Seven BCPS students qualify for national leadership and skills contests: Students to compete in national career and technical education showcase this June

TOWSON, MD— Seven students from Baltimore County public high schools earned first place in statewide SkillsUSA career and technical education contests, qualifying them for national competition this June. The qualifying students and their respective categories are:

• Pamela Amechi, Kathleen Carino, Ernie Eckenrode and Seth Fallon of Eastern Technical High School; Health Knowledge Bowl
• Jacob Badin of Western School of Technology and Environmental Science; culinary demonstration
• Ozeair Moazzam of Western School of Technology and Environmental Science; computer maintenance technology
• Janiece Yates of Western School of Technology and Environmental Science; restaurant service

The students received gold at the SkillsUSA Maryland Leadership and Skills Conference this April, where more than 1,000 competitors participated in 70 contests ranging from job skill demonstrations to on-site problem solving. The students’ placement qualifies them for the 49th Annual National Leadership and Skills Conference being held June 24 to 28, 2013 in Kansas City, Mo. Additionally, nine BCPS students received silver or bronze in the state SkillsUSA contests. These students will serve as alternates should the gold winners in their categories not attend the national competition: Silver Awards

• Abby Krabal, Candace Markiewicz and Adrienne Weston of Overlea High School; community service
• Tariq Lee and Maiya Taylor of Western School of Technology and Environmental Science; web design
• Jamal Pryor of Western School of Technology and Environmental Science; plumbing
• Sam Siegel of Western School of Technology and Environmental Science; computer programming

Bronze Awards

• Sophia Gach-Rasool of Western School of Technology and Environmental Science; pin design

The national SkillsUSA conference will bring together more than 5,000 contestants to compete in nearly 100 events showcasing career and technical education. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry professionals working together to help each student excel, fueling a skilled American workforce. For more information about SkillsUSA, go to http://bit.ly/159U0tV.Baltimore County Public Schools, the nation’s 26th largest school district, educates more than 107,000 students each year. The school system has earned a national reputation for academic rigor and student achievement for all and attracts recognition for its emphasis on college-readiness and the excellence of its high schools and fine arts instruction.