Morrisville-Eaton senior Toby Szewczyk, a student in the Recreational and Outdoor Power Equipment program taught by Dave Orr at the Madison-Oneida BOCES, took first place in the power equipment technology competition at NYS SkillsUSA April 28. That accomplishment would entitle him to receive a $1,000 scholarship to Ohio Tech College or Power Source Institute should he choose to attend either after graduation.
He will now head to nationals in Louisville, Ken., June 20 through 24.
Toby has been on the honor roll at both Morrisville-Eaton and at the Madison-Oneida BOCES. In addition to his school work, Toby previously worked at Suzie Q’s in Morrisville and is now employed on his family farm, Green Acres Farms, LLC.
He has started a small engine business and does a lawn mowing and yard work.
Toby is also a volunteer fireman with the Morrisville Fire Department, responding to more than 80 calls in the last year-and-a-half, which is the fifth most in the department. In October 2015, Toby was acknowledged for his role in a search and retrieval of a person during a fire at the Wilcox Apartments.
One of Toby’s teachers describes him as follows: “He is an outstanding young man not only academically, but in his character as well. Toby is the type of kid that would drop everything and go above and beyond to help in a time of need.”
“To me, Toby is a stellar young man all students could look to as a model of excellence and the utmost of personal character,” Orr said.
The Morrisville-Eaton Learning Community extends its congratulations to Toby on this accomplishment and wishes him well at the national competition.