Manatee Technical College earns five golds at SkillsUSA National Championships

Five Manatee Technical College students won championships at the 2017 National SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Ky., where over 6,000 students from across the U.S. were competing in 100 different occupation and leadership team and individual contests June 19-23.

MTC gold medalists were Patrick Kelly for marine service technology, Nashalye Nazario-Mendez and Emily Ingram for nail care, and Matthew Vreman and Belinda Velez for web design.  

Besides the champions, MTC had four second-place winners and one bronze finisher. Placing second were Alexander Woodham and Lynda Carrel for business management and technology career pathways showcase, Mark Delibertis for firefighting, and Jasmine Griffith for nurse assisting. 

Maria Carlos was the bronze medalist in the technical computer applications division.   

MTC students Craig DeToma and Matthew Vreman were recognized for their commitment to volunteering, as they were awarded U.S. Presidential Volunteer Service Awards.  DeToma earned a "Lifetime" award for volunteering over 4,000 hours, and Vreman earned a "Gold" award for more than 250 hours of community service in 12 months.