Norwin student wins Skills USA competition

A Norwin High School junior who is in the Aspiring Educators program at Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center is headed to Atlanta this summer for a national Skills USA competition in the early childhood education category.

Avery Waszo, 17, of North Huntingdon, qualified for the state Skills USA Championship in Atlanta by winning the early childhood education category at the Pennsylvania Skills USA Championship in Hershey last month. She had earned a spot in the state competition by winning in her category at the Regional Skills USA Championship in Johnstown in January.

When her name flashed on the screen at the state competition and she went onto the stage to accept her award in front of her fellow students and advisors, Waszo said “it was one of the best moments of my life.”

She is the first state Skills USA winner among the students in the Aspiring Educators program, a career and technology center official said.

Waszo said she is excited for the opportunity and plans to train for the championship, just like any athlete preparing for a big game or contest.

“I will be preparing for the exam and lesson planning with my teachers and practicing my book-reading skills at my daycare job,” Waszo said.

Once she is finished displaying her talent at the national Skills USA Championship in June 23-27, Waszo plans to travel to Orlando, Fla. when it is finished to compete in the Educators Rising National Competition.

SkillsUSA is a student-led partnership of education and industry that focuses on building the future skilled workforce. SkillsUSA represents nearly 400,000 students and advisors nationwide and offers competitions in nearly 130 categories of occupational areas, according to its website.

Waszo is the first student from the career and technology center in New Stanton to win the state competition in this category. The career and technology center program prepares future teachers, while offering them the opportunity to earn 18 college credits.

Waszo and her peers in the Aspiring Educators Program at the career and technology center are pioneers, said Norwin High School Principal Michael Choby.

”They took on the challenge of a brand-new program and have given it their all this year. I am confident Avery is going to be an amazing elementary school teacher someday and will positively impact young people far into the future,” Choby said.

“Avery’s remarkable success at the Skills USA State competition is a powerful example of what it means to achieve excellence through hard work and dedication. This recognition celebrates Avery’s incredible talent, and we are very proud of her efforts and accomplishments,” said Norwin Superintendent Natalie McCracken.

Waszo plans to continue her coursework at Aspiring Educators next school year and then attend college to work toward her goal of becoming an elementary teacher or an early intervention specialist.

Her mother, Amy Filer, said that her daughter has long held a dream of becoming a teacher.

“She used to make up lesson plans, activities, games and rewards for her little brother. Finding the Aspiring Educators program at CWCTC is a dream come true for her. The teachers are so supportive and the opportunities it has provided- in the classroom, in competitions, at conferences … truly priceless,” Filer said.