HAVERHILL — Whittier Tech students recently found success at the 50th SkillsUSA Massachusetts State Leadership and Skills Conference, which was held in Marlborough on April 25-27.
SkillsUSA’s State Leadership & Skills Conference (SLSC) is the largest gathering of Massachusetts’ future skilled workforce and the ultimate recognition of excellence in career and technical education. The event brought together more than 3,000 attendees, including students, instructors, industry partners, government officials, administrators and more.
Whittier Tech’s SkillsUSA program was awarded the Chapter Excellence Gold Award at Thursday night’s Opening Ceremonies. Whittier’s SkillsUSA President Sam Kesten accepted the award. Additionally, the President’s Volunteer Community Service Standard was awarded to Natalie Delano.
Competitions were held at various sites in and around Marlborough on Friday. Whittier Tech students competed in a variety of categories, including Electronics Technology, Business Marketing, and Health Occupations, among others.
At the awards ceremony on Saturday, Whittier Tech was recognized with several awards for the students’ excellent performances.
The “Team Works” team earned gold, advancing to Nationals. Members of the team included:
- David Beltre, a senior from Haverhill, carpenter
- Kenny Jimenez, a senior from Haverhill, electrician
- Silas Smith, a senior from Haverhill, mason
- Betzy Vazquez Cedeno, a senior from Haverhill, plumber
Nathaniel Shramko, a senior from Groveland, earned gold in Electronics Technology, repeating his win from last year’s State competition. Shramko will be returning to Nationals this year to compete.
Keara Maldonado, a sophomore from Haverhill, Travis Gates, a junior from Amesbury, and Molly McCadden, a junior from Haverhill, won a silver medal in the American Spirit Award competition.
The Career Pathways Business Marketing team — consisting of Owen Brannelly, a senior from Amesbury, Gabriella Ortiz, a senior from Haverhill, and Katharine Rocco, a senior from Newburyport — earned silver.
Caden Roberge, a senior from Amesbury, Thaly Espina, a senior from Haverhill, and Ethan Yagual-Issa, a senior from Amesbury, won silver for their performance as a team in the Design and Visual Communications Career Pathway.
Russell Poor, a senior from Merrimac, earned silver in Baking and Pastry, while Maddie Katzen, a senior from Georgetown, earned silver for her Health Occupations Professional Portfolio. Annie Siliker, a senior from Newburyport, won bronze in Principles of Technology.
Whitter Tech chaperones for the state competition included:
- Jane Moskevitz, Lead SkillsUSA Advisor for WT, Allied Health Instructor
- Paul Moskevitz, Vocational Coordinator
- Tish Costa, SkillsUSA Advisor for WT, Dental Assisting Instructor
- Bruce Boiselle, SkillsUSA Advisor for WT, Advanced Manufacturing Instructor
- Katie Staunton, English Instructor
- Kayla Yameen, Allied Health Instructor
- Bev Stickles, Allied Health Instructor
- Melissa Cook, Special Education Instructor
- Eli Roy, Plumbing Instructor
- Teri Bragg, English Instructor
- Kyle Wade, HVACR Instructor
- Deb Santos, English Instructor
- Kris Crovetti, Culinary Arts Instructor
- Bob Beaton, Electronics/Robotics Instructor
- Paul Debenedictis, Auto Body Instructor
- Mike Murray, Marine Technology Instructor
- Mike Sandlin, Carpentry Instructor
- John Lavigne, Carpentry Instructor
- Nancy Calverley, Cosmetology Instructor
Whittier Tech students at the 50th SkillsUSA Massachusetts State Leadership and Skills Conference. (Photo Courtesy Whittier Tech) 
Maddie Katzen, a senior from Georgetown, earned silver for her Health Occupations Professional Portfolio. (Photo Courtesy Whittier Tech) 
Members of the “Team Works” team, who earned gold, stand with Superintendent Maureen Lynch. (Photo Courtesy Whittier Tech) 
Electronics/Robotic Instructor Bob Beaton stands with Nathaniel Shramko, a senior from Groveland, who earned gold in Electronics Technology, repeating his win from last year’s State competition. (Photo Courtesy Whittier Tech) 
Whittier Tech seniors at the SkillsUSA state competition. (Photo Courtesy Whittier Tech) 
From back to front, the Career Pathways Business Marketing team — consisting of Owen Brannelly, a senior from Amesbury, Katharine Rocco, a senior from Newburyport, and Gabriella Ortiz, a senior from Haverhill — earned silver. (Photo Courtesy Whittier Tech) 
Russell Poor, a senior from Merrimac, earned silver in Baking and Pastry. (Photo Courtesy Whittier Tech)