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UPTON – Some of the most talented and knowledgeable students from the across the state will compete during the SkillsUSA Massachusetts State Competition on Friday, April 27 at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School.
SkillsUSA Massachusetts provides opportunities for participating students to develop individually and improve teamwork, leadership and professional skills through education, training, service and competition.
SkillsUSA Massachusetts is the largest educational organization in New England with more than 25,000 members and is the second largest in the country with the national organization boasting nearly 300,000 members.
The annual State Conference, based in Marlborough, runs from Thursday to Saturday with the highlight being the more than 60 vocational technical trade and employment contests at Valley Tech. Two off-site contests will also take place: the diesel technology competition at Milton-CAT in Milford and masonry at the Upton Highway barn on Pleasant Street near Valley Tech.
The contests take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the public is invited to attend. Winners earn the right to represent SkillsUSA Massachusetts at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in June in Kansas City, Missouri.
This is the sixth straight year Valley Tech has hosted the prestigious Olympic-style competition with approximately 2,000 students judged by business professionals according to industry and employment standards. By participating in SkillsUSA, students are given opportunities to demonstrate their occupational skills through a variety of leadership, teamwork, and citizenship experiences.
Students compete at six district competitions with the winners advancing to the state and national levels. At the District V competition students from Valley Tech captured a total of 53 medals. The Valley Tech contingent at the state level will include 61 students competing in contests ranging from dental assisting to office computer applications.
Over the last several years, Valley Tech students have won medals at the national championships, including two individual gold medals, one individual silver medal and a team silver medal last year.
Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School serves the towns of Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge. Located in the heart of the Blackstone Valley, Blackstone Valley Tech creates a positive learning community that prepares students for personal and professional success in an internationally competitive society through a fusion of rigorous vocational, technical, and academic skills.
The school’s website is www.valleytech.k12.ma.us.
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