ATLANTA, Ga. - They may not have returned with the top award, but Jaelyn Byrd and Katelyn Masden are back from Atlanta, Ga. with terrific experiences and great memories. Jaelyn and Katelyn, rising Seniors at North Dorchester and Cambridge-South Dorchester High Schools respectively, represented the SkillsUSA chapter from Dorchester Career and Technology Center at the National Leadership and Skills Conference held June 20-24, accompanied by chapter advisor Charlene Zinnel.

Twelve thousand SkillsUSA members attended the event, many of them competing in the skill area which they are studying at school. The DCTC chapter was invited to send representatives as one of the top eight chapter finalists nationally for Technical Skills in the organization’s prestigious Models of Excellence program.

As finalists in the Models of Excellence, the DCTC crew were introduced on stage at the State Farm Arena twice, enjoyed the Opening Ceremony from VIP Skybox suites, had free tickets to visit the Georgia Aquarium where the Models of Excellence award dinner was also held, and enjoyed backstage passes to meet Flo Rida after his performance at the event. It wasn’t all fun and games, though. Jaelyn and Katelyn each had several days of leadership training and a presentation about one of the DCTC’s activities to make to judges.

“Congratulations to the DCTC chapter of SkillsUSA and advisor Chef Zinnel and thank you to Jaelyn and Katelyn for representing your fellow SkillsUSA members at DCTC so well,” a statement from DCPS said.