ST. MARY’S CITY, MD — Students from the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center showcased their talents at the 51st Annual SkillsUSA Maryland State Championships held recently in Carroll County. The event was a celebration of skills and dedication, with 40 students from the center winning medals across a broad range of vocational contests.
The Forrest Center, known for its diverse program offerings, sent participants to compete in numerous categories, reflecting the comprehensive training they receive at the center. The contests included Telecommunications Cabling, Customer Service, Engineering Technology, and many more, each aimed at testing the students’ skills and preparation for their respective fields.
In Telecommunications Cabling, Connor Ferrall took home a gold medal in Electrical Wiring, while John Praktish and Jahdane Thaxter won silver and bronze, respectively. The Customer Service category saw Kayden Thompson winning gold, further highlighting the center’s strong performance.
The Engineering sectors were notably successful. In Engineering Technology/Design, the team of Makayla Porter, Brianna Rourke, and Harmony Clark secured gold. Similarly, the 3-D Visualization and Animation contest was dominated by Sylvia Suckow and Abigail Cronkright, who also earned gold medals.
In addition to the competition, two Forrest Center students, Bryce Burch and Damien Maines, were elected as SkillsUSA Maryland State Officers, demonstrating their leadership as well as technical skills.
Significantly, all gold medal winners have earned the chance to compete at the National Leadership and Skills Conference scheduled to take place in Atlanta, GA, in June 2024. The state officers and national voting delegates, including Makenna Porter and Camille Van Erp, will also attend the conference to participate in the national delegate assembly.
As the Forrest Center gears up for the national competition, the community is rallying to support the 15 students who have qualified to represent Maryland. Fundraising efforts are underway to finance their trip to Atlanta. Donations can be made by contacting the school at 301-475-0242, where Ms. Mary Thompson or Mr. Mike Stevens can provide more information.
The success at the SkillsUSA Maryland State Championships not only reflects the hard work of the students but also the dedication of the Forrest Center’s faculty in preparing them for excellence in their careers.
