6 March, 2017
FRAMINGHAM, MA – Keefe Regional Technical School students won a record total of 36 medals during the District SkillsUSA Conference, which was also hosted by Keefe Regional Technical School on Tuesday, February 28, 2017.
A total of 760 students from 11 district schools participated in skills and leadership competitions in their career technical areas at the District Conference. Keefe Tech students competed in categories including Computer Programming, Early Childhood Education, Graphic Communications, and First Aid, bringing home nine gold medals, 13 silver medals, and 14 bronze medals.
All gold and silver medalists will move on to the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference, held April 27-29, 2017 at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School in Upton, MA. Additionally, Keefe Tech junior Kevin Luna of Ashland is running as a SkillsUSA Officer Candidate.
SkillsUSA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing high school and college students for careers in technical, trade, and skilled service occupations through local, state, and national programs. It provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship, and character development. Additionally, it builds and reinforces self-confidence, work attitudes, and communication skills, emphasizing total quality at work, high ethical standards, superior work skills, lifelong education, and pride in dignity of work.
“This is my second SkillsUSA competition and I enjoy competing with my classmates and meeting students from our district,” explained Keefe Tech senior Kelsi MacDonald of Framingham, who won a gold medal in Screen Print Technology. “You actually get to experience the process through hands-on activities and not just studying books,” she added.
John Brochu, Director of Career and Technical Education at Keefe, noted that the school’s faculty could not have been more pleased with students’ preparedness and performance. “We are proud of all of our students, who were very professional and excited to be involved. They performed at their best, earning the most medals ever at the district conference against some excellent competitors. It’s a tribute to the excellent work executed by our teachers daily, helping our students to grow with the tools necessary for their future,” he said.
According to Computer Programming gold medalist Daniel Quackenbush of Framingham, a Keefe Tech sophomore, “I’m excited to be going on to the state conference because it’s a high stakes competition and I can test my skills in programming. I was given exposure to all the material I used through my classes here at Keefe.”
Keefe Tech’s gold medal winners are: Spencer Vernes (Sheet Metal) of Ashland; Leonardo Cadena (Technical Computer Applications), Kelsi MacDonald (Screen Print Technology), Ryan Paradie (Information Technology Service), Daniel Quackenbush (Computer Programming), Sophia Swan (Nail Care), and Isaiah Vazquez (Graphic Communications) of Framingham; Mackenzie Burpee (Early Childhood Education) of Holliston; Ashley Wedge (Post-Grad Cosmetology) of Natick.
Keefe Tech’s silver medal winners are: Sean Lammerding (Internetworking) and Samantha Phipps (Web Design) of Ashland; Melissa Calvo Vides (Nail Care), Christian Espana (Health Knowledge Bowl), Alexandra Fafard (Culinary), Maria Lopes (Screen Print Technology), Xiomara Lopez (Health Knowledge Bowl), Luis Martinez (Masonry), Jennifer Melara (Health Knowledge Bowl), and Samantha Poole (Health Knowledge Bowl) of Framingham; Dylan Beckerman (Information Technology Service), Andrew Hancock (Web Design), Gabiella Rivas (First Aid/CPR) of Holliston.
Keefe Tech’s bronze medal winners are: Jayden Gauvin (Team Works) and Nickolas Grover (Carpentry) of Ashland; Daiana Barbosa (Restaurant Service), Rosas Contreras (Team Works), Pedro Gonzalez (Automotive Service Technology), Craig Lyons (Electrical Construction Wiring), Mary-Ann Mufute (Basic Health Care), Ethan Nater (Masonry), Carla Rodriguez (Technical Computer Applications), Michael Sweeney (Team Works), and Manoah Angelo Viana (Nail Care) of Framingham; Hudson Bickford (Team Works) and James Phipps (Advertising and Design) of Holliston; Candis Labitue (Esthetics) of Natick.
About Keefe Regional Technical High School
Keefe Regional Technical School is a four-year public high school located in Framingham, MA and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. In addition to 15 career and technical programs, Keefe Tech offers a complete college preparatory and honors academic programs to students from the communities of Ashland, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton and Natick.
