Historic Number of Penn College Students Headed to Nationals

Seventeen first-place winners from Pennsylvania College of Technology have advanced to the 52nd annual National SkillsUSA Conference, to be held from June 20-24 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Three other students finished in the top four places in their respective categories during the SkillsUSA Pennsylvania Leadership and Skills Conference held earlier this month in Hershey.

“I feel great about the students’ performance at the state competition. It goes to show how well-prepared the students are from their respective fields and how great our instructors are here at the college,” said James N. Colton II, assistant professor of welding and the college’s SkillsUSA adviser. “This is, by far, the most diverse group of students I’ve had go to the competition. The national competition gives us a chance to showcase our technical skills and show everyone why we’re a leader in applied technology. I hope next year we can increase the number going to nationals and continue to make the college proud.”



First-place finishers, who move on to represent the college this summer, are Ian M. Dorman, of Mill Hall, Matthew R. Harman Jr., of Sellersville, and Tyler A. Schoonover, of Lake Ariel, who competed in the Automated Manufacturing Technology category; Ryan A. Gibson, of Lansdale, Aviation Maintenance Technology; Matthew R. Bean, McElhattan, CNC Milling Specialist; Christa L. Watson, of Mount Joy, Commercial Baking; Wyatt E. Fink, Cogan Station, Culinary; Jerome T. Czachor, of Dickson City, Information Technology Services; Olivia J. Hawbecker, Chambersburg, Job Interview; Eric D. Shaw, Rock Glen, Related Technical Math; Kassandra S. Sellinger, Linden, Restaurant Service; Anthony J. DiBucci, Glenshaw, Justin W. Lassik, Garnet Valley, Andrew S. Welsh, Glen Mills; Aaron F. White, Westover, Team Works; Kyle T. Potts, of Colver, Technical Drafting; and Slavik Y. Borisov, Lewisburg, Welding.

Also competing in Hershey were Penn College students Genevieve M. Kelly, of Beverly, Massachusetts, second place in Collision Repair; Philip R. Rioux, of Middletown, Connecticut, third in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning; and Brittany A. Frey, of Forksville, fourth in Automotive Refinishing.

This year’s performance raises to 139 the number of Penn College students who have gone on to national competition over the years; 40 have won medals there.

Colton was joined in Hershey by Michael K. Patterson, a colleague on the welding faculty, who headed up the Welding Art/Sculpture category. Both men were judges in that competition.

For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education and workforce development, email Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.