First place 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

Culinary Arts students Billie Mouton, Mulhall; Mackenzie Herrmann, Agra; Rebekah Crisp, Pawnee; and Aaron Lettkeman, Stillwater, will compete in the Management Team contest at the National ProStart Invitational Tournament April 29-30 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Students qualifying to compete at the Business Professionals of America national conference include Perry student Emily Grim and Logan Wood, Morrison; and Stillwater students Rebecca Thacker, Andrea Pinney and Jessica Patterson. These students will travel to Orlando, Florida, May 10-14 to compete.

Meridian will send 18 students to the national leadership and skills contest with SkillsUSA in Louisville, Kentucky, June 19-23. Students advancing include Trayton Clinesmith, Perkins; Faith Howell and Levi Peckenpaugh, Pawnee; Alexander Ingram, Guthrie; Emily Grim, Perry; and Stillwater students Austyn Moffat, Madisyn Hicks, Laci Eckels, Adam Foulke, Kevin Shiplett, Spencer Strecker, Peyton Scott, Christopher Brubaker, Guy Major, Seth Flack, Seith Santiago, Austin Mears and Jordan Norris. Stillwater student Matthew Thomas will also attend the national conference as a SkillsUSA state officer. Stillwater student Kassandra Strecker won first place in a contest that does not advance to compete at the national level.

Guthrie student Shelby Bennett will compete at the HOSA National Leadership Conference June 21-24 in Orlando, Florida.

Perry student Savannah Rilee will compete in the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America National Leadership Conference July 2-6 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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. “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.”

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.