Three Students Win Medals in National SkillsUSA Competition

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Pennsylvania College of Technology produced three medalists during the 52nd annual National SkillsUSA Conference, held recently in Louisville, Kentucky – including a repeat gold medal-winner in the Technical Drafting category.

Topping his category – and bringing to 41 the number of first-place Penn College winners at nationals over the years – was Kyle T. Potts, of Colver, bringing home his second consecutive gold medal in the Technical Drafting competition. A student from the college’s School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies has finished first in that category in three of the past four years.

Matthew R. Bean, of McElhattan, received a silver medal in the CNC Milling Specialist category; Jerome T. Czachor, of Scranton, won a bronze in Information Technology Services.

“We are very proud of the accomplishments of all of these competitors," said David R. Cotner, dean of industrial, computing and engineering technologies. "Qualifying to compete at a national level is a clear display of their devotion to their craft and how seriously they take their education.”

In addition to the medalists, fifth-place honors were accorded to Ryan A. Gibson, of Lansdale, in Aviation; as well as to competitors in the Team Works category: Anthony J. DiBucci, of Glenshaw; Brittany A. Frey, of Forksville; Philip R. Rioux, of Middletown, Connecticut; and Aaron F. White, of Westover.

Olivia J. Hawbecker, of Chambersburg, placed sixth in Job Interview; Slavik Y. Borisov, of Lewisburg, finished ninth in Welding; and Wyatt E. Fink, of Cogan Station, placed 10th in Culinary.

“The students did a great job representing the college at this year’s competition,” said James N. Colton II, assistant professor of welding and the college’s SkillsUSA adviser. “Many of the students will be back to compete again next year.”

Potts and Borisov may even have the opportunity to compete for a spot to represent the U.S. in Dubai in October 2017 for the World Skills Contest, he said.

D. Michael Damiani, an aviation maintenance instructor at Penn College, accompanied Colton and the students to Kentucky.

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