Penn College Students Post Top 10 Finishes at National Competition

Three Pennsylvania College of Technology students placed in the Top 10 in their respective categories during the national SkillsUSA Championships held June 17-23 in Kansas City, Mo.

Matthew A. Lamberti, a residential construction management student from Centerreach, N.Y., finished fourth in the carpentry competition; Matthew A. Treaster, a computer aided product design major from Yeagertown, placed sixth in technical drafting; and Thomas A. Hendershot, of Mill Hall, enrolled in the information technology-network specialist major, finished eighth in internetworking.

Also competing was Daniel D. Graybill, an automotive technology management student from Hanover, who, like the three others, won the right to compete nationally by placing first at state competition in March.

Faculty advisers accompanying the Penn College SkillsUSA competitors were Edward L. Roadarmel, assistant professor of drafting and CAD technology, and Dale J. Kissinger Jr., instructor of HVAC technology/plumbing and heating.

The group was joined this year by four other Penn College representatives, who took turns operating an information booth about the college: Tom Gregory, dean of construction and design technologies; Frederick W. Becker, dean of hospitality; Alfred M. Thomas, associate professor of collision repair; and admissions representative Becky J. Shaner.

"This is the first time we have ever had a display at SkillsUSA, and it was very successful in terms of the numbers of students, parents, teachers and advisers we talked to," Gregory said. "There were four of us, and we were busy, although we took time to walk around the facilities. The whole event ran like clockwork, and the people were very gracious and professional a very positive experience overall."

Since 2000, 54 Penn College students have gone on to compete at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, which features more than 4,600 competitors in 80 events. Fifteen of them have returned as medalists.

SkillsUSA is a national organization serving nearly 285,000 high school and postsecondary students and professional members in training programs for technical, skilled, health and service occupations.

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