OSTC-NE Students Advance to National and International Competitions

Oakland Schools Technical Campus Northeast students earned top honors during state competitions this spring, qualifying for national and international events through BPA, HOSA, and SkillsUSA.

Alyssa Acker, a Computer Programming student from Lake Orion High School, advanced to the Business Professionals of America National Leadership Conference in Nashville after earning first place in Fundamentals of Web Design at the state competition.

In Health Sciences, Evelyn Milne and Brenda Pitalua, both from Lake Orion High School, competed at the HOSA State Leadership Conference in April. Pitalua earned first place in Personal Care and advanced to the HOSA International Leadership Conference scheduled for June 17-20 in Indianapolis.

“This is an exciting next step, and we know she will continue to represent our program with excellence,” instructor Jenna Doyle said about Pitalua.

Several students also advanced through SkillsUSA state competition events held in Grand Rapids.

In Welding, Ethan Laird of Clarkston High School earned first place overall in Welding, Charley Hogan of Rochester High School earned second place in TIG Welding, and Vincent Kucera of Rochester High School earned first place in Torch Cutting. Sophie Munro of Kettering High School, Kyler O’Melia of Clarkston High School, and Nathan Vander Sluis of Rochester High School earned third place in the Welding Fabrication Team competition.

In Cosmetology, 18 students competed at the state level, with five advancing to nationals. Katelyn Emrick of Birmingham Groves High School advanced in Process Employment Application, while Sadie Hall and Chariden Stringer of Bloomfield Hills High School and Savanah Winnie and Madison Salow of Walled Lake Northern High School advanced in Entrepreneurship.

In Automotive Technology, Jacob Morgan earned first place in Power Equipment and qualified for nationals.

In Culinary Arts, Kiani Beaubien of Lake Orion High School and Raeylen Dodge of Oxford High School finished fifth and 11th in Restaurant Service, while Emma Castonia of Oxford High School placed fifth and Stella Montney of Oxford Virtual Academy placed eighth in Baking and Pastries.

Construction students also earned strong finishes, with Charles Pearson of Rochester High School advancing after winning Electrical Wiring and Kyle Strine of Rochester High School qualifying in the Immersive Construction Experience category.

The SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference will be held June 1-5 in Atlanta. The HOSA International Leadership Conference is scheduled for June 17-20 in Indianapolis.