Five GACTC Tyrone Area High school students placed in the SkillsUSA District 7 competition at the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology and have qualified for the state competition in April.

Seniors Noah Irvin, Aubree Moore, Alexis Stevens, Maddie Moser and Sam Woomer all received awards from SkillsUSA, a national student organization that develops employment and leadership skills in technical education classrooms and work-based learning.

“[We] are extremely proud of their accomplishments in SkillsUSA at the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center,” said SkillsUSA Adviser Dodie Amigh.

Noah Irvin, Senior in Automotive/Diesel Technology, was a Gold Medal Winner in Diesel Equipment Technology.

“[Noah] is just a great student.  He’s always eager to help and learn,” said his GACTC instructor Scott Dalby.

To earn the award, Irvin had to demonstrate his knowledge of diesel engine repair.

“I did a lot of different tasks to engines and trucks and I did the best out of everyone there,” said Irvin.

Irvin has impressed his instructors at GACTC with his attitude and work ethic.

“He is always smiling. He is polite, well mannered, and he knows how to accomplish a goal,” added SkillsUSA Adviser Dodie Amigh.

Madison Moser and Alexis Stevens, both seniors in Cosmetology, were Bronze Medal winners in nail care. Their instructor is Nikki Weakland.

“Madison was our nail competition competitor. She was very nervous to compete, but stepped up to the plate and did really well. Overall, she is a great student who maintains great grades and attendance. She is always willing to help and goes above and beyond daily in class,” said cosmetology instructor Nikki Weakland. “Alexis was Madison’s nail model. She is always to help out and be a part of what is happening within our program. Like Madison, Alexis has great grades and attendance.”

Moser was proud of her award but was aware of a few things she could have done better.

“I had a few technical difficulties which I lost points for so I think I could have maybe got second instead of third,” said Moser.

Aubree Moore senior in Health Occupations is a Bronze Medal winner in Health Occupations. Her instructor is Tiffany Bence.

“We had to answer questions about health related stuff and we placed third,” said Moore.

Moore also said that the competition was nerve-wracking at first but later her and the group of people she was with gained confidence and were very proud of themselves placing in the end.

Sam Woomer, a senior in Precision Machining, won a Bronze Medal Winner in Precision Machine Technology.  His instructor is Joe Cowan.

“I’m honored to win that award because like not too many people do machine shop work anymore so I am pretty honored about it,” said Woomer.

When asked what it is that he does Woomer said, “I’ll put it in stupid terms, it’s what Mr. Vancas teaches every day.”

Woomer was honored for his chance to compete and is proud of himself for placing.

All the students who placed will advance to the state competition at Hershey in April.