PRESS RELEASE by Allison Cammarata, Director of Community Services & Workforce Development, Shawsheen Valley Technical High School
March 25, 2022
Contact:
Allison Cammarata
Director of Community Services & Workforce Development
508-317-8087
acammarata@shawtech.org
Shawsheen Students win 71 medals at SkillsUSA Districts
BILLERICA – Students from Shawsheen Valley Vocational Technical High School swept the SkillsUSA District competition earning 71 medals from the event; 28 gold, 26 silver, and 17 bronze.
Shawsheen’s SkillsUSA chapter was one of seven schools taking part in the District IV regional competition held on March 17. The competition included 1023 students from Shawsheen, Greater Lowell Tech, Greater Lawrence Tech, Nashoba Tech, and Essex Tech; 155 of those students were from Shawsheen.
SkillsUSA Districts is the qualifying event for students to compete at the state competition. The district competition consists of three exams in a technical area: a written SkillsUSA Employment Skills test, a written trade knowledge test, and a written safety test.
Shawsheen had students compete in 55 out of the 89 technical occupational categories offered. Examples of technical areas include Medical Math, Automotive Refinishing, Computer Programming, CNC Turning, Power Equipment Tech, Masonry, Carpentry, and Plumbing.
Three students were interviewed about their experience at the competition.
Brooke Haley, a Tewksbury resident in Cosmetology, competed in esthetics and earned a gold medal. This achievement earned her a seat at the states in April. Haley said, “I’m excited but very nervous for states. The Cosmetology program covers hair, skin, and nails, but most of our time is spent on hair. This means I have to make time to practice esthetics and makeup artistry on my own.” Brooke is up for the challenge and plans to work with her teachers to ensure her home studies are efficient and productive. “I’m sure I will be ready to compete at states on competition day, but until then, there will never be enough time in the day to study and practice.”
Health Assisting student Michaela Vittum, a Burlington resident, competed in the Nurse Assisting competition and earned a silver medal. “I’m happy with the silver medal because it means I get to move onto the state competition,” Michaela said. “It will be an advantage for me to see what states is like as a junior, so that if I don’t place this year, I can build on my experience next year.”
Bronze medalist Brian Vitale, a Drafting student from Bedford, competed in Technical Drafting and said, “Districts is fun, but it is challenging to study for.” Vitale explained, “You have to prioritize all your other work so that you have time to study your skills for the competition.”
“It takes a lot of preparation, commitment, and practical training for students to be eligible to compete at Districts,” said Assistant SkillsUSA Advisor Karen Meister. “With such a high number of students placing at the competition, it is certainly something we are proud of.”
SkillsUSA is a national organization serving high school and college students enrolled in technical, skilled, and service training programs. The organization prepares quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship, and character development. SkillsUSA also includes competitions in which students demonstrate occupational and technical skills, which is an opportunity most vocational schools take part in.
“I am proud of our students for all their effort and commitment to the chapter,” said SkillsUSA Advisor Heidi Lloyd, “Shawsheen has a reputation of placing well at these competitions, so students feel the pressure to maintain that status. Regardless of the overall number, each medal is an accolade we hold in high regard.”
Shawsheen students who placed at Districts will continue to refine their skills and prepare for the SkillsUSA State Competition. The state competition is held in Marlboro, and generally hosts 1500 students from over 65 public schools in the commonwealth.
Shawsheen students win two SkillsUSA contests
Earlier in the year, SkillsUSA sponsored a contest for a t-shirt design and pin design for the SkillsUSA national competition. Two Shawsheen students placed in the contest. Ava Rega, a sophomore in DVC from Wilmington, won the bronze medal in the national t-shirt contest and Leslie Cota, a junior from Billerica in the graphic communications program, earned the silver medal in the national pin contest. Ava and Leslie were the first two medalists for Shawsheen for the 2021-2022 schoolyear, and were honored for their initiative and success.
About Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational School District
Established in 1965, Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational Technical School District (SVRVTSD) is a student-centered public institution serving the five member towns of Billerica, Bedford, Burlington, Tewksbury, and Wilmington. Shawsheen Valley Technical High School serves more than 1,300 students in grades 9-12 and is “Dedicated to Excellence in Education”, integrating academics with more than 20-vocational-technical career pathways.
Shawsheen is located in Billerica, MA on a sprawling 100-acre campus. The school building features state-of-the-art facilities and athletic fields, twenty-four varsity sports, and dozens of extra-curricular clubs and activities. All of Shawsheen’s faculty and staff are committed to the mission “to provide a positive learning experience in a safe educational environment that encourages all students to reach their full potential, emphasizes the value of a strong work ethic, and prepares them for adult life in a competitive world.”
Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational Technical School District also provides high-quality educational programming for youths and adults through Adult Education, Afterschool Exploratory Programs, Community Events, and Summer Camps and Enrichment Programs. Shawsheen is consistently working to increase its rich and varied programming opportunities for the community, which supports its mission that education is a lifelong, continuous process with many paths to living a successful and fulfilling life.
