performances. Those first place students will no prepare for the state tournament, which is being held in Hershey on April 18-20.

There are eight technical schools and two post-secondary schools in the Western Center's district (District 2) according to Student Success Coordinator and SkillsUSA Advisor Cindy Prindle. Prindle, who has only been in the latter role for two years, said she took notes during last year's competition, which was held at Bucks County Technical High School.

"It went well," she said. "It was the first time I’ve done anything like this. I went to Bucks and the chairperson there showed me different aspects of it and the paperwork and how some of the competitions run. Mr. [Joe] Greb asked me if I would do this for this school for the next two years. I agreed and it was a lot of learning. It was a very good, fair assessment of all the schools that came. It was a nice roundabout number that everyone came in. It was a good showing."

Although the competition wasn't until the end of January, the preparations come far in advance. The school selects some top students at the beginning of each year to go up to Pocono Manor and go through leadership training with other vocational students in the area. They essentially learn how to run a student organization. Those students come back and have an opportunity to run for office at school against other students. A president and vice president is elected for both the morning and afternoon sessions of school at the Western Center. This is prime preparation for the leadership competitions in SkillsUSA.

Throughout the year, the students then work and study hard in their area of study and have the chance to use those skills in the competition, as well.

Although the kids have great skills both in and out of the classroom, the competition can still be tough.

"The biggest difficulty that they have to overcome is being nervous," Prindle said. "They come in and they’re anxious and they just want to get to it. When you’re nervous sometimes you don’t put your best effort forward. Some of them come back and say they should have said this or done that. It just comes with more experience."

Prindle said the students that compete are well-behaved, very energetic, and love the trade they’re in or the leadership they’re going to. Therefore, that aids in washing away some of the nervousness of competing.

Now, the 10 first place winners will prepare for the state competition by continuing to practice their specific trades and preparing for vocal presentations. If any student places first at the state competition, they will go on to nationals, held in June in Kansas City.

put out a nice showing at SkillsUSA, with five students placing first, four placing second and three placing third.

Overall, Prindle was happy to be a part of this year's competition.

"I love it," she concluded. "It’s a neat experience to see these kids get excited about the vocational school."

Top Scoring Western Center Students

1st Place

• Lauren Keller, Spring-Ford, Food and Beverage
• Chris Elsier, Lower Pottgrove, Job Skill Demo A
• Brandon Emery, Spring-Ford, Auto Service Specialization
• Tori Gerber, Upper Perkiomen, Basic Health Care
• Mark Teaford, Upper Perkiomen, Cabinetmaking
• Mike Schwartz, Lower Pottsgrove, Collision Repair Technology
• Matt Brickett, Spring-Ford, Computer Maintenance Technology
• Cynthia Brent (Lower Pottsgrove), Allison Diehl, Aaron Hansen (Spring-Ford), Crime Scene Investigation
• Kyle Latshaw, Home School, Criminal Justice
• Kayla Aughe, Upper Perkiomen, Medical Assisting

2nd Place

• Dan Clark, Spring-Ford, Employment Application Process
• Heather Romano (Lower Pottsgrove), Courtney Rittenhouse, Lauren Bonar, Kayla Myers (Upper Perkiomen), Health Occupations Bowl
• Brianna Askins, Spring-Ford, Medical Math
• Amanda Boyer, Spring-Ford, Advertising Design
• Michael Parsons, Spring-Ford, Carpentry
• Megan Mohr, Upper Perkiomen, Nursing Assistant

3rd Place

• Erin Evanick, Upper Perkiomen, Job Interview
• Kelly Westcott, Upper Perkiomen, Job Skill Demonstration Open
• Maura Bellamy, Spring-Ford, Culinary Arts
• Jessie Brickson, Spring-Ford, Diesel Equipment Technology
• Brittany Lauchner, Upper Perkiomen, Preschool Teaching Assistant
• Jessica Lawton, Spring-Ford, Residential Wiring