School committee approves Lewiston Tech students’ trip to SkillsUSA national conference

The Lewiston School Committee on April 27 approved a request for Lewiston Regional Technical Center (LRTC) students to attend the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta, voting 8–0 to authorize the trip.

Rob Callahan, director of LRTC, told the committee the program worked to keep the opportunity available despite scheduling conflicts this year and that advisers and staff have rearranged schedules to support students’ participation. He introduced advisers Paul Kennedy (plumbing instructor), Jess Doone (multimedia teacher and SkillsUSA adviser) and carpentry teacher Jason Merritt, and said nine students qualified for nationals after state competitions.

Two students addressed the committee. Jaden, who competes in crime‑scene investigation, described the teamwork and timed measurement tasks of the competition and said the experience broadens students’ career exposure. Cooper Bullier, a Lewiston High senior in the multimedia program, said his video production team won gold at state and described the national conference as an educational and networking opportunity.

Advisers outlined fundraising and cost‑sharing plans, including sponsorship targets (roughly $1,000 per student), raffles, a lobster roll pop‑up and a car‑show fundraiser. In response to questions from Member Julia Harper, advisers said they expect fundraising to cover student costs and that bottle‑drive donations tagged to LRTC can be dropped at the plumbing shop at 156 East Ave, Lewiston.

Member Amber Boden moved to approve the trip and was seconded; the superintendent clarified the committee was not being asked to approve district funding for the travel. The committee carried the motion in a roll call vote reported as 8–0.

The committee offered its thanks and wished students well; the presenters said they would return with updates on fundraising progress and logistics.