Bronx student wins gold in statewide competition

Bronx student wins gold in statewide competition

A local Bronx student brought home the gold in a statewide competition for Hydronic Heating.

Samuel B. Jeremiah III, a student of Alfred E. Smith Career-Technology High School, located 333 E. 151st Street, was one of many qualified participants in the SkillsUSA State Skills Conference.

The conference, held in Syracuse New York from Wednesday, April 1 thru Friday, April 3, had over 2,000 high school and college participants in 64 categories.

Competing against 10 other school representatives, Jeremiah had to quickly and efficiently assemble a heating system from start to finish.

With the help of teachers Pete Gonzales and Orvil Boatswain, Jeremiah was well prepared to face off against the other students.

“I felt really good about it and I was in the right state of mind,” said Jeremiah. “Mr. Gonzales helped me with the speed and Mr. Boatswain with perfection, so I was ready for the competition.”

Each year through sponsorship from Westchester Square Plumbing Supply Co., Inc., the high school is able to enroll talented students in the competition.

“It’s important to be apart of your community and this is something that will benefit the industry,” said Robert Bieder, treasurer at Westchester Square Plumbing Supply Co., Inc., and community activist. “You want qualified mechanics out there.”

The 2255 Westchester Avenue business helped by supplying the necessary materials required for the challenge.

“Westchester Square Plumbing Supply has more or less adopted our school and supplied us with materials,” said Gonzales. “They have been partnering with us for over 15 years.”

Jeremiah, a resident of E. Clarke Place, plans to graduate in June and continue his career training in college next fall.

For more information on SkillsUSA visit www.nysskillsusa.org.