In the words of Tommy Hilfiger, “The road to success is not easy to navigate; but with hard work, drive, and passion, it is possible to achieve the
American dream.”
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Row 1: Tabby, Felicity, Tristyn, Jenna
Row 2: Jacob, Dayuna, Krista
The Hilfiger quote above inspired the team to end their
year ranked 6th in the nation! |
Congratulations to Pennsylvania's 2016-17 gold medal-winning Opening and Closing Team from Lawrence County CTC consisting of Tabby Zang (EC/VT), Dayuna Reitenauer (NC/HA), Tristyn Gravatt (Un/CA), Jake Troutman (NC/Cot), Krista Berkley (La/Cos), Jenna Locke (EC/CA), and Felicity Weir (Sh/HA) who traveled to SkillsUSA National Championships in Louisville, KY on June 19-25th.
After representing our state with pride, they successfully made it to the final top 13 (of 34 states) and competed once more to finish 6th in the nation! What an accomplishment!
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| Mr. Brown, the founder of the Brown Hotel, Pennsylvania's "home" for the week |
Although they would have loved to bring home a gold medal from Kentucky, they did bring home something equally as important: Lifelong friendship -- that is the real gold. "As a team," considers Felicity Weir, "we have achieved something that many others were unable to. With five new members, we had to compete at districts, move on through states, and go as far as becoming national finalists, and then, after competing int he second round, ranking sixth in the nation! No matter our place, we are and always will be 'Champions at Work'.” That is an accomplishment to be more than proud of.
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Checking out 4th Street; later this week, Louisville
hosted a party with live music aimed at attracting
more than 6,000 students who came to compete in more
than 100 contests! Our team competed against
34 other state gold medalists! |
More than anything, the underclassmen wanted to medal for Jake and Jenna, our seniors; after all, this was their last chance to represent LCCTC. Even though they dreamed of sending them home with a medal did not come to pass this year, these two seniors gained so much from being a part of Opening and Closing; for example, after serving as president for the last year, Jake is using his extensive ability to remain calm in times of stress and lead by example as he continues on the United States Marine Corps. As a result of her extensive work with LCCTC's entire SkillsUSA chapter and as a three-year member of the team, Jenna was hired into a full-time position after graduation because of her ability to lead, communicate, and organize.
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| We are ready for Opening Ceremonies! |
Being on the Opening and Closing team has been a learning experience for each member. Dayuna, sophomore and first-time national competitor states that, “At first I felt very nervous to compete but as I sat to realize I was over exaggerating my fears. I put on my 'big girl pants', and as a result, found my confidence. To be on a team like this -- it’s a blessing.”
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| Ready to ride the charter to the convention center |
The team has dedicated themselves to do something others only wish they could do, and they did so with grace and dignity. They have made those who love them proud. They have made their school and community proud. “They have made me proud,” beams Mrs. McVicker.
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| This team knows how to have good, clean fun! |
Looking back on this past school year, it is undeniable that the team has worked harder than ever before. "By the smiles on our faces after competing one final time," recalls Felicity, "it is easy to say SkillsUSA has given each member an irrefutably passionate drive."
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As state-gold medalists, the team earned the right to purchase
their very own SkillsUSA Carhartts, embroidered with their names |
Outside of Skills, they have overcome many obstacles together, as a family first, and a team second. They have pushed through loss, personal frustrations, and academic struggles. Through constructive criticism, each has overcome personal fears and have individually grown. They supported each other through laughing, crying, smiling, and everything in between. Each and every one of them has found confidence and self-discipline.
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The energy of Opening Ceremonies is palatable! Tristyn
and Dayuna are dancing in the wings! |
“I know being a part of Skills has changed my life,” reflects Krista Berkley, “and I will always be grateful for what it has taught me so far.” She continues to state, “I wish that more people get to experience SkillsUSA -- especially Hershey -- even Nationals; it’s so much fun! That was by far the best experience of my life!” She loves it so much that she’s ready to start practice for the next year!
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The convention center is thumping with great music flashing
lights, and a visit from Mike Rowe, staunch supporter of SkillsUSA
and those in the skilled workforce. He called upon the audience to
check out his interview with Fox News earlier that day, because
we appreciate all he does for our CTCs, here is the aforementioned interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ8qoIOBFxM&feature=player_embedded |
Though being on a team like Opening and Closing if a lot of fun, it’s a lot of dedication, as well. This group doesn’t shy away from hard work. Tabatha Zang is already to go back to practice and has her eye out for prospective business to meet for practice; “We can meet at this new coffee shop -- I’ll ask the owner if you’d like.” It seems like SOMEbody truly enjoyed the experience!
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Felicity helps Tabby get all gussied up
for the first day of competition. |
Everyone played a part in the successes of our kiddos. In addition to expressing great appreciation to their team coach, Mrs. McVicker-Shaffer and our assistant coach, PJ Shaffer (Mamma and Pappa Bear), a very big THANK YOU goes to the SkillsUSA Advisors for all of the tireless work it takes for all of our SkillsUSA kiddos to have what they need, to the administration for their unwavering support, to the JOC whose YES makes this possible, to the teachers and staff who work closely with the kids to keep them on top of their studies -- encouraging them every step of the way, to the students who cheer them on, to the custodians whose words of encouragement and adjustment to their schedules for practice days show the kids how important they are, and to the cafeteria staff who were kind enough to consider sending them with a few surplus snacks -- they appreciated it all!
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Our resident cosmetologist, Krista puts on the
final touches to "her" hair! |
Although this year’s chapter of "Buns, Pearls, and a Tie" may be closed, the nation hasn’t seen the last of us yet. They have many more pages that have yet to be written. As paraphrased by their coach, "We have all learned that 'anything that has worth is worth working hard for' -- which is exactly what we plan to do on our journey for next year."
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| Felicity makes sure every hair is in place |
It was Earl Nightingale who once said, “All you need is the plan, the road map, and the courage to press on to your destination.” Though a gold medal at the end of our story would have been greatly welcomed, They also understand that “success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.” ~ Arthur Ashe
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| Tristyn makes sure she sports a business-look |
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Dayuna is all in with her transformation:
fun, red hair becomes business burgundy. If
you don't believe it, check out her other pictures! |
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| Jacob primps, too! |
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While everyone is buzzing about, this is Jenna, but somehow,
she makes it to the bus on time every time! |
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| Preparing to enter the first round of competition. |
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| Our traditional team star |
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Nervous smiles all around -- now, the wait is on! Did they make it to the
second round? |
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Anxiously awaiting the results of the first round. They returned to the hotel
for lunch and a change of clothes before the finalists are revealed. ...and...
THEY DID IT! TWO YEARS IN A ROW, THEY MADE IT
TO THE FINALS! |
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Even though they made it to nationals and have passed
through to finals, practice doesn't stop. Here, Jenna
realizes that this is her final practice -- and the team
responds as they always do...with hugs and loving tears. |
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| It has been a wonderful year... |
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| Post-practice -- waiting for pizza. |
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Sporting smiles after the second round of competition.
Yes -- there were mistakes, but they have come so far...
Five team members are rookies who had no idea
what they were getting in to and who had no idea
how fun it would be. |
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| PJ's "allergies" acted up: Tears of Pride! |
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...and Jake realized that this was his last performance with
his team...a second family! |
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| How cool -- "Road to Success" t-shirts! |
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| Forever friends... |
