Students from Manatee District Schools excelled at the 2016 Region 6 Florida SkillsUSA Competitions. Manatee Technical College students won 53 gold, 27 silver, and 20 bronze medals.

In the college division of automotive service technology, MTC students Dustin Brown won gold and Joshua Hobbs won silver.

MTC victories included Matika Liptrot, who was first in commercial baking; Brittney Beers, first in cosmetology; and Daniel Hahn, who won in marine service technology. Joshua Wood, Ryan Admundsen, and Anthony Benafield won medals in automotive refinishing technology. Cesar Lugo took bronze in culinary arts.

In the high school division, MTC students Lizbeth Pina, Maria Diaz-Lopez, and Jennifer Ovalte swept first, second and third places in nail care. Daisy Caballero won in medical terminology. Isaiah Larkin took bronze in automotive service technology.

Bayshore High School students Junito Berry and Rachael Cook won in robotics: Urban search and rescue. Southeast High swept gold, silver and bronze in the high school divisions in television (video) production and broadcast news production.

More than 430 students from nine schools in five counties competed Feb. 25 at the Manatee Technical College campus in Lakewood Ranch. Two Manatee District high schools competed in secondary events: Bayshore and Southeast.

The first- and second-place winners in all categories will advance to the state competitions April 24-27 in Lakeland.

— Submitted by Maura Howl