Golden Recognition- OCVTS Students Honored by Ocean County Freeholders
Jean Sullivian, June 02, 2010

Caption: SkillsUSA Gold Medal recipients gather outside the Ocean County Administration Building after the Freeholders Meeting.

OCEAN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY- Nineteen Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS) students were recently recognized by the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders for their outstanding achievements at the 2010 SkillsUSA State Competitions. The students received First Place gold medals in their career area competitions, which took place in Somerset, New Jersey, in early May. They had each qualified for the state competition through their excellent performances at the regional competition level, held earlier this year. The gold medal winners, and their advisors, will travel to Kansas City, Missouri, at the end of June, to compete in national competition. SkillsUSA is a national organization which provides quality educational experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development.

Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari, liaison to OCVTS, presented each student with a certificate and commended them on their dedication and outstanding achievements. Receiving certificates were (listed with hometown and program of study): Sarah Yeager, Toms River, Health & Fitness Technology; Frank Bentivegna, Manahawkin, Plumbing; Jake Heilbraun, Toms River, Computer Service Repair; Richard DeAngelis, Bayville, Graphic Design Technology; Drew Magierski, Toms River, Computer Science; Apolinar Gil, Toms River, Culinary Arts; Mallory Sharon, Toms River, Collision Repair; Michael Hutman, Lanoka Harbor, Law & Public Safety; Steven Kolb, Barnegat, Automotive Technology; James Szpiech, Toms River, Electrical Trades/Integrated Cabling; Joshua Wilson, Lakewood, Health & Fitness Technology; Mary Von Schmidt, New Egypt, Cosmetology; Ryan Taglang, Barnegat, MATES; Joshua Brill, Toms River, HVAC-R; Brett Higgins, Brick, Architectural/Engineering Design; Preston Hare, Jackson, Introduction to Health Careers; Zack Bauer, Manchester, HVAC-R; William Caldwell, Toms River, HVAC-R; Evan Mathiesen, Cream Ridge, Aviation Aerospace Technology.

SkillsUSA is a national organization which provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to promote the growth and development of a skilled workforce in America.