Clay High career-technical students recognized for state placings; several qualify for national competitions

The Oregon City Schools Board of Education spent a portion of its May 20 meeting recognizing Clay High School career-technical student organizations (CTSOs) for state competition placings and national qualifiers.

Presenters included program advisors who read names and summarized results for Business Professionals of America (BPA), DECA, Educators Rising, FFA, HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) and SkillsUSA. Advisors described individual and team placings at state competitions and noted students who qualified for national competitions in Orlando and other locations.

Key details from advisors' remarks: - BPA: a presenter said the program has 18 students; 13 competed at states, 12 placed and eight qualified for nationals. A later presenter gave slightly different counts (14 who went to state, seven who advanced to nationals). Advisors named students and events (for example, Preston Gibbs placed first in computer modeling at states). - DECA: advisor Catherine Segan said 42 students participate in DECA; 24 advanced out of regionals to state and several placed at state, with four students attending international competition in Orlando. Advisor noted a team that raised over $3,000 for the Lucas Mason Memorial Scholarship as part of a DECA project. - Educators Rising: advisor Becky Oberdeck said the group is in its second year; seven students competed at state and four qualified for nationals in Orlando (dates given June 25–29). - FFA: advisors Meredith Wolf and Ashley Garlick were not present; presenters listed roughly 19 state placers and read names of students in attendance. - HOSA: advisor Carrie Blewett (Katie Blewett referenced in the transcript) said 37 students are enrolled, 18 competed at states; one junior, Nadia Ball, placed second in the state anatomy and physiology test and is likely to compete nationally next year. - SkillsUSA: advisor Anna Skinner reported 170 student members, 22 competed at state; several placed, including a silver medal in precision machining for Raymond Jerski.

Advisors and board members highlighted the district’s five-star career-technical rating in Ohio and praised the students and staff. Superintendant Dr. Fritz and board members offered congratulations.

Notes on counts: presenters’ figures varied in places (for example, different counts for BPA attendance and qualifiers were reported by different advisors); this article reports the numbers as stated by presenters and notes where counts differed.

There was no formal board vote tied to the recognitions; the segment was ceremonial and informational.