MTI Students Win Most SkillsUSA Medals in the Nation for the Eighth Consecutive Year

MTI students competed in the National SkillsUSA competition held at the Crown Plaza in Kansas City, Miss.

BRADENTON -- When students execute outstanding technical skills in the classroom, it is definitely an achievement. But in the real world, uncontrollable outside factors can sometimes hinder progress and successful careers often accompany a stressful environment. When a student is able to perform under pressure, it is a true accomplishment.

At Manatee Technical Institute the pressure is part of the curriculum. All students are required to participate in an annual SkillsUSA competition to extend their talents so they incorporate healthy competition into their training. Working against the clock, students must prove their expertise in job skills for occupations such as electronics, technical drafting, precision machining, mechanical assisting and culinary arts.

”We can replicate a lot of what our students will experience in business and industry, but the stress of being your very best under pressure is a little more difficult,“ said MTI Director Dr. Mary Cantrell. ”When you compete you are really doing what a job would require.“

More than 5,700 students participate in the SkillsUSA competition annually. The event is organized into 94 separate trade, technical and leadership fields. Every year, universities and technical schools around the country compete against each other in a variety of categories. All 50 states were represented in this year’s competition as well as many territorial associations. MTI took home the most medals in the nation for the eighth consecutive year.

A high-school student competes in the plumbing section of the competition.

The contests are designed to test the skills needed for a successful entry-level performance in occupations. Leadership contests represent a variety of communications, goal setting and teamwork skills that are geared to enhance the quality of leadership, responsibility and character of the students.

”We want them to think smart on their feet, to go head to head,“ said Cantrell. ”This year we came in first, winning a total of 89 medals. Second place took home 19 – is that tacky?“ 

Winning can be a major character boost for students and a positive reinforcement for achievement. 

Recent graduate Claudia Cruz-Abrego was part of a three-person team that won a national silver medal for their community service contributions. With the help of her fellow colleagues Alma L Espinal and Diana Lopez, they dedicated over 1,000 hours to the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Project and each received a presidential award that was signed personally by President Obama. 

”For us the competition was to go out and contribute to the community, but other trades do other things in the competition. For instance, the students in the welding program actually have to weld in the competition,“ said Abrego.

Richard Grant, Andre Grant, Javier Ochoa Jr. competed on the TechPrep-Information Technology category and took home silver medals.

In the Chapter Business Procedure, students Jason Art, Christopher Ryan, Maria Virginia Tafur, Veronica L Velazquez, Talaina Williams, Kendra Anderson were required to organize an official meeting for a business or governmental entity, for example, a city commission meeting. They took home a bronze medal for their organization of the official agenda and procedure.

”I’m going into medical assisting and already in the medical administration part of that program we’ve had to do an agenda for an office meeting,“ said Debra Hancock, a member of last year's team. ”So you have to know for sure how to put together an agenda, and because of SkillsUSA I felt like I was ahead of the game.

This Year’s Winners 

Gold, American Spirit - Ashley Arcadi, Danny Berthold

Silver, Automated Manufacturing Technology - Adrian Cardin, Maria Garcia, Julio Gerbi

Silver, Building Maintenance - DaeJazalin Summers

Bronze, Chapter Business Procedure - Jason Art, Christopher Ryan, Maria Virginia Tafur, Veronica L Velazquez, Talaina Williams, Kendra Anderson

Bronze, Chapter Display- Christopher Callahan, SanJuanita Velazquez, Christopher Matthews

Silver, Community Service - Claudia E Cruz-Abrego, Alma L Espinal, Diana Lopez

Silver, Dental Assisting - Amelia Marconi

Gold, Engineering Technology/Design - consisting of Brooks E McAllister, Matthew J Mele, Steven Schmitt

Silver, Entrepreneurship - Leigh Neal, Lester Lechleitner, Whisper K Morton, Wanda J Murkerson

Bronze, Esthetics - Ibolya Wilson, Elizabeth Zapata

Bronze, Firefighting - Mike Schaapveld

Gold, First Aid-CPR - Estaban Soto

Gold, Health Knowledge Bowl - Joel Acosta, Amber Martinez, Sabra Schmidt, Linda M Stamp

Gold, Health Occupations Professional Portfolio - Leah Patten

Gold, Medical Math - Xinia Perez

Silver, Medical Terminology - Rupali G Patel

Gold, Occupational Health and Safety: Single (high school)- Shakel Albritton, Michelle I Gonzalez-Ortiz, Vanessa Preservil

Gold, Occupational Health and Safety: Multiple (high school)- Kevin Pastaurin, Michael Eiford, Donta Frazier

Gold, Occupational Health and Safety: Multiple - Holly M Bergere, Dennis Clark, Scott Walters

Gold, Occupational Health and Safety: Single - Victoria M Davis, Sebastian Serrano, Leyanna Slentz

Gold, Outstanding Chapter - Cornelius Baskin, Jack Lobo, Crystal Saunders

Silver, Sustainability Solutions - Christopher Thuringer, Kara Whitehead

Gold, TechPrep-Agricultural, Food & Natural Resources - Joevon Johnson, Julio Gaona, Michael Sabrosky

Gold, TechPrep-Arts, Audiovisual Tech & Comm. - Mary Lou Diamant, Colleen Sellers, Simon R Mayo

Gold, TechPrep-Business Management and Administration - Luisa Betancourt, Irene G Cohello-Dulaney, Oliver J Freeman

Bronze, TechPrep- Finance Services - Timmi Bradley, Rhonda Loeffler, Juan Adan

Silver, TechPrep-Government & Public Administration - Ryan Hines, James Howard, Matthew Kushto

Gold, TechPrep-Health Science -Sandra Mackey, Erin Mungavin, Danielle Murphy

Gold, TechPrep-Hospitality & Tourism - Tito Baez, Marianne Kusen, Renell Daniels

Bronze, TechPrep-Human Services - Caitlyn Johnson, Jonathan J Cole, Tammy L McEwen

Silver, TechPrep-Information Technology - Richard Grant, Andre Grant, Javier Ochoa Jr.

Silver, TechPrep-Transportation Distribution & Logistics - Juan Alvarado, Nicholas Kucharski, Abraham Resendez

Silver, Quiz Bowl - Forrest Kimball, Wendy Hurst, Marci Paradis, Kirk Williams, William Ewing