Huntington Students Excel at State SkillsUSA and FFA Contests

Students from Huntington High School shined in this year’s state SkillsUSA and FFA competitions. Valerie Ferreira won first place in architectural and interior design/CAD (computer aided design) in the SkillsUSA contest and Grey Hodgkinson captured second place in the individual veterinary science competition and first place in the team FFA contest.

SkillsUSA is a national student organization that offers leadership, citizenship and character development programs to complement the skills training that vocational students receive in career and technical programs at Western Suffolk BOCES-Wilson Tech.

FFA is more than 100 years old. It is an organization for those preparing for careers in agricultural and animal fields. “As our world becomes more interconnected and nuanced, fewer individuals may own or work on farms,” FFA’s website states. “Still, nearly 20 percent of people contribute to abundant and accessible food supplies; sustainable practices and conservation policies; and the ethical treatment of people, animals and land through their careers.”

The senior said the key to her success has been “my ability to stay consistent through hard work and dedication paired with effective time management and the support of friends and family. I’ve especially enjoyed the opportunity to explore a variety of subjects in high school and discover my passions.”

Mr. Hodgkinson has excelled in the Western Suffolk BOCES/Wilson Tech veterinary science program. The teenager has found the program to be life altering and it has paved the way for a future in the field. His veterinary knowledge and skills led him to top place finishes in the state competition. The senior won the ALIVE Outstanding Student Award that carries a $100 stipend. He intends to continue his studies in the veterinary science program at SUNY Delhi.

“I am incredibly proud of Grey’s accomplishments over the past four years and so happy that he found a true home in the Wilson Tech program,” said Lauren Brunoni, a Huntington school counselor. “It’s been amazing to watch him grow and succeed in an environment that supports his passions and skills. I can’t wait to see what the future brings from Grey.”

Mr. Hodgkinson played a key role on Wilson Tech’s state championship winning veterinary science team at the SkillsUSA contest.

“Each year, we invite representatives from Wilson Tech to speak to all of our tenth graders, ensuring every student is aware of the valuable opportunities the program offers,” Mrs. Brunoni said. “It’s an important step in helping them discover paths that can shape their future during and beyond high school.”

“Representing more than 442,000 career and technical education students and teachers, SkillsUSA chapters thrive in middle schools, high schools and college/postsecondary institutions nationwide,” according to the national organization’s website. “SkillsUSA students hone their hands-on skills against current industry standards in more than 130 occupational areas, from 3D Animation to Welding and nearly everything in between. At the same time, they develop the transformative career-readiness skills — teamwork, communication, professionalism, leadership and more — that fuel career and life success. A vital solution to the ongoing skills gap, where more highly skilled jobs are available than skilled professionals ready to fill them, SkillsUSA has served over 15 million diverse, difference-making members since 1965.”

Numerous other Huntington students studying at Wilson Tech have won awards this year, including Jose Diaz Gamez, who garnered a $500 ACTEA Olivio Scholarship as well as an $800 ALIVE Scholarship; a $500 FARE Scholarship and the $500 John & Angela Colandrea Scholarship, all in automotive technology.

Karen Saloma captured the $300 Joseph G. McGuire Scholarship in criminal justice. Yorman Portillo Reyes is the recipient of the $250 Patrick Jameson Kelly Scholarship in welding.

Huntington can boast of having seven new members of the National Technical Honor Society in Richard Davis (medical assisting/lab), Jeffrey Garcia (aviation/flight science), Grey Hodgkinson (veterinary medical assistant), Juanita Marquez Alvarez (medical assisting/lab), Karen Saloma (criminal justice), Katherine Valle Herrera (medical assisting/lab) and Joanna Villalta Vilorio (medical assisting/lab).