ELECTRIFYING EFFORT
Academy’s Scyoc scores h.s. silver medal at nationals
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LEWISTOWN -- Keagan Scyoc spent the last three years learning the electrical installation trade at the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology.
Scyoc, who lives in Burnham and is a 2023 graduate of Mifflin County High School, often earned the praise of his instructors for his dedication and work ethic.
When Scyoc qualified to compete at the 2023 SkillsUSA Championships in Atlanta, he wasn't certain how his talents would fare against students from around the country. Scyoc knew if he kept the faith, trusting his training, that the rest would fall into place. And it did.
Scyoc earned a high school silver medal in Telecommunications Cabling at the June 19-23 event. More than 6,000 students from all 50 states competed at this year's national showcase of career and technical education.
The championships are held annually for students in middle school, high school or college/postsecondary programs as part of the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference.
"I would like to thank all my family, friends, and my community for keeping me in their thoughts and prayers as I went through this amazing experience and journey," Scyoc said. "A special thanks to my mom who went to Atlanta with us to support me and spend time with me.
A total of 1,250 gold, silver and bronze medals were presented to students on June 23 at the SkillsUSA Awards Session.
Scyoc is the first electrical student to compete in a national competition in the Academy's history. He's also the first national winner the electrical class ever had. School officials said an Academy student has not achieved national champion medal status over the past 15 years.
Students were invited to the event based on their outstanding state-level performance in career competitions held earlier this spring. Scyoc qualified after winning the Pennsylvania title.
"The trip to Nationals gave me an amazing chance to show the nation what I have learned in the past three years as a student in the electrical program at the Academy and also as a co-op student at Kish Valley Electric," Scyoc added.
Scyoc and his mother, Niki; Steven Hogle Jr., Scyoc's electrical installation instructor at the Academy, and Hogle's daughter, Allison; and Shelly Waters Royer, Scyoc's SkillsUSA advisor attended the event.
SkillsUSA is a career and technical student organization, run by students, to develop workplace skills, personal skills, and technical skills grounded in academics.
Scyoc competed against other career and technical education students from across the United States during three days of written exams, employment and customer service interviews and skill-based projects.
In addition to receiving a silver medal, Scyoc received numerous tools and equipment that will benefit him in post-secondary training as well as employment. He is scheduled to attend Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster in the fall, majoring in electrical construction technology.
Hogle also thanked everyone who has supported Scyoc during his journey, "Various community members and businesses who have helped financially as well as cards, messages and phone calls with well wishes." Both he and Scyoc acknowledged Eric Yoder of X-Pert Communications Inc. of State College for his time and dedication in helping Scyoc prepare for the fiber optic portion of the contest.
"This showcase of career and technical education demonstrates SkillsUSA at its finest," said SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis. "Our students, instructors and industry partners work together to ensure that every student excels. This program expands learning and career opportunities for our members."
All students at the Academy are eligible to join SkillsUSA.
Thankful for his success, Scyoc had one piece of advice for next year's students: "You can do all thing through Christ who gives you strength."