Fourteen GACTC students competed in the 55th 2023 SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference Competition, which was held on Apr. 12-14 in Hershey with more than 1400 students, advisors, and administrators from career and technology schools across the state. To qualify to participate, GACTC students had to have earned Gold Medals at the district SkillsUSA competition, which was held in January.

SkillsUSA is a career and technical student organization serving more than 395,000 members every year enrolled in trade, technical, and skilled service training programs across the country. Seven GACTC students medaled in the state competition, and a GACTC student was elected as a state officer. (pictured: Nicholas Rhodes, Daniel Kelley, Rebekah Dick, Chloe Uliano, Colleen Erickson, Brenna Cokrlic, Madasin Garrison, Garrett Baumgartner).

Gold Medalists:

  • Garrett Baumgartner, Carpentry; Altoona, 12th grade. This is Baumgartner’s second year as a gold medalist.
  • Madasin Garrison, Computer Programming; Altoona, 11th grade

Silver Medalists:

  • Rebekah Dick, Prepared Speech; Hollidaysburg, 11th grade. Last year, Dick won a bronze medal in the same category. She will attend the National Leadership and Skill Competition to represent Pennsylvania, due to the gold medalist attending military training camp.
  • Colleen Erickson, Cyber Altoona, 11th grade and Chloe Uliano, Altoona, 11th grade competed as a team in Baking & Pastry Arts in the Cake Decorating category
  • Brenna Cokrlic, Baking & Pastry Arts; Altoona, 12th grade

Bronze Medalist:

  • Nicholas Rhodes, Cabinetmaking; Central, 12th grade

State Officer:

  • Daniel Kelley, 11th grade, Altoona, State Officer: Kelley, who is a Computer Programming student at the GACTC, was elected by his peers from a slate of 19 candidates to serve a year-long term as one of eight SkillsUSA officers for Pennsylvania. In this role, he will represent the state as a voting delegate at the National Conference, organize and facilitate the Central Region Leadership Workshop along with the State Leadership and SkillsUSA conference, and serve as an ambassador for business and industry for SkillsUSA Pennsylvania.

Gold medalists will compete at the national SkillsUSA competition, which is set for Atlanta this June.

“We had a wonderful experience at States in Hershey and we really enjoyed our time with the team,” said Pam Kenawell, who along with Brian Kelley serves as a SkillsUSA advisor for the GACTC. “SkillsUSA competitions allow students to showcase their skills, gain recognition for their hard work, and network with other students, educators, and industry professionals. These experiences can help students prepare for future careers in their chosen fields.”