Calvert County Public Schools Career and Technology Academy students demonstrated exceptional skill and professionalism at the SkillsUSA Southern Maryland Regional Competition on February 1, 2025. Competing against students from Charles and St. Mary’s counties, participants from Calvert CTA earned 29 medals across 20 contests, including 10 gold, 9 silver, and 10 bronze. The event, which marked the beginning of Career and Technical Education Month, provided students with the opportunity to test their abilities in real-world scenarios while strengthening industry connections.
The competition, judged by industry professionals, featured hands-on challenges designed to evaluate technical proficiency, problem-solving, and career readiness. Students competed in a variety of categories, including carpentry, culinary arts, electrical wiring, emergency medical services, and photography. The awards ceremony was led by Luke Hancock, Community Engagement Manager for Constellation Energy, one of the many local businesses supporting the SkillsUSA chapter at Calvert CTA. Hancock praised the students for their hard work and dedication, calling the competition an inspiring display of talent and passion.
Among the gold medal winners were Diego Mendez in carpentry, Alaina Chatfield in culinary arts, Carson McCarthy in electrical wiring construction, Oliver Fox in firefighting, Caden Fridman in HVAC, Wyatt Ford in photography, Julia Enright in t-shirt design, and Alexia West in cosmetology. The emergency medical technician team of Austin Cooper and Sophia Hale, as well as the teamworks construction group of Ben Barlow, Conner Hamburg, Brian Heffner, and Dylan Tayman, also earned first-place finishes.
Silver medalists included Mateo Moore in carpentry, Avery Donaldson in cosmetology, Nathan Heiston in culinary arts, Connor Loeffler in electrical wiring construction, McKenna Boteler and Hunter Simpson in emergency medical technician, Adam Akins in criminal justice, Kayla Freeman, Alvani Generillo, and Kathryn Phillips in crime scene investigation, and Copper Bobbit, Ezekiel Bozquez, Nathan McCollen, and Chaz Rogers in teamworks construction.
Bronze medals were awarded to Kirstin Ziegler in baking and pastry arts, Alees Cook in cosmetology, Brian Videl in criminal justice, Matthew Kaiser and Ryan King in emergency medical technician, Noah Santivasci in firefighting, Lia Miller in HVAC, Vincent Pendegrass in photography, Indira Davis in pin design, and Alina Billups, Jack Cassidy, Isabella Cox-Pace, and Ava Jacobs in teamworks construction.
Students who placed in the top three in their events will advance to the SkillsUSA Maryland State Leadership and Skills Conference in March, where they will compete against other top-performing students from across the state. In addition to those who medaled at regionals, additional Calvert CTA students will compete in contests that are conducted exclusively at the state level, including leadership and professional categories, as well as technical events not featured at the regional competition.
SkillsUSA is a nationwide organization that connects students, teachers, and industry professionals to develop a highly skilled workforce. With more than 300,000 members across high schools and colleges, the program provides students with the training and experience necessary to succeed in competitive job markets. The organization focuses on career readiness, technical excellence, and leadership development through hands-on competitions and industry partnerships. The Southern Maryland Regional Competition is one of many events leading up to the national SkillsUSA Championships, which bring together top students from across the country.
As Career and Technical Education Month continues, Calvert County Public Schools recognizes the hard work and achievements of its students in the SkillsUSA competition. Their success reflects the strength of the district’s Career and Technical Education programs, which provide students with the skills and experience needed to excel in their chosen fields. The students who qualified for the state competition will have the opportunity to showcase their abilities on a larger stage, further demonstrating the importance of hands-on, career-focused education.
Calvert CTA’s strong performance at regionals underscores the value of career and technical training, which prepares students for future careers in skilled trades, healthcare, technology, and other high-demand industries. The students’ accomplishments serve as a testament to the effectiveness of the school’s CTE programs and the impact of industry partnerships in shaping the next generation of skilled professionals.
