Ocean County Vocational Technical School Students Bring Home 43 Medals From New Jersey SkillsUSA Championships

Ocean County Vocational Technical School Students Bring Home 43 Medals From New Jersey SkillsUSA Championships
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APRIL 21, 2026
Ocean County Vocational Technical School Students Bring Home 43 Medals From New Jersey SkillsUSA Championships
Ocean County Vocational Technical School Students Bring Home 43 Medals From New Jersey SkillsUSA Championships
Nicholas Spiech/Jennifer Etzkorn, OCVTS
APRIL 21, 2026
One hundred twenty-six Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS) students competed in the New Jersey SkillsUSA Championships in March and April at multiple sites across Ocean and surrounding New Jersey counties. Students earned 43 medals—17 gold, 12 silver, and 14 bronze—across more than 57 career and technical education events.
SkillsUSA is a national organization that develops students’ leadership, teamwork, and technical skills for career readiness. In addition to OCVTS campuses, competitions were hosted at industry partner sites including the N.E. Carpenters Apprentice Training Center in Edison, Bricklayer Apprentice Training Center in Bordentown, International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 825 in Dayton, Universal Technical Institute in Bloomfield, the Mercedes-Benz Training Center in Robbinsville, and Iron Workers Local 399 in Hammonton. The awards ceremony was held April 18, 2026, at Morris Knolls High School in Rockaway, where winners were announced.
Gold medalists may advance to the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, June 1–5 in Atlanta, Georgia. The event will bring together more than 19,000 participants, including students, instructors, and industry partners. More than 6,500 state champions will compete in 114 hands-on trade, technical, and leadership events at the Georgia World Congress Center.
GOLD MEDAL WINNERS
HOMETOWN, PROGRAMS OF STUDY, AND COMPETITION:
OCVTS BRICK CAMPUS:
Emily Moreno Garcia, Brick, Culinary Arts (Baking & Pastry Arts – Postsecondary);
Michael Glockner, Toms River, Building Construction Technology (Carpentry);
Austin Freer, Howell, HVAC-R II (HVAC-R – Postsecondary);
Aiden Flanagan, Toms River, Design & Visual Communications (Photography – Postsecondary);
Mariana Silvestre, Brick, Design & Visual Communications (Screen Printing).
OCVTS JACKSON CAMPUS:
Anthony Johnson, Beachwood, Cosmetology (Barbering – Postsecondary);
Marcos Gaspar, Manchester, Diesel Engine Technology (Diesel Equipment Technician);
Alexa Austin, Beachwood, Cosmetology (Manikin Fantasy Makeup – Postsecondary, State Contest Only);
Jake Wnek, Toms River, Automotive Technology (Motorcycle Service Technology).
MARINE ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (MATES):
Jeffrey Ni, Brick (Related Technical Math).
OCVTS TOMS RIVER CAMPUS:
Hannah Brattli, Toms River, Cosmetology (Advanced Haircoloring – Postsecondary);
Patrick Florek, Bayville, Electrical Trades (Electrical Construction Wiring – Postsecondary);
Annamariella Leal Marron, Toms River, Cosmetology (Esthetics – Postsecondary);
Aiden Oese, Bayville, Electrical Trades (Industrial Motor Control – Postsecondary);
Thomas Giersch, Waretown, Marine Service Technology (Marine Service Technician);
Kelcy McKenna, Little Egg Harbor, Welding (Welding Sculpture – Postsecondary).
SILVER MEDAL WINNERS
HOMETOWN, PROGRAMS OF STUDY, AND COMPETITION:
ACADEMY OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY (ALPS):
Kyle Canfield, Brick (Criminal Justice).
OCVTS BRICK CAMPUS:
Alexander Benitez Torres, Lakewood, Bricklayer, Allied Craftworker & Mason (Masonry).
OCVTS JACKSON CAMPUS:
Jonathan Perez Flores, Lakewood, Automotive Technology (Auto Service Technology – Postsecondary);
Rebeca Reyna Vasquez, Forked River, Medical Assistant (Basic Health Care Skills);
Michael Messina, Toms River, Heavy Equipment Operator (Heavy Equipment Operations);
Lillian Lembo, Toms River, Diesel Engine Technology (Job Skill Demonstration A).
MARINE ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (MATES):
Isabella Sadsad, Barnegat (Prepared Speech).
