ROCKLAND — Mid-Coast School of Technology had nine students participate in the 2023 National Leadership and Skills Conference this year, taking place in Atlanta, Georgia. Annually, approximately 15,000 people attend the conference making up students, teachers, colleges, and industry partners.

Students compete at the high school and postsecondary levels in various competitions.

Last week Mid-Coast sent teams for Health Knowledge Bowl, Emergency Medical Technician, and individuals for Welding Sculpture, CNC 3-Axis Milling Programmer, and Computer Programming. All teams and individuals earned Gold at the Maine State Competition in March earning their spot in Atlanta.

In CNC 3-Axis Milling Programmer, recent graduate Asa Burgess brought home a Bronze Medal in his competition of 43 competitors, each being the top competitors from their state. Burgess took two years of Machine Tool while also working at Knox Machine, in Warren. He plans to continue working at Knox Machine while also attending Southern Maine Community College in the fall to study CNC Machining.

The EMT team was made up of Jillian Barnard and Taber Twitchell and placed 10th in the nation. Barnard was a junior this year in the EMT class with future plans to go into the healthcare field. Twitchell just graduated after completing 2 years in the Small Engines & Compact Diesel program and Firefighting. He also attended an adult ed EMT evening program this spring. He plans to use his Firefighter 1 and 2 certifications to work for the Hope Fire Department.

Braden Luce competed in Welding Sculpture. He was a first year Welding student as a junior with plans to return next year as a 2nd year Welding student. His final placement was undetermined at the time of this release.

Brooke Vincent attended the National Leadership and Skills Conference competing in Computer Programming and placed 6th nationally. Vincent just finished her junior year and the 2nd year of Design Technology. Her plans after high school include furthering her study in computer programming.

The Health Knowledge Bowl team of four made up of Alydia Hatch, Ashleigh Cronin, Maggie Gill, and Emilee Masonoff placed 16th. Hatch and Cronin, both recent graduates, completed a year in Medical Science where they earned 3 college credits in Medical Terminology. Hatch plans to attend SMCC in the fall to study nursing while Cronin will be enrolled at the University of Maine to study Kinesiology. Gill recently graduated and completed the EMT program and has plans to attend Bates College to study Biology before attending medical school to become a pediatric oncologist. Masonoff just finished her junior year and the CNA program and earned her CNA Certification. She plans to return to Mid-Coast next year and attend the Medical Science program.

“Mid-Coast School of Technology is very excited and proud of all of the students that competed this year,” said MCST, in a news release. “These students are bound to do great things in their future and will make positive contributions to the Midcoast region. This opportunity for these students to attend the National Leadership and Skills Conference would not be possible without the support of the community and the generous donations made by local businesses and individuals. We thank all who so graciously supported these students.”