Two Lockport Township High School students recently won silver medals at the 46th annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) in Kansas City, MO.

Richard Wolcott and Michael Cison, who are both 2010 graduates, earned the medals in 3D Visualization & Animation contest, where contestants must produce high quality images and an animated short subject using 3D computerized images.

The national contest allows students to step into a real world 3D production environment where creative output must be accomplished with specific resources, within specific timeframes, and design constraints. It is a two-person team event and includes a preliminary written exam and an evaluation on their technical knowledge, production skills and creative abilities – including visual development and storyboarding.

As well as receiving their medals, Wolcott and Cison received 3D design and animation software packages, gift cards and scholarships. Both plan to continue their education in the animation and game development fields.

“Two years ago when Richard and Mike took the 3D Design & Animation course at LTHS I knew they were good and they just kept coming back and learning more and getting better so I figured they would be successful. I am so proud of what they have accomplished! This is the first time LTHS has had students qualify for SkillsUSA Nationals and to have two of them place second in the nation is fantastic,” said Jeff Brown, 3D Design & Animation teacher at LTHS.

Four other LTHS students – Justin Vrba, Kyle Bak, Angelica Garcia and Leianne Maugeri, – competed in entrepreneurship at NLSC. Although they did not place at the national level, the students did win the state contest to qualify for the national competition.