Over spring break, the Millionaire students who placed first at the SkillsUSA District Competition traveled to Hershey, PA to compete at a statewide level. The SkillsUSA State Competition is an opportunity for students to showcase the knowledge they have gained over the past three years in their respective Career Technical Education courses.

Elizabeth Ryder took 1st place in the Basic Health Knowledge division. Elizabeth Ryder is the type of student who puts forth her best effort in all endeavors. Ryder was initially shocked that she won her division and counted herself out before she heard her name called for 1st place. “I was shocked when I won. Genuinely, I thought I got 4th to 5th. I went up against ten other girls, and they all seemed competent and sure of themselves.”

Elizabeth Ryder will now compete at the national level when she travels to Atlanta, Georgia for the national competition held June 19-June 23. Ryder is excited about competing at the national level.” As for nationals, I’m excited, but I know I’ll be a little fish in a big pond. I want to have a good time at nationals and do what I do best.”

The Williamsport Community is certainly proud of Elizabeth, and Elizabeth’s Williamsport Area High School family wishes her luck in Atlanta.

In addition to Ryder’s accomplishment, two seniors placed second at the competition. Carter Weaver took second in medical math and James Inwright competed in advertising design.

The other students who qualified for states:  Tommy Foster (pin design), Dominic Flory (culinary arts), Owen Bower (telecommunications cabling), Chandra Apker (t-shirt design), Kristen Goodman (electrical construction wiring), Noah McKenzie (information technology service), and Evan Beiter (early childhood education). Samantha Carpenter, Makaylah Johnson, Leo Miller, and Laila Robertson competed in the Health Knowledge Bowl.