One Pocono Mountain student was named Student of the Year and four others brought home awards from the SkillsUSA competition in Hershey, Pa., recently.

Chris Nagel, a senior at Pocono Mountain West High School, was selected as the SkillsUSA Student of the Year.  Chris studies protective services at the Monroe Career and Technical Institute, and participates in and organizes SkillsUSA activities at the Institute, in addition to volunteering his time to the school. 

Michael Pipiliangas, a senior at Pocono Mountain East High School, won first place in precision machining technology.  This is the first time a student at MCTI won first place in that category.  With this first place finish, Michael has qualified to compete at the national level contest in June.  Michael also received a $5,000 scholarship to Baran Institute of Technology.

Matt Hardy, a junior at Pocono Mountain East who competed in the category of  residential wiring; Michael Pennington, a junior at Pocono Mountain West who competed in the quiz bowl; and Amber Walters, a sophomore at Pocono Mountain East who competed in the quiz bowl, all earned second place awards at the SkillsUSA competition.

The SkillsUSA competition is a vocational trade contest for students who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health.