Spotlight On Education

50 students from Frank H. Peterson Academies of Technology have qualified for the SkillsUSA Florida state competition.

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. During each competition, students compete in different hands-on trade, technical and leadership fields.

Peterson Academy has participated in SkillsUSA competitions against other schools within the region for the past 30 years, and, this year, achieved the best scores ever.

"I'm very proud of my students, my support staff and my teaching staff for all of the hard work they have done with all of our students," said Principal Greg McCandless. "It is extremely gratifying to see 50 state qualifiers from Peterson Academy. This is truly a great story of students who do well in both their vocational and academic courses."

The state competition will be April 28-30 in Bradenton. Students selected as state winners will have a chance to compete at the national conference in Kansas City on June 24-27.

The SkillsUSA Florida Region 2 State Qualifiers from Peterson Academy are:

Automotive Academy

• Terrell Davidson - Actions Skills Job Interview, First place
• Jimmy Peele - Diesel Equipment Technology, First place*
• Jeremy Leyva - Automotive Refinishing Technology, Second place
• James Freeman - Automotive Collision Repair, Third place
• Krista Henderson - Prepared Speech, Second place; CPR, Second place*
• Brittany Schreiber - CPR, Third place*

Aviation Academy

• Thea Stoner - Aviation Technology, First place*
• Bill Nettles - Aviation Technology, Second place*
• Takeera Atkinson - Spelling, Second place
• Kenneth Hulett - Related Technical Math, Second place
• Darlene Griggs - Extemporaneous Writing, Third place

Service Academy Cosmetology

• April Bailey - Hair Weave, First place*
• Shelby Floyd - Facials, First place
• Kendra Smith - Model
• Ryan Cordoza - Facials, Second place
• Kristen Carson - Model
• Keisha Elliott - Facials, Third place
• Carissa Covert - Model
• Cheri Sparks - Nails, Second place
• Ciera Davis - Model
• Leiredel Barela - Cosmetology, Third place

Culinary Arts Academy

• Ann Jean Baptiste - Job Interview, Second place
• Anthony Parker - Culinary Arts, Second place
• Chris Cooper - Customer Service, Second place

Communications Academy

• Jessica Urmanec - Advertising Design, First place; State Banner, First place; Job Skills Demo "A," Third place
• Maya de Ceano-Vivas - Promotional Poster, First place; National T-Shirt Design, First place; State T-Shirt, Second place
• Glynis Eddie - Job Skills Demo "Open," First place; Screen Printing Technology, Second place*
• Steven Baker - Related Technical Math, First place
• J.T. Felix - Screen Printing, First place*
• Cadell Banks - Promotional Poster, First place; State T-Shirt, Third place
• Dana Wickham - Extemporaneous Writing, First place; Promotional Bulletin Board, First place*
• Niki Logoreci - Video Product Development, First place*
• Thomas Hollis - Video Product Development, First place*
• James Eco Video - Product Development, Second place*
• Joshua Alexander - Video Product Development, Second place*
• Zeon Mills - 3D Visualization & Animation, First place*
• Jeff Brown - 3D Visualization & Animation, First place*
• Adam Meldrum - 3D Visualization & Animation, Second place*
• Dangelo Woodard - 3D Visualization & Animation, Second place*
• Jeanelle Warren - Web Design, First place
• Emily Ryan - Web Design, First place; State Pin, Second place
• Justin Glattli - Promotional Bulletin Board, First place*
• Marissa Davis - Advertising Design, Second place
• Kathrina Tenorio - Promotional Poster, Third place
• Latisha Harris - Extemporaneous Speaking, Third place
• William Frye - Extemporaneous Speaking, Second place
• Darrien Belton - Screen Printing, Third place*
• Debbie McArthur - Promotional Bulletin Board, First place*
• Nick Parks - Promotional Poster, Third place
• Joseph Walcutt - Spelling 3rd CPR, First place*

*designates in-house competition

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