Image: WAHS SkillsUSA Competitors
By: Jewel Dickerman
Wallenpaupack Area High School continues to showcase excellence through its participation in SkillsUSA, a national organization that allows Career and Technical Education (CTE) students to demonstrate their skills in real-world competitions.
Now in his third year as SkillsUSA advisor, Mr. Bayly has helped guide students from every academy to success. SkillsUSA is a CTSO, or Career and Technical Student Organization, where students compete in events related to their program of study. Every academy at Wallenpaupack has the opportunity to participate.
This year, twenty-two students represented Wallenpaupack in the District 1 SkillsUSA competitions, held at Johnson College on December 9 and Luzerne County Community College on January 8. Ten schools competed across the district, and first-place winners earned the opportunity to advance to the state competition in Hershey.
Five Wallenpaupack students earned first-place gold medals:
- Evan Huber – Motorcycle Technology
- Riley Petersen – Outdoor Power Equipment Technology
- Leah Klinkiewicz – Culinary Arts
- Cristopher Peet – Marine Technology
- Isabella Voto – Health Occupations Professional Portfolio
Other top finishers included:
- Kelly Hamm – Automotive Service Technology (2nd place silver)
- Jaymison Ostrowski – Building Construction (2nd place silver)
- Landon Shanaberger – Automotive MLR (3rd place bronze)
- Madelyn Carter – Baking & Pastry Arts (3rd place bronze)
- Tyler Meyers – Electronics Technology (3rd place bronze)
- Emma-Leigh Mentz – Cake Decorating (3rd place bronze)
- Sophia McGoldrick – Cake Decorating (3rd place bronze)
- Jacob Foley – Early Childhood Education (3rd place bronze)
Students who win gold at the state level will advance to the national competition in Georgia during the first week of June. Competitors at nationals represent all 50 states and have the opportunity to win prizes and recognition within their field.
Wallenpaupack’s continued success in SkillsUSA highlights the strength of its CTE programs and the dedication of its students and staff.
