SkillsUSA Florida State Leadership and Skills Conference

By Shana Wendrow, South Tech Academy

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives; working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. It helps each student excel.

SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations. It was formerly known as VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America).

South Tech Academy is a Career Academy High School in Boynton Beach which includes 13 career academies:

Automotive Service Technician
Automotive Collision and Repair
Commercial Art Technology
Culinary Arts
Cosmetology
Information Technology (Networking & Web Design)
Marine Service Technology
Medical Health Science
Motorcycle Service Technician ** NEW**
Residential Construction
Television Production
Veterinary Assisting (Including Animal Science and Services)

South Tech Academy students attended the skills conference held in Bradenton, Florida at Mantantee Technical School on April 20-22, 2009. The following is a list of South Tech Academy students who won gold, silver and bronze medals for their outstanding performance.

GOLD
Matthew Vicari for Internetworking
John VanOttern for Action Skills
Patrick Ink for Motorcycle Mechanics

SILVER
Kelly Ballard for Commercial Baking
Raven Miller for Job Skills Demo (Nursing)

BRONZE
Elliott Gonzalez for Auto Service Technology
Scott Haslam for Motorcycle Mechanics


Our gold medal winners will be traveling to Kansas City, MO in June foe National Competition to represent the State of Florida and South Tech Academy.	CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR SKILLS USA STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN REPRESENTING YOUR SCHOOL AND DISTRICT!