Aberdeen student honored at SkillsUSA workforce development event

July 10, 2019 1:30 am
Courtesy Aberdeen School District Aberdeen High School student Perla Mata, second from left, poses with other members of the school’s SkillsUSA Team.
Courtesy Aberdeen School District Aberdeen High School student Perla Mata, second from left, poses with other members of the school’s SkillsUSA Team.

An Aberdeen student has won one of the nation’s highest awards at the 2019 SkillsUSA Championships, held June 26-27 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Perla Mata, a 2019 graduate of Harbor High School and the Twin Harbors Skills Center, captured third place in Medical Assisting. Her instructor is Lindsey Kargbo. Mata was tested on various medical procedures, as well as her ability to analyze medical data. Along with her bronze medal, she was offered a $20,000 scholarship to Sullivan College.

The Aberdeen High School Entrepreneurship team of Michaela Leach, Daniel Hunt, Eric Eng and Einar Sharpe placed 14th nationally. The team was judged on a business model and presentation of a hypothetical company they formed over the course of the school year. Their instructors are Chuck Veloni and Tammy Heth.

Aberdeen sophomore Cahli Birchard placed 25th in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration after scoring well on his troubleshooting and customer service skills, brazing abilities and technical knowledge. Birchard is enrolled in the Industrial Engineering program through the Twin Harbors Skills Center.

Recent Aberdeen High graduates Bryson Grenier and Andrew Shumate placed 27th in Audio Production. They honed their skills through the Radio Broadcasting class at AHS.

Chuck Veloni, the local SkillsUSA adviser, said the chapter “would like to thank all of those who helped these students achieve their goal of demonstrating excellence at a national level.”

The students became eligible to compete by capturing the state championship in their respective categories. More than 6,500 students from all over the country were judged by industry professionals in 103 events over several days.

“More than 6,500 students from every state in the nation participated in the 2019 SkillsUSA Championships,” said SkillsUSA executive director Tim Lawrence. “This showcase of career and technical education demonstrates our SkillsUSA partnership at its finest. Our students, instructors and industry partners work together to ensure that every student excels. This program expands learning and career opportunities for our members.”

The SkillsUSA Championships are held annually for students in middle school, high school and college/postsecondary programs. More than 360,000 students and advisers participate in SkillsUSA each year, organized into more than 20,000 sections and 53 state and territorial associations.