Demari Perkins, an 11th grader at Watervliet High School, is among the nearly 70 students from 19 area school districts who will represent Capital Region BOCES during a statewide competition this month that tests their abilities in the skilled trades and workplace.
The students will showcase their work-related skills at the competition, which takes place at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse from April 26-28. Winners from that event will advance to the national SkillsUSA competition in June.
Demari is no stranger to the SkillsUSA competition. He is among the 20 Capital Region BOCES Career and Tech students to earn regional honors in March, which qualified him to advance to the state competition.
“Winning regionals was pretty surreal. I am looking forward to going to states and exceeding my limits,” said Demari.
Students compete in a variety of categories that demonstrate their knowledge and skills. Demari, who is enrolled in the Network Cabling Tech/Smart Home Technology program at BOCES, captured first place in the regional competition for Extemporaneous Speaking.
Scholars taking part in the competition attend the Career & Technical Education Center Albany and Schoharie campuses from the following school districts: Berne-Knox-Westerlo (BKW), Bethlehem, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (BHBL), Cobleskill-Richmondville (CRCS), Duanesburg, Green Island, Guilderland, Middleburgh, Mohonasen, Niskayuna, Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk (RCS), Schalmont, Schenectady, Schoharie, Scotia-Glenville, Sharon Springs, Shenendehowa, South Colonie and Watervliet.
We wish Demari and all the Capital Region BOCES students who are competing at states the very best of luck!