More than 500 vo-tech students showcase their talent at Skills USA competitions at Allentown Fairgrounds | Allentown Area

ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The talents of Lehigh Valley vo-tech students are in the spotlight.

“I like the work. I think it’s fun doing it,” said Evan Bahry, a Skills USA contestant.

Bahry is among the students competing in Skills USA at the Allentown Fairgrounds.

“I like doing it. I’ve always had a competitive bone in my body,” said Bahry.

Students who win gold here move onto the state finals and have the chance of competing nationally too.

Bahry is in the team-works competition.

“So, from the floor to the roof, the electrical, the plumbing. We do all of it,” said Bahry.

More than 500 students are competing here today not only in front of their classmates, but in front of professionals who are serving as judges.

“There is such a need to fill the skills gap for these students, so this is really, I look at it sometimes as kind of a working interview,” said Andy Hammer, executive director of Skills USA Council. “There’s no other competition in the area like its kind, so we’re really proud to have what we have here. This is our 40th year of running this competition,” said Hammer.

“I’m having a lot of fun and I feel that I’ve been doing really well,” said Lillyvette Hierro, a Skills USA contestant.

It is Hierro’s first time competing. She is in cosmetology.

“I feel that you just have to try your best and work hard and no matter what there will always be a good outcome of doing it just for fun, for participating,” said Hierro.

Hammer is hoping students walk away with a sense of pride.

“They’re able to build their confidence and I tell the students there are no losers in this. There’s only opportunity to gain,” said Hammer.