New York Air National Guard Hosts High School Student Skills Competition at Stratton Air Guard Base Wednesday

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STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, SCOTIA, NY (03/17/2015)(readMedia)-- Dozens of high school students from the Capital Region, North Country, Hudson Valley and beyond will be at Stratton Air National Guard Base to test their skills in everything from heavy equipment operation to heating equipment repair and nursing as part of the annual SkillsUSA competition.

Members of the press are invited to attend the event.

WHO: High School juniors from Capital Region BOCES, Questar III, Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES.

WHAT: Regional SkillsUSA Competition at Stratton Air National Guard Base.

WHEN: 9:30 a.m. - noon, Wednesday, March 18, 2015

WHERE: Stratton Air National Guard Base, 1 Air National Guard Road, Scotia, NY 12302

For access to this secure military facility, members of the media must contact Tech. Sgt. Catherine Schmidt at (518) 344-2423.

Media Opportunity:

Media personnel are invited to view the competition, talk to students about their futures and goals and how they will help the country overcome the Middle Skills Jobs Gap, as well as interview educators and leaders of Stratton Air National Guard Base to talk about their role in boosting the community and supporting students and educators.

Background:

SkillsUSA is a national organization for career and technical education students, and competitions are held annually at the regional, state and national levels. Business and industry leaders serve as judges during the competition. At Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Center (CTE), SkillsUSA members are school leaders and good citizens. They organize campus-wide events such as holiday food and fund drives, community service projects and blood drives.

296 students will participate in events at Stratton Air National Guard Base and Schenectady County Community College on Wednesday.

SkillsUSA members also serve as school ambassadors, welcoming guests to such Career & Tech events as the fall open house and BOCES Annual Meeting.

Stratton Air National Guard Base and the 109th Airlift Wing have hosted the event in the past. Members of the 109th Airlift Wing play a role in developing the events, coordinating the competition and judging the competitors.

"We are proud to once again be part of SkillsUSA," said Col. Shawn Clouthier, 109th AW commander. "SkillsUSA is a proven program that gives the youth of our community a foundation to build upon for a successful future. This is also a great way for our community and local students to see first-hand what our Airmen do each and every day."