State skills contest winners from Meridian Technology Center are getting ready to go from the classroom to the convention hall as they head for national competitions in the upcoming months.

Full-time adult and high school students attending Meridian are able to join one of several student organizations related to their field of study: Business Professionals of America; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; HOSA; or SkillsUSA.

These organizations provide students an opportunity to gain leadership skills and ultimately compete against other technology center students from across the state and nation. During each round of competition, students develop and demonstrate skills that include public speaking, presenting, working together as a team, interviewing and technical skills related to their area of study. Students in Culinary Arts also have the opportunity to participate in the ProStart skills contests that are sponsored by the National Restaurant Association.

Meridian Made Winners

Students qualifying to compete at the Business Professionals of America (BPA) national conference include Perry student Emily Grim and Stillwater students Claudia Baxter, Landon Corder, Gary Bradley, Nathan Cook, Landon Schnitzer and Andrea Pinney. These students will travel to Boston, Massachusetts, May 5-9 to compete.

Meridian will send 22 students to the national leadership and skills contest with SkillsUSA in Louisville, Kentucky, June 20-24. Students advancing include Hannah Lee, Perkins; Levi Peckenpaugh, Pawnee; Benjamin Scott, Coyle; Emily Grim, Perry; Brandon Coe, Glencoe; Morrison students Logan Wood and Jacob Madden; and Stillwater students Jason Bradshaw, Tyler Merwin, Brandon Minnick, Jonathan Eischen, Hunter Bateson, Blake Toves, Hannah Brooks, Eric Garza, Hayden Newlin, Michael Anne Bolene, Rylan Carney, Jonathan Hagerty, Christopher Brubaker, Donnavan Martin and Michael Gailey. Stillwater students Kassandra Strecker and Rebekah Peek won first place in contests that do not advance to compete at the national level. Pawnee student Faith Howell will also attend the national conference as a SkillsUSA state officer.

Tryon student Brianna Hobbs, Elissa White of Coyle, and Stillwater students Brynn Danilowicz, Jordan Dickey, Jordan Dickey will compete at the HOSA National Leadership Conference June 22-25 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Jeanie Zagar, Executive Director Career Planning Center/Career Development, attributes the number of students succeeding at the state skills contests to the dedication of students attending Meridian.

“We’ve focused on working with students to match their college and career goals with the training programs we offer at Meridian,” she said. “Our enrollment process hinges on us placing the right student in the right program for the right reason. We’ve been able to see a greater level of student retention and involvement because of this process. The number of wins Meridian students have at the state level are a true testament to their dedication as well as the training they receive in their programs.”