TCD students perform well in state contest

Sixteen high school students representing Technology Center of DuPage in Addison placed among the top 10 in nine contests - including two state champions - at the recent 2016 Illinois SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Conference.

The annual state championship featured more than 2,000 participants and more than 85 contests.

Martin Stubben, a Winfield senior from St. Francis High School in TCD's automotive technology program, placed first in the state in the automotive service technician division. Lake Park High School senior and Itasca resident Rachael Kennedy placed first in aesthetics, with TCD cosmetology classmate Christina Labedz of Hinsdale South as her model.

Mark Petrukovich, a Lyons Township senior in TCD auto body, took a third place medal in automotive refinishing. Joseph Egan, a senior TCD EMT student from Willowbrook High School placed fourth in First Aid/CPR. Two students from TCD multimedia teamed up and placed fourth in television production: junior Ashley DiPentino, West Chicago Community High School, and Laura Bozovic, an Oak Brook senior from Downers Grove North.

See www.tcdupage.org for all TCD competitors who placed among the top 10 in the state.

As state champs, Stubben and Kennedy are eligible to compete at the 2016 National SkillsUSA Skills and Leadership Conference, June 20-24 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Technology Center of DuPage is the career and technical education elective for juniors and seniors from 24 DuPage County and Lyons Township high schools. While preparing for college and a career, students earn high school credit, college credit, and available industry certifications.

SkillsUSA is a national partnership of students, teachers, and industry serving high school, college, and professional members who are enrolled in career and technical education (CTE) programs. The organization promotes education, leadership, and citizenship through its activities and competitions at regional, state, national, and international levels.