15 Wright Tech students place at CT SkillsUSA

Sophomore Michael Samela, one of the youngest competitor at CT SkillsUSA, beat out a crowded field of older students to place third in the Automotive Technology Services competition. 

CTSkills USA President Eddie DeMarkey, a Junior,  placed second in Extemporaneous Speaking and third in the Job Interview contest. 

In all, 15 Wright Tech students placed in the top tier in most of the contests they entered at the yearly trade competition held each March. This year, roughly 1,000 students participated from across the 17 schools that make up the Connecticut Technical High School system, plus a handful of other public high schools. This year’s theme is “No Limits.” Following CTSkills USA competition, all participants attended an awards ceremony at Southern Connecticut State University. 

“We are so very proud of all our competitors and those who represented JM Wright Tech in the Skills USA showcase for CTECS,” said Principal Jayme Beckham. “Our rankings show just how skilled and talented our students are across all our trades.”

The following are the students who placed. A “Finalist” in a category indicates they placed 4th, 5th, or 6th place.

• Eddie DeMarkey (Junior – Culinary): Extemporaneous Speaking (2nd place) & Job Interview (3^rd place)
• Sara Amador (Junior – Plumbing): Top 5 Finalist in Job Skill Demonstration 
• Declan Oneill (Junior – Carpentry): 3^rd Place in Cabinetmaking
• Quinn Robertson Russo (Junior – Carpentry): Top 5 Finalist in Carpentry
• Jason Cash (Junior – Culinary): 3^rd Place in Culinary
• Edwin Rodriguez Reyes (Senior – Plumbing): 3^rd Place in Plumbing
• Junior Lopez Hercules (Senior – Electrical): Top 5 Finalist in Electrical Construction Wiring
• Darlin Rivera (Sophomore – Health Tech): Finalist in the Health Knowledge Bowl
• Stefany Morales (Sophomore – Health Tech): Top 5 Finalist in the Health Knowledge Bowl
• Ethan Saddler (Sophomore – Heath Tech): Finalist in the Health Knowledge Bowl
• Adrielly Augusto (Sophomore – Health Tech): Finalist in the Health Knowledge Bowl
• Michael Samela (Sophomore – Automotive): 3^rd Place in Automotive Service Technology
• Efrain Bonilla Gonzales (Junior – Digital Media): Top 5 Finalist in Television (Video) Production
• Joseph Liscek (Junior – Digital Media): Top 5 Finalist in Television (video) Production