LEWISTOWN — The Winter Olympic Games aren’t the only ones handing out gold medals these days.

The Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology in Lewistown sent a bus full of students to this year’s SkillsUSA District 7 competition in Altoona. The Academy brought home a haul of 10 medals, and student Beth McKnight has advanced to states in Hershey from April 8 to 10 after winning a gold medal in medical assisting.

Other students bringing home medals included: Quinn Parson, silver medal (second place) in collision repair technology; Alexis Treaster, bronze medal (third place) in culinary arts; Bryanna Swartz, bronze medal in early childhood education; and Ava Kratzer, silver medal in electrical construction wiring.

Also, Izayah Helm, fifth place in job skill demonstration A; Daniel Rivera, bronze medal in job skill demonstration open; Drakco Smith, bronze medal in job interview; and Cole Linn and Johnny Welsh, silver medal as a team in mechatronics.

Nine other students competed at the district competitions but did not place. They included: Nola Demaree in automotive maintenance and light repair; Kathleen Williams in cosmetology; and Violet Lansberry and Serena Ulsh in esthetics.

Also, Claire Sunderland in extemporaneous speaking; Taylor Schreiner in masonry; Joshlyn Tate in medical math; and Autumn Raffensberger and Jaliyah Henry in nail care.

The results of the recent SkillsUSA competition were released Thursday during the Academy’s monthly Operating Committee meeting at the school, located at 700 Pitt St., Lewistown.

Nursing exam results

Academy students also posted an impressive showing on the first quarter National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), a standardized test required for nursing licensure from the State Board of Nursing for 2025-26, according to Lisa Becker, the interim director. Nine Academy students took the test, and all nine passed on their first attempt.

Field trips and events

The Operating Committee learned about the following field trips and events for Academy students:

• On Feb. 18, cosmetology students traveled to the hair salon at the Valley View Retirement Community in Belleville;

• On Feb. 27, Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) traveled to the Valley View Retirement Community to provide residents with carnations and visitations;

• On various dates from Jan. 16 through May 15, three to five students will travel to the LUMINA Center in Lewistown for Little Ones LUMINA Toddler story hour on each of 13 dates;

• On April 21, 19 sophomore students will visit State College cosmetology locations, including CosmoProf, Sally Beauty, Holiday Hair and Ulta, to experience various career opportunities;

• They approved a recommendation for the Cosmetology program to attend the Orlando Beauty show from Saturday, May 30, through Wednesday, June 3;

• They approved the Big Valley FFA’s request to attend the State Legislative Leadership Conference in Hershey on Sunday, March 22, through Tuesday, March 24;

• They also approved a request for SkillsUSA to attend the State Leadership and Skills Conference in Hershey from Wednesday, April 8, through Friday, April 10.

Other matters

The Operating Committee also:

• Heard about a grant that was submitted for exterior lighting upgrades.

• Approved a recommendation to place Steve Hogle Jr. at a salary of $57,500, to be prorated, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Next meeting

The next Operating Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, March 12, at a site to be determined. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. due to the nursing students’ graduation.