For the past 16 years, Portsmouth High School has been competing in SkillsUSA, a career and technical student organization (CTSO). This year, PHS is sending 10 students on April 3-5, to the Seacoast School of Technology and Lakes Region Community College to compete in SkillsUSA NH.
SkillsUSA is a Career and Technical competition that is across all 50 states, with a state level and a national level. Competitors from middle school through college compete yearly in these competitions.
The Culinary program, run by Chef Anthony Pino, is sending four students to competitions. Sophomores Ethan Curtin and Finn Turner will compete in the culinary competition, and senior Elizabeth Longtin and sophomore Shaye McGrath will compete in the baking competition.
The culinary students work hard in and out of school, using their free blocks, flex, and staying after school to go through full test runs and practice their craft. Some students also work in restaurants. Chef Pino encourages his students to ask their mentors questions and have others try their creations before competitions.
The PHS Automotive program, taught by David Lilly who is also the Executive Director of SkillsUSA NH, is sending six students to the automotive competitions. Seniors Keghan Marshall, Aidan Callan, and Jason Gordon are competing in Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair. Sophomore Garrett Santos will be competing in Diesel Equipment Technology, and Seniors Justin Dubay and Peightyn Gallagher-Henry are competing in Power Equipment Technology.
Automotive students use their free blocks, flexes, and class resources to research their competition section. Students have open discussions and questions with Mr. Lilly, who explains and demonstrates to his students.
Courtney Ritchings, the PHS Director of Career & Technical Education, believes there is a plethora of benefits for SkillsUSA competitors.
“If you are one of the top competitors in the state, you have the opportunity to earn some scholarship money. A lot of business folks from throughout the state participate and run the competitions and donate towards the competitions so you actually get to network with people who could be potential employers,” Ritchings said.
Last school year, two PHS students made the top three placements at the national SkillsUSA competition in Atlanta, Georgia, making all of the students gearing up this year hungry for gold.
Santos said that PHS is, “standing on business.”