OCVTS TOMS RIVER CAMPUS:
Nikoll Parra, Brick, Cosmetology (Advanced Haircoloring – State Contest Only);
Diana Perez, West Creek, Cosmetology (Barbering – Postsecondary);
Adhem Bassyouni, Little Egg Harbor, Electrical Trades (Basic Residential Wiring – State Contest Only);
Emma Andersen, Manahawkin, Cosmetology (Manikin Fantasy Makeup – Postsecondary, State Contest Only);
Thomas Naia, Manahawkin, Marine Service Technology (Marine Service Technician).
BRONZE MEDAL WINNERS
HOMETOWN, PROGRAMS OF STUDY, AND COMPETITION:
ACADEMY OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY (ALPS)
Kylie O'Connor, Little Egg Harbor (Extemporaneous Speaking).
OCVTS BRICK CAMPUS:
Aiden Spakowski, Lanoka Harbor, Building Construction Technology (Basic Construction – State Contest Only);
Ariana Linke, Lanoka Harbor, Cosmetology (Manikin Fantasy Makeup – State Contest Only);
Joshua Kisthand, Cream Ridge, Bricklayer, Allied Craftworker & Mason (Masonry);
Colin McNamara, Bayville, Design & Visual Communications (Screen Printing).
OCVTS JACKSON CAMPUS:
Isabella Solano, Jackson, Cosmetology (Cosmetology Knowledge Bowl – State Contest Only);
Livia Blackstone, Jackson, Cosmetology (Cosmetology Knowledge Bowl – State Contest Only);
Osbaldo Campos, Lakewood, Cosmetology (Cosmetology Knowledge Bowl – State Contest Only);
Diana Suarez, Whiting, Cosmetology (Cosmetology Knowledge Bowl – State Contest Only);
Justin Gunderson, Manahawkin, Diesel Engine Technology (Power Equipment Technology).
MARINE ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (MATES):
Frankie Clarici, Pine Beach (Related Technical Math).
OCVTS WARETOWN CAMPUS:
Cole Siller, Bayville, Automotive Technology (Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair).
OCVTS TOMS RIVER CAMPUS:
Jacob Tice, Bayville, Computer Science (Computer Programming);
Joey Simone, Toms River, Marine Service Technology (Marine Service Technician).
Ocean County Vocational Technical School offers over 30 career training programs for high school students and adults. Visit
www.ocvts.org
for information about all of the programs and services offered at OCVTS. OCVTS is accepting applications for September classes. Discover how OCVTS can be a part of your future!
Follow OCVTS on twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
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Ocean County Vocational Technical School Students Bring Home 43 Medals From New Jersey SkillsUSA Championships
Nicholas Spiech/Jennifer Etzkorn, OCVTS
APRIL 21, 2026
Ocean County Vocational Technical School Students Bring Home 43 Medals From New Jersey SkillsUSA Championships
One hundred twenty-six Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS) students competed in the New Jersey SkillsUSA Championships in March and April at multiple sites across Ocean and surrounding New Jersey counties. Students earned 43 medals—17 gold, 12 silver, and 14 bronze—across more than 57 career and technical education events.
SkillsUSA is a national organization that develops students’ leadership, teamwork, and technical skills for career readiness. In addition to OCVTS campuses, competitions were hosted at industry partner sites including the N.E. Carpenters Apprentice Training Center in Edison, Bricklayer Apprentice Training Center in Bordentown, International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 825 in Dayton, Universal Technical Institute in Bloomfield, the Mercedes-Benz Training Center in Robbinsville, and Iron Workers Local 399 in Hammonton. The awards ceremony was held April 18, 2026, at Morris Knolls High School in Rockaway, where winners were announced.
Gold medalists may advance to the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, June 1–5 in Atlanta, Georgia. The event will bring together more than 19,000 participants, including students, instructors, and industry partners. More than 6,500 state champions will compete in 114 hands-on trade, technical, and leadership events at the Georgia World Congress Center.
GOLD MEDAL WINNERS
HOMETOWN, PROGRAMS OF STUDY, AND COMPETITION:
OCVTS BRICK CAMPUS:
Emily Moreno Garcia, Brick, Culinary Arts (Baking & Pastry Arts – Postsecondary);
Michael Glockner, Toms River, Building Construction Technology (Carpentry);
Austin Freer, Howell, HVAC-R II (HVAC-R – Postsecondary);
Aiden Flanagan, Toms River, Design & Visual Communications (Photography – Postsecondary);
Mariana Silvestre, Brick, Design & Visual Communications (Screen Printing).
