Three Manhattan High Career and Technical Education organizations recently competed in Regional and State competitions to much success. 

SkillsUSA went to Kansas State Championships in Hutchinson on March 2-4, Health Occupations Students of America competed in their State competition in Wichita on March 2-3, and Entrepreneurship and Intro to Business competed in the Riley County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge on March 4.

HOSA’s Anotamage team of senior Jessica Kim and juniors Eera Venkatesh-Prasad and Audrey Geering topped the podium in their event for the third year in a row. Junior Elias Markle was named a state officer for next year, and 22 students placed and 13 of those qualified for the International Leadership Conference in Indianapolis. 

In the Riley County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, participants developed a business idea and presented them to judges. Sophomores Korbin Averlar and Tanner Dismore placed first in Prairie Roots Landscaping and Joss Hall earned the People’s Choice award in Pawtential. In total, five competitors placed.

All of these contests help students grow and get ready for potential careers.

SkillsUSA’s Teamworks team was faced with the challenge of building a 4×8 foot structure with siding, rafters, carpentry, electrical work, plumbing and masonry within two days. Seniors Tucker Callahan (lead carpenter), Aidan Holmes (electrician), Brecken Crist-Funk (plumber) and senior Alec Orgozolka (masonry) met the task with ease, taking home the gold medal and advancing to the National Championship in Atlanta. Senior Dawson Raw also qualified for Nationals by winning the State Architectural Drafting category, and six other members placed.

“I really like about architectural drafting is just the creativity that you get to do with it, and it just kind of comes naturally to me,” Raw said. “It’s something fun I love to do.”