Mid-Coast School of Technology students demonstrated exceptional talent and skill at the SkillsUSA Maine State Leadership and Skills Conference held March 13-14 in Bangor, returning home with an impressive twenty-three medals. Fifty students competed across a range of disciplines, from culinary arts and automotive technology to healthcare and design.
Under the guidance of advisors Brandon Soards and Chelsea Moore, the Mid-Coast team showcased dedication and expertise, with several students building on their previous successes and many achieving first-time wins.
Grace Wesbrock and Lydia Gurney both competed in Health Occupations Portfolio last year with Wesbrock earning Bronze. Wesbrock returned this year in Community Service with Haley Blake and Arden Kondracki earning Gold. Gurney teamed up with Kylee Cocks in Promotional Bulletin Board and placed 2nd in their competition. Wesbrock is graduating this year with plans to attend St. Joseph’s College for Nursing. Gurney also plans to pursue a degree in Nursing at Husson University. Kondracki, Cocks, and Blake all plan to attend the University of Maine at Fort Kent for Nursing.
Keira Kay and Asa Appleby both returned to the state competition looking for redemption. Kay returned to Extemporaneous Speaking earning Bronze this year. Her plans after graduation include attending Central Maine Community College for Nursing. Appleby competed in Power Equipment Technology and this year earned a Silver medal.
Alden Rousseau, and Declan Rodgers are also returning to the state competition. Rodgers returned to Computer Programming, earning Bronze last year and he held steady again this year earning Bronze. Rodger’s plans for after high school include attending Champlain College to study Video Game Design and Cyber Security. Rousseau competed in Culinary Arts last year and returned this year to compete in Outdoor Leadership. This year he placed 2nd in his contest. His future plans include earning his Maine Guide and attending the Culinary Institute of America.
Knasic Byer, Jorja Dodge, and Jacob Barstow all returned competing in different contests. Byer earned Silver in Automotive Tool ID in 2024 and returned this year to compete in Job Skills Demonstration Open. Next fall, Byer is enrolling at Washington County Community College for Automotive Technology. Dodge was part of the Wedding Cake Decorating team last year and returned to compete in the Culinary Arts contest. Her plans for next year are to return to Mid-Coast and continue furthering her culinary and pastry arts skills. Barstow returned this year to compete in CNC Programmer. He placed 2nd in his competition this year. After graduation he plans to join the Maine Army National Guard while working towards the Maine Police Academy.
Mid-Coast School of Technology had several first year SkillsUSA students medal while in Bangor. Cole Bruno competed in State T-Shirt Design and earned a Gold medal for his design and presentation. Bruno is a junior and will return to the Design Technology program for his second year next school year. Joe Felice, a senior, earned Gold in CNC 3-Axis Milling and plans to pursue a degree in Engineering. Health Knowledge Bowl team consisting of Gabriella Destefano, Lyla Brooks, Liz Barstow, and Raven Pierce earned Silver. All are making future plans to enter into the healthcare field. Griffin Holgerson, a 2nd year Auto Collision student placed 3rd in Automotive Refinishing Technology. A two person team of Alyssa Smith and Kesryn Steeves paired up to earn Gold in Wedding Cake Decorating. Competing in First Aid/CPR, EMT student, Aiden Greeley earned 1st place. Another EMT student, Nadir Fekkak earned Silver in Job Skills Demo. Second year Machine Tool student, Morgan Waltz earned Gold in CNC 2-Axis Turning. From the first year Auto Tech program, Ian Hammond earned a Bronze medal in Auto Tool ID.
Other students competing at the SkillsUSA Maine State Leadership and Skills Conference were: Logan Delano (Auto Collision Technology), Kayne Lagasse (Collision Repair Tool ID), Aidan deLorimier (Auto Maintenance & Light Repair), Luke Camber (Automotive Service), Jackson Kay (Pin Design), Caleb Read & McKinzey Choate (Video Production – team), Hayden Parker (Firefighting), Tim Watts (Precision Machining), William Brown (Precision Machining), Blake Feltis (Welding), Diana Parker (Collision Appraisal Technician), Felicity Griffin (Baking & Pastry Arts), Kaylyn Hertel (Restaurant Service), Jayse Bickel (Cabinetmaking), Aiden Crawford (Carpentry), Wyatt Robinson (Commercial Roofing), Zoe Richardson (Advertising Design), River Burns and Izzy Grey (EMT – team), Emmett Edge and Blake Emery (EMT – team), Elliot Condon (Outdoor Leadership), Evan Constantine (Outdoor Leadership).