Patrick Hanas, a 2008 graduate of the Franklin County Technical School, returned home exhausted from his final high school competition with a SkillsUSA national champion’s silver medal tucked away in his bags. Hanas, a Conway resident and a graduate of the Culinary Arts program, had placed 2nd in the nation within the highly competitive Action Skills event. This event brings the finest public speakers who provide live demonstrations within a trade area. Along with him was Hope Martin, a Greenfield resident who is also a 2008 graduate of the Tech School’s Culinary Arts program, competed in the Food & Beverage Service competition.

Held in Kansas City, Missouri each year, the SkillsUSA Championships is considered the largest single day of corporate volunteerism in America and can claim $33 million in industry support of donated time, equipment, cash and material during the weeklong event. All contests are run and judged by industry experts using industry’s standards for employment. Over 500 judges participated this year.

“The magnitude of this conference blew me away,” said Anthony McIntosh, co-advisor, welding and metal fabrication instructor, and alumnus of FCTS. “It was a true salute to career and technical education across America.”

The SkillsUSA Championships is for high school and college-level students who are members of the national co-curricular organization. More than 5,000 students from every state and three territories competed in 91 contests in technical, skilled, and service occupations, including health occupations this year. In order to qualify for a highly competitive event at the national competition, students must win gold medals within their state’s conference.

June 2008