EASTERN Students Participate in SkillsUSA National Competition

Six students from Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) in Willow Grove competed in their skill areas or with their leadership proficiency at the SkillsUSA National Competitions held June 23 - 27 in Kansas City, Missouri. EASTERN student participants took third place for Chapter Display, fifth place for Automotive Refinishing Technology, and twelfth place for State Pin Design. SkillsUSA is a national student leadership organization that encourages students to be productive individuals in our democratic society, work to their potential, become responsible, be proud of their accomplishments and supportive of their community. National Competition Winners from EASTERN include:

Third Place for Chapter Display – EASTERN Commercial Art students, Alicia Dredge, a 2014 Hatboro-Horsham High School graduate; Robin Gabage, an upcoming senior at Jenkintown High School; Kevin Koerner, an upcoming senior at Springfield High School, along with Anthony Davis, EASTERN Collision Repair Technology student and upcoming Cheltenham High School senior. Chapter Display is a promotional exhibit designed and constructed by SkillsUSA student members. The display is built around and articulates a common theme established annually by SkillsUSA. The contest involves a team of students setting up the display and one student presenting information about the display in a presentation/interview with judges.

Fifth Place for Automotive Refinishing Technology - EASTERN Collision Repair Technology/2014 Upper Moreland High School graduate, Matthew Shilling. For this competition, students demonstrate their ability to perform jobs and skills based on the task list outlined by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF). The competition includes a series of workstations to assess skills in the following areas: paint tinting, spot repair, priming a plastic bumper, and masking.  The overall appearance of the finished product, speed, and proper safety practices are judged. There are written tests on estimating and an ASE exam. The students are also interviewed by the judges.

Twelfth Place for State Pin Design – Nicole Hetzel, EASTERN Commercial Art/upcoming senior at Upper Moreland High School. For this competition, students present their state-winning pin along with their artwork and participate in an oral presentation regarding all aspects of their creation of the design. The student competitors explain how the pin represents the state, its unique qualities and why another SkillsUSA student or adult member would want to wear it.

Anita Gallagher, EASTERN Commercial Art/Abington High School upcoming senior, was also present at the National Competition and elected a national officer.  EASTERN is proud to announce that Anita is the 2014 – 2015 PA State Secretary.

EASTERN is a public school serving students in Eastern Montgomery County school districts. Districts include Abington, Bryn Athyn, Cheltenham, Hatboro-Horsham, Jenkintown, Lower Moreland, Springfield, Upper Dublin and Upper Moreland. Students benefit from specialized career programs that give them a competitive edge in college or in a career.  The campus is located at 3075 Terwood Road in Willow Grove. For more information, please contact Amy Shields, Organizational Advancement Director, at 215-784-4806, or visit the school’s website at , and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/EasternCenter, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @EasternCenter.

Photo: Third Place Chapter Display winners (Top row, left to right) – Kevin Koerner and Anthony Davis; (bottom row, left to right) Robin Gabage and Alicia Dredge.