State skills contest first place 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 – Future Health Professionals; 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 national conference include Malykaii Arnold, Perry; Joseph Harrison, Pawnee; Julio Sanchez, Perkins; and Stillwater students Evalyn Harpr, Adam Foulke, Henry Rohlfing, Ian Treat-Alvarez, Courtney Sartin, Joseph Popplewell, Kaleb Stevenson, Jakob Lavicky and Rebekah Peek. These students will travel to Dallas, Texas, May 9-13 to compete. Additionally, Stillwater student Jakob Lavicky and Guthrie student Brandon Conner will attend the national conference as BPA state officers.

Meridian will send 14 students to the national leadership and skills contest with SkillsUSA in Louisville, Kentucky, June 25-29. Students advancing include Baylor Bukofzer, Guthrie; Nick McVicker, Crescent; Dylan Cates, Pawnee; Addison Frieling, Glencoe; and Stillwater students Joseph Popplewell, Kaleb Stephenson, William Anderton, Katie Carlisle, Adam Foulke, Weston Brawley, Christopher Brubaker, Spencer Deines, Guy Major and Matthew Miller.

Stillwater students Cindy Li, Alice Briene and Dillon Propst will compete at the HOSA – Future Health Professionals National Leadership Conference June 27-30 in Dallas, Texas.

Jeanie Zagar, Executive Director of Career Planning/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. “We have had 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.”

For more information or to enroll visit www.meridiantech.edu or contact a career counselor by phone at (405) 377-3333 or toll-free at (888) 607-2509.

Photo: Postsecondary students Katie Carlisle, Adam Foulke and William Anderton won first place in the SkillsUSA Crime Scene Investigation contest. They will compete at the national SkillsUSA Leadership Conference June 25-29 in Louisville, Kentucky.