SkillsUSA students at Carbon Career and Technical Institute were honored for their stellar performances at the district competition with a special medal ceremony at the school on Wednesday.

CCTI participated in the District 11 competitions at Luzerne County Community College over the winter, with 25 students earning medals, though they did not get to join in the awards ceremony. In order to recognize the hard workers, CCTI’s administration and staff put together an awards show of their own.

“Normally, they have the awards ceremonies at the actual competitions. Unfortunately, with the snow this year, it seemed to interrupt the Skills competition the whole time. We decided to do this here for them so at least they would have that acceptance, and they would know what it’s like to get that award in front of everyone else,” Tammy Marshall, SkillsUSA assistant adviser, said.

Students, teachers and guests filled the restaurant dining room to see the competitors receive their hard-earned medals, with SkillsUSA adviser Kevin Kuehner, along with co-advisers Tammy Marshall and Chris Graver, doling out the awards.

“The ceremony went very well, and we appreciate the advisers putting it together,” administrative director David Reinbold said.

Marshall said that she was thrilled with her students’ performances, as the competitions function as a sort of testing ground for their abilities.

“This is my second year with SkillsUSA. I love being part of SkillsUSA with these kids, because you get to learn who they are, their personalities and their skill levels. It takes them out of school and puts them in natural environment for us to see how they’re accepting their career choices and decisions for school,” Marshall said.

Kuehner, who also serves as a Precision Machining instructor at CCTI, said that SkillsUSA is a great motivator for students to prove their abilities and prepare for the real world as well.

“I want to see them succeed. Eventually, I’m going to have to be replaced. We need people in our industry right now, and the only way to get them is to teach kids and get them interested. Skills is a big thing for them. When they win these things, it excites them,” he said.

“It really pushes them forward, helps them financially, and gets them recognition from businesses. If they put it on their application, that’s a real big deal when they see they’re number one in the state, district or, in our case, the country.”

Under Kuehner’s direction, CCTI has fared very well at SkillsUSA competitions over the past few years, making for somewhat of a dynasty.

This year, CCTI’s competitors dominated each of the four CNC competitions with first-place finishes.

Jakson Ring took the gold in the CNC Technician category this year, having finished sixth-place in last year’s National competition. Ring said that his first-place finish was thanks to the opportunities for extra education he has engaged in at CCTI.

“This year, I actually went on a co-op, so I’m out in the field instead of being in school all day. When you’re out in the field, you learn a lot of tricks, you pick up on a lot of things, you get a heck of a lot faster at your trade. You become more efficient, you almost become a machine with this stuff,” he said.

Ryanne Hoffman, who took first place in cosmetology, said that her education and dedication to her specialty helped to prepare her for the district competition.

“We had a lot of practical work due every day in class. We’re always moving. We’re always learning new things every single day. I’m always practicing on mannequins and doing my family’s hair. It’s a constant flow of new things every day,” she said.

Jason Walck, who won the first Precision Machining Competition at CCTI last year, placed first at SkillsUSA as well. Walck attributed his success to a few key elements of the CCTI Precision Machining world.

“What got me here is all the teaching from Mr. Kuehner, practicing, challenging myself, and doing anything I can to get better,” he said.

More than 50 CCTI students will be attending the state competition in Hershey from April 18 to 20 to compete in more than 20 categories. Kuehner was happy to let the winners bask in their glory for the day, but he won’t be letting them rest on their laurels.

“I tell my guys when they win districts, let your head get big for one day, and then the work starts,” he said.

Nonetheless, Kuehner and the SkillsUSA crew are happy with their top competitors, and look forward to what they’ll do in the future.

“I’m proud of the students for stepping up to compete. It takes courage. They’re good students, they like what they do, whether they’re in welding, machining, food prep, drafting or carpentry or whatever. You can tell they’re passionate about it and they like doing what they’re doing. In the real world, we need these people when they graduate.”

CCTI SkillsUSA District Competition winners

First place

Devin Strohl, Auto. Refinishing Technology

Hayden Kresge, CNC Milling Specialist

Jakson Ring, CNC Technician

Derbe Stroup, CNC Turning Specialist

Ryanne Hoffman, Cosmetology

Nathaniel Schaffer, Electronics Technology

Adrian Holthausen, Industrial Motor Control

Alejandro Aybar, Job Skills Demo A. Jonathan Dudak, Job Skills Demo. Open

Zackary Klotz, Plumbing

Jason Walck, Precision Machining

Nicholas Sabo, Technical Drafting

Second place

Libby Smith, Advertising Design

Anastasia Blihar, Architectural Drafting

Linzi Binder, Auto. Computer Estimator and Total Loss Evaluator

Avante Aybar, Commercial Baking

Troy William, HVAC and R

Justin Phillips, Information Technology Services

Angel Stilitino, Technical Computer Applications

Skyler Graver, Welding Fabrication

Wade Haydt, Welding Fabrication

Max Walters, Welding Fabrication

Third place

Zachary Schoenberger, Electrical Construction Wiring

Garrett Demkovitz, Internet working

David Oswald, Welding