Barry Tech Students Score Big

The Nassau BOCES Joseph M. Barry Career and Technical Education Center (Barry Tech) was well represented recently during the SkillsUSA State Competition in Syracuse, New York. Fifteen students brought home top awards in a variety of categories ranging from graphic design and police science to nurse assisting and physical therapy aide.

SkillsUSA is a national student organization that promotes professionalism, leadership skills and teamwork. Each year, teenagers test their skills during this competition, which includes timed segments designed to mimic real-life situations in the workplace. Students demonstrate their expertise in a range of career and technical fields, from advertising design and culinary arts to medical assisting and welding. They are judged according to qualifications determined by industry professionals.

Among this year's winners are:

The following students also placed third place in the opening and closing ceremony team category.

* Shelvin Taitt, a Police Science/Law Enforcement Systems student from Garden City High School

Carolyn Holecek, a Nurse Assisting student from Garden City High School, was elected a member of the House of Delegates. Carolyn will travel to the SkillsUSA national competition being held June 26 - 29 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Barry Tech is the state-of-the art career and technical education center that Nassau BOCES operates for high school students in Nassau County. Students spend part of their day studying one or more than two dozen career fields, including aviation, auto repair, animal care, construction, computer technology, culinary arts, video production and health care services. They spend the rest of their day at their home high school. For more information, visit www.barrytech.org