Three SkillsUSA Competitors Bound for State Competition
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – Three Keystone Central Career and Technology students, Leah Karstetter, Alaina Carnahan, and Maitland Dilley, who are enrolled in the CTC Health Assisting program, are working hard to bring awareness to hygiene and the prevention of germs among local children.
These students are enrolled in a nationwide club, SkillsUSA, and are competing in the community service competition. SkillsUSA is a career and technical student organization in the U.S. that allows students to compete in various categories with the possibility of winning scholarship money. These three aspiring healthcare workers are looking to build their careers starting in high school.
They have designed a project called the “Pediatric Hygiene Clinic,” where they will visit various grade levels and classes of young community members within KCSD, as well as different daycare centers, to teach them proper hygiene.
These three students believe that being a part of the CTC club and the organization SkillsUSA has truly inspired them to make a difference in what they are passionate about. They state that the organization has provided them with the resources to help them become more successful in their high school careers and has allowed them the opportunity to compete against other students. They believe that being able to give back to their community is very important and can be inspiring on many levels. Leah, Maitland, and Alaina stated, “We thank SkillsUSA for giving us the opportunity to make a difference and give back to our young community members, valuing their hygiene and health, hoping to truly make a difference in their lives now and moving forward into the future.”
On March 4, the students traveled to Mill Hall Elementary School, where they spent the entire day teaching kindergarten, first, and second-grade students about various aspects of proper hygiene and cleanliness. “We believe that all the students had a wonderful time interacting with the project, and we enjoyed answering their questions. It was a great experience to know that these students had a full understanding of the importance of proper hygiene after being engaged in our project,” the group expressed.
They will go on to teach at In God’s Hands Daycare Center and Little Wildcat’s Play-Day Program, allowing their project’s educational reach to expand to more young community members.
These aspiring healthcare workers put a lot of time and effort into creating a presentation for the children in their community. Their presentation consisted of various demonstrations, including proper handwashing, showering, washing hair, sneezing, coughing, and blowing one’s nose. Each demonstration was represented by a well-illustrated poster and an interactive activity. They spent long hours working meticulously on these posters to ensure that younger students could clearly understand why proper hygiene is important for their health.
Additionally, they created small goodie bags, which included a toothbrush, toothpaste, tissues, a bar of soap, and some fun stickers. These were made possible through donations and were given to each child to encourage personal hygiene and provide supplies for those who may not have them.
When brainstorming ways to help children with hygiene, they say their passion centers around empowering young community members with the knowledge and habits to take care of themselves in a fun and engaging way. “We believe that teaching hygiene is not just about cleanliness, but also about boosting confidence, health, and well-being,” said Alaina Carnahan.
By creating interactive lessons and activities—such as using glow-in-the-dark gel to highlight missed areas when washing hands—they made learning about hygiene exciting and relatable. Maitland Dilley expressed, “Our goal is to inspire kids to embrace habits like washing hands, brushing teeth, and maintaining personal cleanliness, all while helping them understand the importance of these actions for their health and happiness.”
It is important that children understand how proper hygiene benefits them, even if they have not been taught correctly or at all. They asserted, “Personal hygiene is a common issue seen in young children in our community and even in our local schools, stemming from a lack of knowledge or overlooked hygiene issues.”
They added that teaching young children proper hygiene is important for preventing the spread of bacteria, germs, and viruses, which can reduce illnesses such as colds, stomach bugs, and other infections. Personal hygiene also contributes to emotional well-being, as taking care of one’s body can boost self-confidence and mental health. For instance, as they taught in their presentation, taking a shower can improve mood and reduce stress, emphasizing the importance of self-care.
Children are more likely to continue practicing good hygiene as they grow and develop these habits at a young age, equipping them with the knowledge they need to continue leading healthier lives. Early education sets the foundation for lifelong health and well-being. When children understand the importance of personal hygiene, they gain a sense of responsibility and independence, which are essential life skills. They can feel proud of themselves when they learn how to properly take care of their bodies and understand the impact of cleanliness.
By instilling hygiene habits early on, children can maintain healthier lifestyles and avoid many preventable health issues as they grow.
The students also acknowledged the support of their community, which played a significant role in their project’s success. Leah remarked,
“Without the support and involvement of our community, this project would not have been possible. The collective effort of our teachers, local organizations, and volunteers played a crucial role in bringing our vision to life. Their dedication, resources, and enthusiasm helped us reach more children and ensure that the message about hygiene was effectively shared. The community’s commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of kids allowed us to build a strong foundation for the project’s success, and we are incredibly grateful for their support every step of the way.”
Moving forward, they state that they hope their project truly inspires others in the community to value proper hygiene and cleanliness, especially in the pediatric community, as it is an essential need to keep children healthy.
Their Health Assisting instructor and SkillsUSA advisor shared, “I couldn’t be more proud of these three sophomore students. They have such a bright future ahead and are students who truly put others before themselves. It is so rewarding to watch them grow into young healthcare professionals who care so deeply about educating our community, especially our young generation.”
