Memories from the SkillsUSA State Championships in Hershey 2024
by Mackenzie “Michelle” Bollinger (Cosmetology Class of 2025) and Owen Davis (Computer and Office Technology Class of 2025)
Watching the hills and valleys through the window, listening to the quiet chatter of students, feeling the anxiety and anticipation in the air, the 39 SkillsUSA district gold medalists from the LCCTC made the journey to Hershey, PA where they competed in the state level competitions.
The students left the school at 7 am, before most other students had even arrived at the building, stopped for lunch on the turnpike, and, before you knew it, arrived at the Hershey Lodge. As soon as they arrived, they unpacked the bus and rushed to get to their orientation meetings where they learned where their competitions would take place and discovered what to expect.
After orientation and dinner students were given free time to explore the hotel and its amenities, such as the coffee shop, arcade, pool, and lounge until curfew. Whenever we went anywhere, we traveled as a team — a very large contingent, 39 strong! As is the custom, in SkillsUSA, we are kind to others, and whenever some unsuspecting member from another technical school would hold the door for the first in our line, they were holding it open for quite some time as LCCTC student after student after student whisked through, trying to keep up with the pack.
Owen Davis, COT junior and Quizbowl competitor, stated “The anxiety flowing throughout the air as competition times drew near was something that could be sensed throughout the lodge and frankly, it was, without a doubt, truly unforgettable.”
Mackenzie Bollinger, Cosmo junior and Quizbowl competitor, stated “Despite how unnerving and unpredictable the experience was, it was an amazing opportunity that I was lucky to be a part of.”
In the morning, students woke up and prepared themselves for their competition. Ironed uniforms, hairpins, and hairspray, and nervous, last-minute checks to make sure they had all the tools needed were the buzz of the morning. Some students had to wake up at 5 AM to head to breakfast before catching a bus to other competition centers while others took their time preparing themselves to spend their day at the lodge having competitions in the building.
After the competitions, students enjoyed their time at the hotel with their friends. While nervous anxiety still existed, they knew they did all they could to compete. They had left it all on the line, and there was nothing they could do to change the results they’d hear on the next day. Instead of succumbing to their nervousness, they relaxed and had fun.
On the final day of the trip, students packed their bags and readied themselves to head to breakfast as a 39-member team where the cell phones would sit in the center of the tables waiting for the last member to finish eating. After breakfast, it would be time for the award ceremony hoping that the ceremony, they’d need to wait for an advisor to head to the nationals meeting, indicating that at least one had won gold.
To say that we heard the name “Lawrence County CTC” a few times during the medal ceremony would be an understatement. In all, 22 LCCTC students received medals, 13 bronze medals, 1 silver medal, and 8 gold medals! Those eight gold medalists will head to Atlanta, GA to compete at the SkillsUSA National Championships.
After the award ceremony, students changed into their outfits for the bus ride home, packed up the bus, and headed to the Hershey Factory for lunch with a sprinkle of Hershey chocolate. Students were given time to explore and purchase souvenirs. Finally, after all the excitement, anxiety, and amusement, 39 students, all wearing matching SkillsUSA Hershey t-shirts, returned home to hear the cheers and beeping car horns from our family and friends.
Jay Leddon, COT junior and state’s competitor, “The trip was an amazing experience and a great learning experience for my field of work!”
