SkillsUSA is a national organization serving students who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations. Competitive events begin locally and continue through state and national levels. SkillsUSA offers students the opportunity to showcase what they have learned by competing with students from other career and technology centers.

Pictured (l-r)are: front row- Griffin Bunnell, Maverick Naylor, Hunter Sherwood, Dawson Smales, Michael Dobrinski, Steven Rychlecki; stairs- Kim Houser, Thomasina Martin, Veronica Jimenez, Savannah Gleason, Chloe Haskins, Casey Staerker, Shayla Griffiths. Absent were: Andrea Lopez, Sarah Reynolds, Haleigh Novitch, Christian Good, Kassidy Cook, Joe Swart, Jenice Taluba.

The first of three district competitions was held at Johnson College on Wednesday, November 30, 2016. The Susquehanna County Career & Technology Center brought home 15 medals: 8 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze. First place district winners will go on to compete in the State Competition in Hershey, PA in April 2017. First place winners are: Veronica Jimenez (model Andrea Lopez), Nail Care; Sarah Reynolds (model Haleigh Novitch), Esthetics; Hunter Sherwood, Carpentry; Christian Good, Employment Application; Steven Rychlicki, Welding – Post Secondary; Shayla Griffiths (model Kassidy Cook), Esthetics – Post Secondary; Kim Houser (model Thomasina Martin), Nail Care – Post Secondary; Savannah Gleason, Cosmetology – Post Secondary. Second place winners are: Griffin Bunnell, Cabinetmaking; Dawson Smales, Carpentry; Maverick Naylor, Welding Sculpture; Michael Dobrinski, Welding. Third place medals went to: Joe Swart, Cabinetmaking; Jenice Taluba, Customer Service; Casey Staerker (model Chloe Haskins), Nail Care.

The idea behind the competitions is to reward students for excellence, to involve industry in directly evaluating student performance and to keep training relevant to employers’ needs.

“SkillsUSA’s goals line up with the Susquehanna County Career & Technology Center’s goals,” said Dr. Alice M. Davis, SCCTC Executive Director. “We strive to produce life-long learners, productive citizens, and responsible members of society. I am very pleased by the performance of our students at the competition. Congratulations to all of the winners and the instructors!”

EDITORS NOTE: Here are some more biographies of seniors at Susquehanna Community High School.

Lauren Soden

Lauren Michelle Soden was born on April 6, 1999. She is the daughter of Bradley and Joanna Soden, and the sister of Brandon and Cole Soden. Soden was a part of several extracurricular activities at Susquehanna Community High School including cross country, basketball, softball, track, Student Council, the Mentor Program and Prom Committee. Soden was on the 2016 Prom Court.

Soden is an honor roll student who has received awards throughout her clubs and activities. She was captain of the girls varsity basketball her junior and senior years. Some of her favorite high school memories involve bus rides to games and random car rides with friends. One of Soden’s favorite quotes is by Eleanor Roosevelt: “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.'” This is her favorite quote because it helps Soden keep pushing forward to take on the next thing that gets in her way. Her advice to the underclassmen would be to try to get to know everyone. Talking to more people will let you see so much more than just these walls.

Soden plans on attending college to major in health and physical education. She wants to eventually become a teacher.

Taylor Bennett

Taylor Bennett was born April 26, 1999. She is the daughter of Andrew and Jennifer Bennett. She’s also the oldest sister of Cortney Bennett. Bennett is a part of basketball, softball, the Community Service/ Pay it Forward Club, Envirothon, and also the Mentor Program. She has also earned the Character Award and has been on the Merit Roll for six years at Susquehanna Community High School.

Bennett’s favorite things to do are sports and volunteer within her community and local sports teams. She is mostly influenced by her parents because they are the ones who have taught her the values of being respectful and where hard work can get you. Her advice for underclassmen is to be disciplined and to work hard towards their school work. Bennett’s favorite quote is, “ The best way to predict the future is to create it (Abraham Lincoln),” She believes there are always hurdles to overcome and how you overcome them will result in what will happen next.

Bennett’s plans for college are to acquire a bachelor's in Nursing at Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, Pa.

Skyler Voege

Skyler Voege is the son of Karlyn and Richard Voege. He was born on July 30,1998 in Susquehanna and remained at Susquehanna Community School District all throughout his elementary and high school years. In his younger years, he played two years of baseball, and also did two years of Boy Scouts. Along with that, later in elementary school, he did three years of archery at Neils Archery in Endicott, NY, where he shot with his younger sister, Samantha. In seventh and eighth grade, his favorite author was James Patterson and he read a couple of his mystery books.

Skyler’s favorite class is engineering. His believes it helped him decide on what he wants to do as a career choice. He is currently on his third engineering class. He never leaves his house without his iPod, wallet, and belt. His favorite after school activity is staying home and enjoying the outdoors, especially riding his ATV.

In the future Skyler wants to head to college. He is planning on attending a college in Pennsylvania, to acquire a  bachelor's degree in computer engineering.  He is thinking about Penn State Behrend in Erie, PA.

Slone Chandler

Slone Chandler is a senior at Susquehanna Community High School. She was born May 8, 1999. She is a daughter to Melissa Marcy. Slone has two younger brothers, Cody Chandler and William Marcy and a younger sister, Selena Chandler. Slone is finishing her last year at Susquehanna living with her aunt and uncle, Trish and David Cottrell.

She is a merit and honor roll student in school. Out of school, Chandler has participated in dance and  basketball. She is currently involved in track and field, and football cheerleading. Chandler’s favorite quote is, “The prettiest smiles hide the deepest secrets. The prettiest eyes have cried the most tears and the kindest hearts have felt the most pain.” ~Unknown~ She likes this quote because it relates to her life in ways. Her favorite elementary memory is running around the art room tables playing tag with a friend and getting in trouble since everyone else was on the other side of the room listening to instructions. Chandler’s most influential person is her aunt Trish. She has always been there for her throughout her life, in the good times and the bad, and she always pushes her to do her best in everything she does.