Ed-Tech public safety students seek donations to compete in Atlanta

North Branch High School junior Brianna Harmon is set to compete in the area of Criminal Justice at the SkillsUSA national competition. She has a dream of becoming an FBI agent. Photos provided

ATTICA TWP. — Students in the Public Safety Careers program at the Lapeer County Education and Technology Center (Ed-Tech) have been working hard learning how to best serve their communities, and now they’re asking for community help to achieve their goals.

Two students in the program have earned a chance to compete in Criminal Justice and Medical First Responder national SkillsUSA competitions. Brianna Harmon, a junior at North Branch High School, is set to put her Criminal Justice skills to the test, while classmate Victoria Hatfield, a Lapeer High School senior, will compete in First Responder/CPR.

The national SkillsUSA competition will be held in Atlanta, Georgia on June 20-24. Program teacher Matthew Rule said both students are on a “quest” to earn gold medals in Atlanta, but are reaching out to the community to raise money to cover travel expenses. As of Friday, the Public Safety Program has raised $1,130 of the $3,000 goal. “(Community) support will help get two very hardworking, deserving students to compete at the national level,” said Rule. “These students will represent the Lapeer community and the state of Michigan.”

Victoria Hatfield, a senior at Lapeer High School, hopes to put her Medical First Responder skills to the test next month in Atlanta and is helping the Ed-Tech Public Safety Careers program to fundraise for the trip.

It’s been a long road for Harmon and Hatfield to earn a spot at the national competition. First, the pair along with their program peers at Ed-Tech competed at the local level, then headed to regionals held at Delta College. Next up was a competition at the state level, held at Grand Rapids. “Both students have amazing stories and have overcome a lot to get to this level,” said Rule.

The program has held a number of small fundraisers, such as popcorn sales, but is hoping an online fundraiser will prompt community members to contribute to sending the pair of students to Atlanta next month. To donate, visit www.snapraise.com/v2/fundraisers/lapeer-high-school-skillsusa 2022. For more information, call 810-664-1124, ext. 4147.

The Ed-Tech Public Safety Careers program is for students interested in law enforcement, firefighting, corrections, EMS or 9-1-1 dispatch. Through the program, students can be certified in CPR/First Aid, Medical First Responder, Emergency Services Dispatcher, and Workplace Safety certification. Students explore careers in the public safety area through hands-on training, field trips, in-class exercises, and job shadowing with local area agencies.