SkillsUSA promotes leadership and career competition

BRADENTON -- SkillsUSA is a technical student career organization that helps promote leadership skills, and some Manatee High School students are skilled to compete.

Members prepare for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations.

Held at Sarasota County Technical Institute, the Region 6 Conference included Manatee students who are a part of culinary arts, television production, and construction technology at the school.

Chef Suzette Marquette, the school's culinary arts teacher, joined her students at the competition where they competed in cooking, baking, job demonstrations, action skills and "Quiz Bowl."

Some of the winners, included Ben Carpenter, first place for Extemporaneous Speaking and second place in Food and Beverage Service, Kirsten Lee, third place for Action Skills and first and second place in "Quiz bowl."

"I had a lot of fun competing since it was my first time," said Ben Carpenter, a junior high school student and the club's vice president. "We get to show what we learned and accomplished in culinary, and I'm happy that I placed in my competition because I look forward to attending states."

Other high schools attended the conference, including Southeast, Palmetto and Bayshore. But Marquette was confident about her students. It was the largest group she'd ever taken to competition, and she was very proud of their hard work.

States will be held at Manatee Technical Institute where students will compete for a chance to go to Nationals, which will be held in Kansas City, Missouri.

"Whether they placed or not, I'm proud of all my students," Marquette said. "But now that they've made it this far, it's time to really step it up for states. They'll be competing with the best of the best in Florida."

The Bradenton Times supports student journalism throughout Manatee County on Wednesdays. If you or your school would like to submit a "jr. journalist" story, please do so by e-mailing to erica.newport@thebradentontimes.com.