CCTI students earn gold at SkillsUSA Nationals

Carbon Career and Technical Institute continued its tradition of stellar performances at the 54th annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, with five students earning gold.

CCTI students Jakson Ring, Lynzi Binder, Alyssa Paramore, McKenzie DaCosta and Jenna Berry took top honors in their respective competitions during nationals in Louisville, Kentucky, June 25 to 29, beating out dozens of top contenders in those technical fields.

CCTI and SkillsUSA alumni Derbe Stroup will also be making his way to the international competition in Kazan, Russia come 2019.

“These students’ achievements are proof of what this generation of Carbon County young adults can accomplish when given the opportunity and the guidance of skilled and dedicated instructors and advisers,” CCTI administrative director David Reinbold said.

Ring took first in the CNC technician competition, Binder earned top honors in the automotive computer estimator and total loss evaluator category and Parramore, DaCosta and Berry took the gold in career pathways-health services.

Devin Strohl finished 7th in automotive refinishing technology and Sean Bevilacqua, Wyatt Cassidy and Jacob Hauser finished 6th in occupational health and safety.

“It’s pretty incredible, five gold medals and one student who secured his spot for the international competition,” head SkillsUSA adviser Kevin Kuehner said.

Binder’s victory in a male-dominated field was particularly notable, as CCTI has been promoting nontraditional career paths for students.

“It was definitely different and challenging,” Binder said. “Most of the competitors in my field are men, and just for me to make it there was really unique and different for me. I’m glad that I got there.”

Binder studied auto collision and repair under Dennis Starry, and gained some valuable experience by shadowing insurance adjusters at Wentz Auto Body in Lehighton. These factors, she said, were what set her apart from her competition.

When the announcer read her name, Binder couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride.

“My heart skipped a beat or two, I was so excited, and not only for myself, but for my instructor as well. He helped me get there,” she said.

Students got a chance to hear about the world of technical and trade jobs from some well-known advocates of the field.

“The money that’s put into the program, it’s incredible. Brad Keselowski, he drives for Penske, he was a guest speaker at the ceremony, so was Mike Rowe. These guys are out there telling them that we need trade people,” Kuehner said.

With a gold medal at the nationals and a thorough CCTI education, Kuehner said his victors have great potential for whatever they wish to do in the future.

“These guys will walk in on a job and start at $20 per hour, no problem. They have the skills. If they want to go for postsecondary education, they can, but they’re ready,” he said.