March 19th, 2008
NEW BEDFORD – Students from Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School earned 51 medals at a SkillsUSA competition involving students from nine high schools in the region. They won 15 gold medals, 20 silver medals, and 16 bronze medals in the competition held at GNB Voc-Tech on March 13th.
Students from GNB Voc-Tech swept the gold, silver and bronze medals in six categories: 3D Visualization and Animation, Automated Manufacturing, Major Appliance Repair, Medical Assisting, Robotics and Automation, and Sheet Metal. In total, they earned medals in 24 different competitions.
In addition, Media Technology sophomore Jennifer Vargas earned a nomination as a SkillsUSA state officer. She earned the right to campaign at the state level for a leadership position in the student organization.
“We couldn’t be happier,” said Michael Lipp, an Early Childhood Education teacher and SkillsUSA advisor at GNB Voc-Tech. “Hosting the district competition was a nice way to showcase our school. The competition ran extremely well and our students excelled in their competitions.”
More than 800 students from nine schools took part in the south district SkillsUSA competition. This is the first time that GNB Voc-Tech hosted this regional skills event. It was formerly hosted by Upper Cape Cod Tech.
Earning gold medals from GNB Voc-Tech were Media Technology majors Jayvon Gomes and Benjamin Shiek, who competed in 3D Visualization and Animation; Ryan Dwelly, Genri Fletcher and Peter DaCosta, Automated Manufacturing; Leah Schofield, Basic Health Care; Matthew Bedient, Cabinetmaking; Brian Cox, Diesel; Sarah Minero, First Aid CPR; Randy Lavoie, Major Appliance Repair; Alyson Aguiar, Medical Assisting; Ryan Gauvin, Precision Machining; Beth Lally and Heather Lemaire, Robotics and Automation; and Mark Desrosiers, Sheet Metal.
Earning silver medals were Media Tech majors Sarah Barlow and Casheena Gomes Sanchez, 3D Visualization and Animation; Casey McGee, Advertising Design; Andrew Grota, Tristan Wade and Matthew DaCosta, Automated Manufacturing; Steven Donnelly, Automotive Service Tech; Ryan Rapoza, CNC Milling; Billy Dias, CNC Turning; Rachel Fonseca, Collision Repair; Paige Lawrence, Cosmetology under 500 hours; Timothy Collins, Diesel; Jerome DaSilva, Major Appliance Repair; Yesenia Miranda-Santiago Medical Assisting; Samantha Mello, Preschool Teaching; Ross Cardoza, Residential Wiring; Richard Goldblatt and Nathan Pond, Robotics and Automation; Craig McGregor, Sheet Metal; and Stefano Bertani, Technical Computer Applications.
Earning bronze medals were Media Technology majors Jessica Bumpus and Nakita Melo, 3D Visualization and Animation; Kayla Conlon, Commercial Baking; Nathan Oliveira, Jesse Ponte, Christopher More, Automated Manufacturing; Adam Irujo, Cabinetmaking; Justine Heller Cosmetology over 500 hours; Dymenthia Scott, Industrial Motor Control; Wyatt L’Etoile, Major Appliance Repair; Nicole Rivet, Medical Assisting; Craig Gregory and Kyle Rocha, Robotics and Automation; Kenny Paulino, Sheet Metal; Jonathan Morse, Technical Computer Applications; and Devin Barksdale, Technical Drafting.
Five of the award winners are from Dartmouth: Ryan Dwelly, Jesse Ponte, Timothy Collins, Ryan Gauvin, and Kyle Rocha.
Fifteen of the award winners are from Fairhaven: Casey McGee, Genri Fletcher, Nathan Oliveira, Adam Irujo, Ryan Rapoza, Billy Dias, Paige Lawrence, Brian Cox, Randy Lavoie, Jerome DaSilva, Wyatt L’Etoile, Beth Lally, Heather Lemaire, Nathan Pond, and Jennifer Vargas.
The other 32 award winners live in New Bedford.
Last year, GNB Voc-Tech students earned 33 medals at the district level competition.
In addition to Mr. Lipp, numerous GNB Voc-Tech teachers and staff members attended the competition. They included advisors Michael de Gouveia, Nancy Ford, Patricia Carroll-Fingliss, Catherine Spooner, Michael Arguin, Kellie Martin, Sarah Blanchette, Tracey Teixeira, Tom Canastra, Robert LeClair, Pamela Callanan, Donald Desrosiers, David Doyle, Stephen Condon, Dave Pacheco, Kris Silva, Maciel Pais, Marcio Santiago, John Hoyle, Lois Aguiar, Paul Sylvia, Cee Cee Labrode, Jen Gaumont, Meghan Lacasse, Joanne Romanelli, Glenn Morel, Leonard Gauvin, Robert Enos, Grace Gwozdz, Ron Quintin, Scott Thibeault, Craig Soares, Arthur Medeiros, Deborah Brightman, Phil Goulet, Jeff Kobza, Dennis Tetreault, Marvin McFall, John Landry, Rick Quintin, and Stephen Flowers.
During SkillsUSA competitions, students test their skills in various categories, ranging from computer applications to welding. At the district level, they take a written exam that includes questions that measure trade knowledge as well as employability skills.
Most of the students who won medals in the district competition are now eligible to compete at the Massachusetts SkillsUSA competition in Marlborough on May 1st-3rd, 2008. At the state event, they will participate in a hands-on competition against other winners from other regions of the state.
Schools competing in the south district include GNB Voc-Tech, Bristol-Plymouth Regional Vocational Technical High School, Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School, Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School, Cape Cod Regional Technical High School, Southeastern Regional Technical High School, South Shore Regional Technical High School, Plymouth South High School, and Weymouth Vocational Technical High School.
GNB Voc-Tech accepts students from Dartmouth, Fairhaven, and New Bedford. It offers more than two dozen majors, ranging from Visual Design and Media Technology to Early Childhood Education and Teaching to Medical Assisting.
The school is an accredited member of the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC).
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