Malverne Teen Finishes Second in SkillsUSA Competition

In early March, Malverne resident Chris Aresta, a junior at Valley Stream North High School, finished in second place in the Regional SkillsUSA Leadership competition held at Farmingdale State College.

Aresta, a first-year student in police science and criminal justice at Joseph M. Barry Career and Technical Education Center, competed in the Extemporaneous Speaking contest. He was required to give a three- to five-minute speech on an assigned topic with five minutes of advanced preparation.

Contestants enter the preparation area one at a time where they are given a speech topic. They are judged on voice, mechanics, platform deportment, organization and effectiveness.

Aresta will now participate in the SkillsUSA State competition where he will compete in Job Skill Demonstration contest. Contestants demonstrate and explain an entry-level skill used in the occupational area for which they are training.

SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations.