One hundred Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS) students competed at the New Jersey SkillsUSA Championships, which took place on Saturdays throughout March and April at locations in Ocean, Gloucester, Essex, Cumberland, and Somerset Counties, New Jersey. In addition to the vocational school sites, various SkillsUSA competitions were also hosted at the N.E. Carpenters Apprentice Training Center in Edison, the Flemington Fairgrounds in Flemington, Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in Bloomfield, the Mercedes-Benz Training Center in Robbinsville, and Iron Workers Local 399 in Hammonton, New Jersey. SkillsUSA is a national organization that provides quality educational experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship, and character development.

The students competed in over 39 different career-skills events against other high school and post-secondary students from all regions of New Jersey. The Awards Ceremony was held at Morris Knolls High School, Denville, New Jersey, Sunday, April 12, 2025 where winners were announced for all events. OCVTS students received an astounding 29 medals overall; 8 gold, 13 silver and 8 bronze.

Many of the gold medal winners are now eligible to advance to the Annual SkillsUSA National Competition/Conference which will be held in Atlanta, Georgia at the end of June. As per the official website, skillsusa.org, the Conference is a showcase of career and technical education students. More than 12,000 people – including students, teachers and business partners – are expected to participate in the weeklong event. In addition to the actual competitions, students participate in individual, group and interactive leadership training activities. More than 6,500 career and technical education students, all state contest winners, will compete hands-on in 114 different trade, technical and leadership fields. The week’s events culminate with the Awards Ceremony, where many of the nation’s top finishers will receive scholarships, tools, computers or other prizes related to their career fields in addition to their medals and national recognition.

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS, THEIR PROGRAMS OF STUDY AND HOMETOWN:
Briana Naden, Design and Visual Communications, Forked River (Screen Printing); Melanye Perez, Design and Visual Communications, Brick, (Photography); Ryann Meehan, MATES, Barnegat (Job Interview) Jeffrey Ni, MATES, Brick Memorial (Related Technical Math); Autumn Santana, Cosmetology, Lanoka Harbor (Cosmetology-Post Secondary); Max Bass, Marine Service Technology, Point Pleasant (Marine Service Technology); Jocelyn Rosendo Rodriguez, Cosmetology, Lakewood (Manikin Fantasy Makeup- Post Secondary); Dominic Messina, Building Construction Technology, Toms River (Carpentry & Basic Construction)

SILVER MEDAL WINNERS, THEIR PROGRAMS OF STUDY AND HOMETOWN:
Alexsandra Castillo, Cosmetology, Brick (Cosmetology- Post Secondary); John Ryan, Automotive Technology, Jackson (Motorcycle Services); John Pritchett, Automotive Technology, Jackson (Automotive Service Technology); Angela Chan, MATES, Manchester (Quiz Bowl); Brady Ballou, MATES, Point Pleasant (Quiz Bowl); Calvert Turanyi, MATES, Manahawkin (Quiz Bowl); Ria Ulep, MATES, Forked River (Quiz Bowl); Jonah Haykel, MATES, West Creek (Quiz Bowl); Nick Leasure, MATES, Forked River (Quiz Bowl); Chase Destafney, MATES, Forked River (Quiz Bowl); Riley Callis, MATES, Lanoka Harbor (Related Technical Math); Kyle Colon, Electrical Trades,Ocean Gate (Electrical Construction Wiring); Tom Naia, Marine Service Technology, Manahawkin (Marine Service Technology)

BRONZE MEDAL WINNERS, THEIR PROGRAMS OF STUDY AND HOMETOWN:
Lauren Brue, Design and Visual Communications, Point Pleasant (Screen Printing);
Lyla Gelnaw, Cosmetology, Brick (Cosmetology); Cody Schiefelbein, Diesel Engine Technology, Jackson (Diesel Equipment Technology); Christopher Boucher, Heavy Equipment Operator , Point Pleasant (Heavy Equipment Operations); Josue Mexquititla Contreras Automotive Technology,Brick (Motorcycle Services);
Michael Barca, Computer Science, Brick (Computer Programming); Jack Engelken, Marine Service Technology, Point Pleasant (Marine Service Technology); Sofia Elliott, Cosmetology, Point Pleasant (Advanced Haircoloring)

Ocean County Vocational Technical School offers over 30 career training programs for high school students and adults. Visit www.ocvts.org for information about all of the programs and services offered at OCVTS. OCVTS is accepting applications for September classes. Discover how OCVTS can be a part of your future!
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