CTECS Students Place with High Honors at SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference

CTECS students from around the state showcased their skills and earned honors at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) held in Atlanta, Georgia on June 20-24, 2022. The conference held more than 6,500 career and technical education students from around the country and focused on 108 different trade, technical, and leadership fields. Students competed against the clock and each other in their trades such as electronics, computer aided drafting, precision machining, medical assisting, and culinary arts.

Our CTECS students earned four gold medals, one silver medal, one bronze medal, and a total of 21 top-twenty placements. According to the national statistics, the group was already considered to be in the top two percent in the nation before even entering the national event. 

Heidi Griffen, Executive Director for the SkillsUSA Connecticut Association, was impressed with the students this year, stating, “We had a very young team this year, with many underclassmen, and still came out on top. I am so proud of these students, as they overcome incredible obstacles to be a part of the team that went to Atlanta. They are not only champions from their school, but for the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System.” 

Gold Medalists

• Lauren Feinberg, Raina Kemper, Donte Palacios & Jahmir Tucker, O’Brien Tech, placed 1st in Health Knowledge Bowl

Silver Medalist

• Liam Leffler, Kaynor Tech, placed 2nd in Medical Terminology

Bronze Medalist 

• Marielle Kan, Norwich Tech, placed 3rd in Graphic Communications

Top Ten Placements

• Lindsey Ruiz, Wilcox Tech, placed 5th in Cosmetology
• Ian Snide, Norwich Tech, placed 5th in Plumbing
• Justin Cohoon, Grasso Tech, placed 6th in Technical Computer Applications
• Jacob Cohoon, Norwich Tech, placed 7th in Electronics
• Ashley Ramos, Bruno Valdivia & Katelyn Zayas, Platt Tech, placed 7th in Career Pathways Showcase
• Chelsea Fitzgerald, Wilcox Tech, placed 8th in Job Skill Demo O
• William Gifford, Norwich Tech, placed 8th in Prepared Speech
• Natalie Adkins, Joseph Moran & Alex Zayas, Platt Tech, placed 10th in Chapter Display
• Luke Reilly, Kaynor Tech, placed 10th in Job Skill Demo A

Top Twenty Placements

• Anthony Romagnano, Ellis Tech, placed 13th in Masonry
• Connor Nemeth & Logan Batista, Windham Tech, placed 14th in Cyber Security
• Benjamin Castro, Norwich Tech, placed 15th in Automotive Service Technology
• Joey-Lynn Mills, Norwich Tech, placed 15th in Customer Service
• Rachiel Cartier & Lillian Morrison, placed 15th in Community Service
• Nicholas Maccione, Oliver Wolcott Tech, placed 15th in Electrical Construction Wiring
• Brandon Toth, Platt Tech, placed 15th in CNC Turning Specialist
• Haley Cogley, Oliver Wolcott Tech, placed 17th in Culinary Arts
• Ryan O’Bern & Keven Phansri, Grasso Tech, placed 18th in Television (Video) Production
• Justin Martin, Norwich Tech, placed 19th in HVACR
• Evan Buyak, Oliver Wolcott Tech, placed 19th in Collison Repair Technology
• Jessica-Lois Quaynor, Platt Tech, placed 19th in CNC Milling Specialist