Mid-Coast School of Technology submitted the following:
 
Back in March, over 40 students at the Mid-Coast School of Technology were slated to compete at the State SkillsUSA Competition at the United Technology Center in Bangor. Unfortunately, like so many events during that time the state competition was cancelled. While schools like MCST have continued with remote classes, there was simply no way to execute practical competitions like welding, carpentry and auto technology using these remote means.

Yet, in late February, mere days before schools switched over to remote learning due to COVID-19, Richard Barratt, Machine Tool instructor, took two students to Southern Maine Community College in South Portland to compete in CNC, Precision Machining Lathe and Mill ahead of the state competition in March. These competitions have always been run early as the venues in Bangor simply do not have the amount of equipment needed to host a competition of that size.

Marley Patten, of Camden Hills Regional High School, competed in Precision Machine: Lathe and Mill, Elliott Johnson, of Medomak Valley High School, competed in CNC Mill Programming. Marley and Elliott competed with 15 other students at this state event, comprised of students from other Career and Technical Education schools. As a result, Marley and Elliott were not only in a select group of students who did get a chance to compete before school closure, but even better, they brought back medals – albeit after a significant delay.