OCVTS JACKSON CAMPUS:
Anthony Johnson, Beachwood, Cosmetology (Barbering – Postsecondary);
Marcos Gaspar, Manchester, Diesel Engine Technology (Diesel Equipment Technician);
Alexa Austin, Beachwood, Cosmetology (Manikin Fantasy Makeup – Postsecondary, State Contest Only);
Jake Wnek, Toms River, Automotive Technology (Motorcycle Service Technology).
MARINE ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (MATES):
Jeffrey Ni, Brick (Related Technical Math).
OCVTS TOMS RIVER CAMPUS:
Hannah Brattli, Toms River, Cosmetology (Advanced Haircoloring – Postsecondary);
Patrick Florek, Bayville, Electrical Trades (Electrical Construction Wiring – Postsecondary);
Annamariella Leal Marron, Toms River, Cosmetology (Esthetics – Postsecondary);
Aiden Oese, Bayville, Electrical Trades (Industrial Motor Control – Postsecondary);
Thomas Giersch, Waretown, Marine Service Technology (Marine Service Technician);
Kelcy McKenna, Little Egg Harbor, Welding (Welding Sculpture – Postsecondary).
SILVER MEDAL WINNERS
HOMETOWN, PROGRAMS OF STUDY, AND COMPETITION:
ACADEMY OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY (ALPS):
Kyle Canfield, Brick (Criminal Justice).
OCVTS BRICK CAMPUS:
Alexander Benitez Torres, Lakewood, Bricklayer, Allied Craftworker & Mason (Masonry).
OCVTS JACKSON CAMPUS:
Jonathan Perez Flores, Lakewood, Automotive Technology (Auto Service Technology – Postsecondary);
Rebeca Reyna Vasquez, Forked River, Medical Assistant (Basic Health Care Skills);
Michael Messina, Toms River, Heavy Equipment Operator (Heavy Equipment Operations);
Lillian Lembo, Toms River, Diesel Engine Technology (Job Skill Demonstration A).
MARINE ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (MATES):
Isabella Sadsad, Barnegat (Prepared Speech).
OCVTS TOMS RIVER CAMPUS:
Nikoll Parra, Brick, Cosmetology (Advanced Haircoloring – State Contest Only);
Diana Perez, West Creek, Cosmetology (Barbering – Postsecondary);
Adhem Bassyouni, Little Egg Harbor, Electrical Trades (Basic Residential Wiring – State Contest Only);
Emma Andersen, Manahawkin, Cosmetology (Manikin Fantasy Makeup – Postsecondary, State Contest Only);
Thomas Naia, Manahawkin, Marine Service Technology (Marine Service Technician).
BRONZE MEDAL WINNERS
HOMETOWN, PROGRAMS OF STUDY, AND COMPETITION:
ACADEMY OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY (ALPS)
Kylie O'Connor, Little Egg Harbor (Extemporaneous Speaking).
OCVTS BRICK CAMPUS:
Aiden Spakowski, Lanoka Harbor, Building Construction Technology (Basic Construction – State Contest Only);
Ariana Linke, Lanoka Harbor, Cosmetology (Manikin Fantasy Makeup – State Contest Only);
Joshua Kisthand, Cream Ridge, Bricklayer, Allied Craftworker & Mason (Masonry);
Colin McNamara, Bayville, Design & Visual Communications (Screen Printing).
OCVTS JACKSON CAMPUS:
Isabella Solano, Jackson, Cosmetology (Cosmetology Knowledge Bowl – State Contest Only);
Livia Blackstone, Jackson, Cosmetology (Cosmetology Knowledge Bowl – State Contest Only);
Osbaldo Campos, Lakewood, Cosmetology (Cosmetology Knowledge Bowl – State Contest Only);
Diana Suarez, Whiting, Cosmetology (Cosmetology Knowledge Bowl – State Contest Only);
Justin Gunderson, Manahawkin, Diesel Engine Technology (Power Equipment Technology).
MARINE ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (MATES):
Frankie Clarici, Pine Beach (Related Technical Math).
OCVTS WARETOWN CAMPUS:
Cole Siller, Bayville, Automotive Technology (Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair).
OCVTS TOMS RIVER CAMPUS:
Jacob Tice, Bayville, Computer Science (Computer Programming);
Joey Simone, Toms River, Marine Service Technology (Marine Service Technician).
Ocean County Vocational Technical School offers over 30 career training programs for high school students and adults. Visit
www.ocvts.org
for information about all of the programs and services offered at OCVTS. OCVTS is accepting applications for September classes. Discover how OCVTS can be a part of your future!
Follow OCVTS on twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
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