The month of March can also be considered a “march madness” of sorts for students in career and technical programs throughout Rhode Island as they compete in nearly 55 competitions in the SkillsUSA State Competition. The Warwick Area Career and Technical Center had success in this year’s program with 31 students earning first, second or third place in their respective areas. One important aspect of Warwick’s involvement with SkillsUSA is that the students only take part in competitions related to the trade skills they are studying.

Winners of the Rhode Island competitions were announced on Wednesday, March 26 during the awards ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Providence. Of the 70 Warwick students who competed, 31 received medals.

“It’s a huge accomplishment. That is almost half,” said Brian Vadeboncoeur, one of the SkillsUSA advisors at the Career Center.

Vadeboncoeur added that this year’s results are similar to what has happened in previous years; there are usually around 30 students who medal with about a dozen receiving gold.

The 12 first-place finishers will compete at the National Leadership and Skills Conference in Kansas City, Mo. from June 23 to June 27. Four teachers and the school’s student state officer will also attend the conference.

The Career Center will hold two fundraisers to help raise the money necessary to send their students to nationals in June. The cost is $1,120 per student; the students do pay $280 towards the trip.

The first fundraiser is the SkillsUSA Breakfast Fundraiser at Dave’s Bar and Grill on May 3 from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. The minimum donation is $8; tickets are available by calling 734-3150.

The second fundraiser is the Warwick Area Career and Technical Center’s 18th Annual Golf Tournament at the Cranston Country Club on May 31. The cost is $125 per person for dinner, green’s fee, carts, donation and prizes. There is also a dinner only option for $30. For more information call 734-3150. Sponsorships for the tournament are also available.

Students at the Career Center come from home schools including Pilgrim High School, Toll Gate High School, Warwick Veterans Memorial High School and West Warwick High School.

The following students finished in first place in their competitions: Jacob Plaziak for Architectural Drafting; Matthew Lamarsh for Carpentry; Caleb Gouge for Computer Inter-Networking Technology; Steven Russell for Computer Maintenance; Briona Gardner for Job Skill Demo; Russell Blank for Marine Technology; Nick Perreault for Photograph; Cameron Healey, Jared Connors, David DaLomba and Matt Joaquin for the Teamworks construction competition; Jason Valdes, Technical Drafting.

The following students earned second place in their respective competitions: Kendra LaFontaine for Advertising Design; Miranda Valdes for Architectural Drafting; Hannah Harrison for Basic Health Care Skills; Justin Ford for Carpentry; Adam Landroche for Computer Inter-Networking Technology; Makenzie Ford for Esthetics; Jordan Duffy for Medical Math; Celina Carriero for Nurse Assisting; Jessica Pietros and Lyan Pacheco for Promotional Bulletin Board; Mossimo Leone for Technical Drafting; Jessabella Baez for T-Shirt Design.

The following students placed third in their respective competitions: Brendan Thornton for Architectural Drafting; Brianna Stillson for Basic Health Care Skills; Austin LeDoux for Cabinetmaking; Kevin Williams for Computer Inter-Networking technology; Tyler Griffin for Electrical Construction Wiring; Cameron Lefebvre for Technical Drafting and Jacinda Toth for T-Shirt Design.