Photo Courtesy Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Annapolis, MD - Bridget Long captured the gold medal in the Culinary Arts competition and Anne Arundel County Public Schools students earned two other bronze medals as part of a standout performance at the national SkillsUSA competition in Atlanta.
Long, who represented the Center of Applied Technology South at the event and graduated from South River High School earlier this month, had to create and prepare a five-course menu demonstrating technical skills, time management, professionalism, and food safety practices along with completing a written certification exam. The medal carries with it a full scholarship to the Culinary Institute of America in New York, as well as a golden ticket to compete in the World Food Championships.
“There were high level competitors at nationals; the level of talent was incredible,” said Long, who is pictured above with CAT South teacher Chef Pam Klink. “SkillsUSA taught me about industry professionalism and enforced that diligence and hard work really do pay off. I’m excited to use this win as a way to kick-start my career in the culinary industry.”
CAT North’s Isabella Izquieta-Cochamanidis earned a bronze medal in the Restaurant Service competition and the Severna Park High School team of Holly Braughton, Jackson DuPee, Evelyn Elder and Tilu Nomm earned bronze in the Entrepreneurship competition. The SkillsUSA Championships, held each June as part of SkillsUSA’s National Leadership and Skills Conference, is the premier showcase of America’s most highly skilled career and technical education students. It features more than 6,500 state champions taking part in 114 competitions.
In addition to the medalists, AACPS had eight other entrants finish in the top 10 in their respective categories. They were:
- Maya Foy-Filer (CAT South), fourth place, Job Interview
- Morgon Staples (CAT North), fifth place, Internetworking
- Kai Marcalus (CAT South), sixth place, Action Skills
- Akira Carter, Cynthia Noumy and Denise Walker (CAT North), seventh place, Career Pathways Showcase: Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
- Gabriela Avalos Reyes, eighth place, Barbering
- Mason Seitz (CAT North), ninth place, Plumbing
- Ashley Collins (CAT North), 10th place, Graphic Communications
- Sylvia Calabrese (CAT South), 10th place, Prepared Speech
“Our Centers of Applied Technology and Career and Technical Education programming at our high schools are second to none and our students amaze me every time I see them in action,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell said. “When we focus on creating spaces where every student can Belong, Grow, and Succeed, this is the result. These are students we’ll be hearing about for years to come, and I congratulate them all.”
