SkillsUSA Council presented the 2025 Elmer Gates Enterprise Awards on Thursday, May 22.

SCHNECKSVILLE, Pa. — SkillsUSA Council celebrated the Class of 2025 Elmer Gates Enterprise Award winners Thursday (May 22, 2025) with a breakfast ceremony at Lehigh Carbon Community College.

The honorees were selected in recognition of their SkillsUSA involvement, scholastic achievement, positive work ethic, community service and entrepreneurial spirit. Lehigh Career & Technical Institute’s honorees are:

• Skye Dunstan, a Whitehall High School senior in the Health & Medical Sciences program at LCTI. She’s on co-op with St. Luke’s University Health Network and plans to attend Lehigh Carbon Community College.

• Jonathan Erkinger, a Northern Lehigh High School senior in the Small Engines/Recreational Vehicle Repair program at LCTI. He’s on co-op with Kermit K. Kistler Inc. and plans to attend Lehigh Carbon Community College.

• Anthony Farennte, a William Allen High School senior in the Carpentry program at LCTI. He’s on co-op with JRH Remodeling Inc.

• Katelyn Fike, a Whitehall High School senior in the Emerging Digital Media program at LCTI. She plans to attend Lehigh Carbon Community College.

• James Leap, an Emmaus High School senior in the Criminal Justice program at LCTI. He plans to attend Lehigh Carbon Community College.

• Malach Martin, a homeschooled senior in the Pre-Engineering & Engineering Technology program at LCTI. He plans to attend Penn State University.

• Erick Montesdeoca, a William Allen High School senior in the Auto Technology program at LCTI. He is on co-op with Scott Cars Inc.

• Zachary O’Steen, an Emmaus High School senior in the Criminal Justice program at LCTI. He is on co-op with King, Spry, Herman Freund & Faul LLC.

• Chase Orth, a homeschooled senior in the Heavy Equipment Operations & Preventive Maintenance program at LCTI. He is on co-op with Woods Landscaping & Dirt Works.

• Asher Pijut, a Parkland High School senior in the Cabinetmaking & Millwork program at LCTI. He plans to study traditional woodworking methods in Norway after graduation.

• Scerena Reed, a Parkland High School senior in the Health & Medical Sciences program at LCTI. She plans to attend DeSales University.

• Clay Soares, a Parkland High School senior in the Culinary Arts program at LCTI. They’re on co-op at Saucon Valley Country Club and plan to attend Johnson & Wales University.

• Gage Tessitore, a Northern Lehigh High School senior in the Electronics Technology program at LCTI. They’re on co-op at R&D Altanova/Advantest.

• Cody Utt, a Northwestern Lehigh High School senior in the Precision Machine Tool Technology program at LCTI. He launched his own machining business and plans to continue growing it after high school.

• Rachael Wade, a Northwestern Lehigh High School senior in the Health & Medical Sciences program at LCTI. She’s on co-op with St. Luke’s University Health Network and plans to attend West Chester University.

• Levell Warmkesel, a Parkland High School senior in the Plumbing & Heating program at LCTI. He is on co-op with Allentown Construction and Production Management.

Elmer Gages, an engineer and executive, was the co-founder of Embassy Bank for the Lehigh Valley and CEO of Fuller Company, now F.L. Smidth. His daughter, Patti Gates-Smith, delivered remarks at the ceremony and presented the awards.

Congratulations to our Elmer Gates Enterprise Award winners! This is how we achieve ! #weachieve