On March 8 and 9, Lake Region Vocational Center students attended the State SkillsUSA Conference in Bangor. Thirteen students competed in their respective training areas and five students came home with medals.

Keith Rickett, Drafting and Design Program student and senior at Lake Region High School, won the Gold Medal in Technical Drafting for the second time. Rickett competed against other drafting students from all over the state in a competition that consists of drawing six parts to an adjustable shaft support to metric scale. Rickett will represent Lake Region Vocational Center and the state of Maine at the National SkillsUSA Conference in Kansas City in Technical Drafting.

Cailin Tuck, a senior at Lake Region High School and the Culinary Arts Program at Lake Region Vocational Center, won a Bronze Medal in Job Demo A, which is a competition demonstrating a part of her vocational training. Tuck demonstrated the proper dish washing techniques used in all food service establishments. She also provided the judges with information on water temperature, sanitizing, washing, rinsing and drying.

Greg Perry, a senior at Lake Region High School and the Automotive Program at Lake Region Vocational Center, competed in Automotive Servicing and won a Silver Medal. Perry had 12 stations to complete and reported that he had to do everything from a state inspection to electronic diagnosis.

Erica Cairns, a senior and Jessica Stewlow, a junior at Lake Region High School and the Drafting and Design Program at Lake Region Vocational Center, competed in Promotional Bulletin Board and won a Bronze Medal. They were required to follow the theme, “Champions at Work.” To do this they drew an eagle flying, which represented the SkillsUSA members spreading their wings to reach their goals. They also were required to provide a portfolio of their work.

“As always, I am so proud of our students. They worked hard with their instructors to be ready for the competitions,” Advisor Jeanette Vanidestine said. “I also want to thank our community for supporting us. This year, Naples Subway provided us with sandwiches for our trip to Bangor. Mike Curtis of FairPoint donated prizes for some of the contests.

Now Lake Region Vocational Centers’ students and staff are looking for ways to raise funds to send Keith to Kansas City. A Talent Show is scheduled for April 12 at 7 p.m. in the Lake Region High School Auditorium and a Giant Lawn Sale is planned for May 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the front lawn of the school. Contributions can be sent directly to Lake Region Vocational Center to help Keith with his trip to the nationals.