CHARLESTON, W.VA. – The West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) recognized 17 students who earned top honors during their Career Technical Student Organization (CTSO) national conferences this summer. The students represent all regions of the state and won individual or team awards in their respective fields.
Each year, West Virginia career technical education (CTE) students spend hundreds of classroom and clinical hours learning their crafts and honing their skills. The CTSOs serve an important role of extending teaching and learning through innovative programs; business and community partnerships; and leadership experiences at the school, state and national levels. These organizations play a critical role not only in student development, but also in career and workforce preparation.
“The CTE students who participated in the national conferences represent the exceptional talent, creative spirit and competitive drive you find in our student population,” said State Superintendent of Schools W. Clayton Burch. “To compete and succeed at the highest levels of your trade reflects our students’ abilities, commitment of our instructors and of the exceptional programs offered through CTE. I am so proud of these 17 students and all of those who worked hard and competed locally and nationally.”
The national CTSO recognitions are as follows.
2021 Educators Rising National Conference
∙ KATIE CUMMINGS
Roane-Jackson Technical Center
2nd place, Individual Job Interview Event
In the job interview competition, students competed in a mock job interview by applying for a position as a paraprofessional, submitting a cover letter and resume and participating in an interview with judges acting as the school district’s hiring committee.
∙ MICHAEL FRALEY
Monroe County Technical Center
3rd place, Individual Impromptu Speaking Event
The impromptu speaking competition recognized students who demonstrated effective communication skills by combining clear thinking and conversational speaking into a coherent presentation on a current education-related topic.
2020 FFA National Conference
∙ CREED AMMONS
Tyler Consolidated High School
National Recognition, Individual FFA Proficiency Award Event
The FFA proficiency event recognized students for their growth and accomplishments through their
Supervised Agricultural Experience program in over 40 different award areas. Creed specialized in the processing of pork into various retail cuts, sausage and country cured hams and bacons. In addition to that, he also raised and processed locally grown turkeys in which he harvested and processed for Thanksgiving meals.
2021 HOSA Future Health Professionals National Conference
∙ Greenbrier East High School
3rd place, Team Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Partnership
This team event provided students with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills required to initiate and maintain a partnership with their local/state Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) units. Each team was judged on a portfolio highlighting partnership activities that improve public health, increase emergency response capabilities and strengthen the resiliency of local communities.
TEAM MEMBERS
- SAMANTHA BOSTIC
- JOSI ERVIN
- JONATHAN NGUYEN
- HUNTER WAMSLEY
2021 SKILLSUSA NATIONAL CONFERENCE
∙ SIDNEY FELOUZIS
Brooke High School
2nd place, Individual Job Interview Event
In the job interview competition, students were awarded for their job interview skills including a preliminary evaluation, completion of employment application and participation in an in-depth job interview.
∙ MATTHEW FOX
United Technical Center
2nd place, Individual Information Technology Services Event
Students competed in a computer-based written exam and a hands-on skills performance test that included a series of modules through which each student rotated on a fixed time schedule to troubleshoot or complete tasks with client, server or end user computing issues.
∙ MIA HORTON
Putnam Career & Technical Center
3rd place, Individual Dental Assisting Event
The Dental Assisting Event included a written knowledge exam on topics such as dental foundations, safety, infection control and employment skills. Students also participated in a hands-on simulated dental office and dental assisting demonstrations event.
∙ CAYLEIGH KETTERMAN
South Branch Career & Technical Center
3rd place, Individual Basic Health Care Event
Students competed in two events: a written exam assessing their general knowledge of basic health care skills and a hands-on performance event that included a series of workstations that assessed knowledge in core therapeutic and clinical skills.
∙ LOGAN RIGGLEMAN
South Branch Career & Technical Center
3rd place, Individual Technical Computer Applications Event
Students competed in a series of computer application demonstrations applying their expertise using a Windows, Linux and/or macOS-based operating system. Students were also judged on their knowledge of installing and operating computer software, hardware and cabling plus general computer support knowledge.
2021 Technology Student Association (TSA) National Conference
∙ Clay County Middle School
4th place, Team STEM Animation Event
Participants used computer graphics tools and design processes to communicate, inform, analyze and/or illustrate a concept that focused on one or more of the following areas: science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
TEAM MEMBERS
- ARIEL DOBBINS
- SAWYER DOBBINS
∙ Morgantown High School
2nd place, Team Cybersecurity Event
Participants responded to a cybersecurity challenge by identifying a breach in computer security via “Capture the Flag” games. Participants solved onsite challenges in a specified, limited amount of time.
TEAM MEMBERS
- ELLIOT CHANG
- MICHAEL HOEFLER
- GEOFFREY SWISHER
For more information, contact Christy Day, West Virginia Department of Education Office of Communications, at 304-558-2699 or Christy.Day@k12.wv.us.
