13 qualifiers, 3 competitions

MILAN TWP. — What do six skills-focused, four future educators and three business-oriented students from EHOVE Career Center have in common? All 13 of them have qualified for their national competitions based on advancing in events all occurring earlier this year. "Participating in student organizations and competitions allows EHOVE students to apply the skills they've learned in their career tech program but also to experience the leadership opportunities, varied community service work and professional connections — all of which help them build their career path to success," said Kendra Ward, the career center's communications coordinator. The next SkillsUSA competition will be at the national conference hosted in June. DECA students will travel to Florida for their competition later this month, and the Educators Rising competitors will also compete in Florida at the end of June. SkillsUSA Earlier this year, five adult education and one high school student took first place in the state SkillsUSA competition in Columbus. SkillsUSA is an opportunity for students to compete against others and encourages them to give back to the community through service projects, according to Ward. Here are the students who placed: • Liam Fleming, a senior high school diesel mechanics student from Vermilion High School, took first place in the diesel equipment technology competition. At the competition, Fleming went through a series of stations to service and repair large diesel engine transmissions, drivetrains, electrical systems, brakes, hydraulic systems and cab components. "This competition means I get to prove my skills that I've been working on my whole life," Fleming said. "Makes a better name for me for employment, future opportunities in the workforce." • Madalyn Balduff, an adult education cosmetology student from Vickery, took first in the esthetics competition. She was judged on her performance of a basic facial, daytime makeup with an under-the-sea-themed fantasy makeup. "This accomplishment means a lot to me because it is a good representation of my beauty career," Balduff said. "I am very passionate about furthering my education, and this milestone has challenged me to do that." • Taylor McGarvey, an adult cosmetology student from Amherst, took first in the cosmetology competition. Her competition included long hair design, long hair cut and design, short hair cut and design, 90-degree haircut, hair color and highlight. "This accomplishment means everything to me and my career," McGarvey said. "Winning gold at SkillsUSA confirmed to me that I'm exactly where I need to be in life and pursuing exactly the right career. All I have is up from here. I'm so thankful and honored to have had the opportunity to compete." • KaMoni Wooten, an adult cosmetology student from Sandusky, took first in the braiding and hair design competition. Wooten worked on a mannequin to create box braids and cornrows with extensions. Using the theme ignite your passion, Wooten worked on a live model to create a fantasy braided style. • Emily Theibert, an adult cosmetology student from Port Clinton, took first in the barber competition. She was assigned to duplicate two haircuts, create a freestyle design with a beard and use hair color with a "Fire and Ice" theme. "This accomplishment means a lot to me and my future career," Theibert said. "Knowing I did something to put me out of my comfort zone, I'll be confident enough to do that the rest of my career if I start while in school." • Maddie Shirey, an adult cosmetology student from Sandusky, took first in the nail care competition. She was judged on a pedicure, acrylic nails using forms, light-cured enhancement application, polish and flat nail art application. "This accomplishment represents a significant milestone in my growth and progress," Shirey said. "It shows my dedication, hard work and ability to push through challenges. The skills and goals I've achieved with hopefully open doors for future opportunities." Educators Rising Four Educators Rising competitors competed at the state level and will now go on to the national competition. Two students competed in a team event and two worked alone. Educators Rising is an organization that allows students to apply the skills they have learned for their careers, gain leadership, make connections and participate in competitions and opportunities for scholarships, according to Ward. • Kali Kirby from St. Paul High School and Alyssa Protzman from Margaretta High School, two senior education and family career students, placed in the top 10 in the project visualize team competition. In this event, the students were tasked with creating a visual display highlighting a service project they completed in the community. They also included a written summary, presentation and a question-and-answer session with judges. "The competition meant a lot, especially with how our project made a humongous impact on our community, in general, and just knowing we did a great thing and made it even better," Kirby said. "We're just really happy with the impact we were able to make on the community," Protzman added. • Alexandrea Lattea, a senior education and family career student originally from New London High School, also placed in the top 10 of her teacher-created material event. In this competition, Lattea presented a file folder game on shapes which she would use to teach kindergarten math. The challenge included a summary, presentation and a question-and-answer session. Lattea said she was "Really proud and had a lot of fun making it and going to state." • Ava Bennett, a senior education and family career student originally from Vermilion High School, placed second in the creative lecture event. She had to give a public-speaking presentation — focused on technology, entertainment and design — on the topic "The Double-Edged Sword of AI." She wrote a speech and presented it along with a slideshow. She also had to participate in a question-and-answer session with judges. "It's about making myself, my family and EHOVE proud because without the support of everyone at EHOVE: our lab instructors, administration and even the board of education. None of it would be possible," Bennett said. DECA Three DECA students, shorthand for Distributor Education Clubs of America, took home third place in the Community Giving Project Management Event. This is an organization designed to prepare students for their futures in marketing, finance, hospitality and management, according to Ward. • EHOVE's team was made up of Kendall Balde, a senior from Edison High School; Kourtney Balde, a junior from Edison High School; and Grace Wiegel, a senior from Norwalk High School. All three are business and marketing students at EHOVE. In their competition, the students identified a problem, created a project management plan, implemented it and wrote a report and presentation on the project. "The opportunity itself competing in state and making it to nationals is amazing and, honestly, really incredible for us three," Kendall said. "I'm glad of the impact we made on our community and overall it was a lot of fun." The competition "was a great way to get EHOVE's message out and show how great a campus we are," Wiegel said. "It was also a really nice feeling to have our community giving project recognized." "This win means a lot because I get to do it with my sister and one of our really good friends and we get to touch so many people with our project," Kourtney said. "Presenting it means a lot more because we can touch more."