PORTSMOUTH — Shawnee State University’s Director of Campus Partnerships and the Center for Lifelong Learning, Amanda Hedrick, served as this year’s coordinator for the Early Childhood Education competition at the 2022 Skills USA Ohio State Championships held May 3 and 4 in Columbus, Ohio at the Convention Center.

The SkillsUSA Ohio State Championships brings over 5000 competitors, business and industry partners, instructors, and vendors together in over 100 contests in all 16 Career Pathways to showcase Career and Technical Education in Ohio. Students compete for the title of best in Ohio in their respective career fields.

Early Childhood Education contestants completed a written knowledge exam, book reading demonstration, lesson plan demonstration, and interview. Jackson Harper of Scarlet Oaks CDC won gold, Alexis Palmer of Ohio Valley Career and Technical Center won silver, and Rozalyn Payton of Vanguard-Sentinel CTC-Vanguard Campus won bronze. Each student was awarded a $500 scholarship from Shawnee State University to further their education in the field.

Along with competitions students get a chance to campaign for the opportunity to be selected to be one of seven every year to hold the title of State Officer in the yearly delegate assembly and officer elections. Ohio Business and Industry display their products and offer employment opportunities for students at the SkillsUSA Ohio Techspo.

Students who are interested in learning more about SkillsUSA and the Championships can register to participate in the SkillsUSA Ohio Leadership Experience and Championships tour led by SkillsUSA Ohio Alumni and State Advisors. These students will experience a “sneak peak” of all that SkillsUSA Ohio has to offer and receive a guided tour of the Championships while interacting with business and industry partners.

SkillsUSA Ohio’s mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens.​ SkillsUSA improves the quality of America’s skilled workforce through a structured program of citizenship, leadership, employability, technical and professional skills training.

For more information, contact Amanda Hedrick at [email protected] or 740-351-3188.