Future chefs, architects, drafters, masons, welders, carpenters, cabinetmakers and other students in technology fields will vie for regional honors and the opportunity to compete at the state level when Pennsylvania College of Technology hosts the SkillsUSA-VICA District 6 Skills Competition on Feb. 15.
Schools competing, in addition to Penn College, are Columbia-Montour Area Vocational Technical School, Keystone Central Area Vocational Technical School, Northern Tier Area Vocational Technical School, Northumberland County Area Vocational Technical School, Sun Area Vocational Technical School and North and South Schuylkill Career and Technology Centers.
Competition categories are: Architectural Drafting; Auto Service Technology; Carpentry; Cabinetmaking; Collision Repair; Commercial Baking; Culinary Arts; Electronics Applications; Electronics Technology; Food and Beverage Service; Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning; Industrial Motor Control; Masonry; Precision Machining; Residential Plumbing; Residential Wiring; Technical Drafting; and Welding.
Penn College students competing are: Jeremy S. Kunkel, Kutztown, Architectural Drafting; Raul Guzman, Teaneck, N.J., Auto Service Technology; Jeremy C. Rice, Landisburg, Carpentry; Ryan Garner, Spring City, Collision Repair; Jason I. Garrett, Cleona, Culinary Arts; Christopher C. Clugston, Slatington, Electronics Applications; Bruce A. Stephens, Curwensville, Electronics Technology; Joshua L. Halin, Butler, HVAC; Aaron T. Giovanni, Nazareth, Masonry; Nicholas J. Ensig, Levittown, Residential Plumbing; William J. Frick, Westline, Precision Machining; Joshua W. Hunsberger, Pottstown, Technical Drafting; and James N. Colton, Canton, Welding.
The advisers for the Penn College SkillsUSA-VICA student competitors are Edward L. Roadarmel, assistant professor of drafting and CAD technology; Dale J. Kissinger Jr., instructor of HVAC technology/plumbing and heating; and Larry B. Leavitt, associate professor of automotive technology.
SkillsUSA-VICA is a national organization serving 250,000 high-school and college students and professional members in training programs for technical, skilled, health and service occupations. Throughout the year, SkillsUSA-VICA features skill competitions at the local, regional and state levels. State champions go on to compete in the SkillsUSA Championships.
This year's SkillsUSA-VICA state competition will be held April 17-19 in Altoona.