OCM BOCES students earn top finishes at state SkillsUSA competition

OCM BOCES students earn top finishes at state SkillsUSA competition

Approximately 55 students from the OCM BOCES Cortlandville and Thompson Road campuses competed against more than 3,000 students from across New York State in 80 trade and leadership contests at the state SkillsUSA championships.

Three of them earned top-three finishes in the competition held April 22-24 at the New York State Fairgrounds:

• John Virag, a student in Collision Repair Technology at the Thompson Road Campus, received a silver medal. Virag’s home district is the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District.
• Gianna Savinelli-Redhead, a Welding Sculpture student at the Thompson Road Campus, earned a bronze medal. She represents the North Syracuse Central School District.
• William Bell, a Power Equipment Technology student at the Thompson Road Campus, also earned a bronze medal. He represents the Cazenovia Central School District.

Thompson Road Campus SkillsUSA Advisor Danielle Curtis said, 

“It is so impressive that all of our kids are brave enough to compete at this level, and we are so proud of them no matter where they placed. It is a true testament to their hard work, dedication and the guidance of their teachers that has brought them this far. These kids are our future and the future is certainly looking bright!”

Cortlandville Campus SkillsUSA Advisor Dillon Zumbolo added,

“We are so proud of our SkillsUSA competitors. Their exceptional discipline, professionalism, and exemplary conduct throughout the competition truly set them apart. They represented us with distinction and grace, showcasing the true caliber of OCM BOCES. This achievement is a powerful affirmation of their hard work, and to the devoted mentorship of their teachers who helped them along the way!”

OCM BOCES Director of Career & Technical Education Director Mallory Douglas said,

"We are incredibly proud of our students ahttps://www.ocmboces.org/protected/tempedit.cfm?page=tmanageFilesnd all they accomplished at the SkillsUSA State Competition. It takes real courage to step onto a stage with peers from across the state, and our students showed that in every moment of the competition. They demonstrated not only a high level of technical skill, but also outstanding professionalism, teamwork, and integrity throughout the event. Earning the opportunity to compete at the state level speaks to their talent, dedication, and countless hours of hard work. They truly were competing among the best. They represented us well with professionalism, pride, and excellence. Each of them is a winner for their accomplishments, commitment, growth, and determination they displayed.”