BIDDEFORD — No matter what you do, success is measured by realizing that working together as team can lead to impressive results.

That’s how four students from the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology felt when they placed first in the State SkillsUSA Competition for Health Knowledge Bowl earlier this month.

The team consisting of Abigail Morrill, Erica Verville, and Samantha Morse of Thornton Academy and Ashlin Ruel of Biddeford High School defeated 11 other schools to win the Gold Medal honor.

This was the first time that a contingent of BRCOT students participated in the annual technical standards competition for students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations.

“The competitions could be considered equivalent to the State Math Meet for the Career and Technical Education community and we were delighted to have 11 students participating for the first time,” said BRCOT Director Paulette Bonneau. “To compete was an achievement, to take home the Gold Medal in the Health Knowledge Bowl is a testament to the caliber of students and instruction in our Medical and Health Assisting programs.”

Six BRCOT programs were represented by 11 BRCOT students in the competition including Automotive Technology, Health and Medical Science, Precision Machining, Electrical Construction and Welding. Students competed as teams or as individuals in eight different events with the BRCOT Health team bringing home a gold medal.

The Health Knowledge Bowl team was made up of three students enrolled in the Introduction to Medical Sciences program and one student from the Health Assisting/Certified Nursing Assistant program at BRCOT. All four students completed the Medical Assisting program as juniors.

“After two years of medical classes, a lot of it was just easy to remember,” said senior Erica Verville.

By virtue of their first place finish, the BRCOT students have qualified to compete in the 54th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, in June. 

The team is looking to raise $8,000 to travel to Kentucky and will be organizing fundraising events to cover the cost of the trip.

“All of the students really stepped up and got out of their comfort zones,” said Deb Hapgood, Health Assistant/CNA BRCOT instructor. “They did a remarkable job representing our school, beating out 11 other teams, and we’re optimistic that these young women will be well-supported by our local community.”

The Biddeford Regional Center of Technology is one of 27 Career and Technical Education High Schools in Maine.

It accepts students from Biddeford, Dayton, Old Orchard Beach, and Thornton Academy in Saco.

Programs offered at the facility include Autobody, Auto Technology, Business & Financial Management, Information Technology, Legal Studies, Medical Assisting, Early Childhood Education, Electrical Technology, Engineering and Architectural Design, Project Lead The Way Engineering, Health Assistant-CNA, Intro to Medical Sciences, Machine Tool Technology, Plumbing and Heating, Residential Construction and Remodeling, and Welding-Metal Fabrication.

SkillsUSA is a national membership association serving high school, college and middle school students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations, and for further education. It is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce and helps each student excel.

— Executive Editor Ed Pierce can be reached at 282-1535 ext. 326 or by email at editor@journaltribune.com.