DeCarlo, Palluti and Bailey earn podium placement at BOCES’ SkillsUSA competition

DCS juniors Josivi DeCarlo, Drew Palluti and Brianna Bailey showcased the skills they have developed in their respective fields of study through the Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical Education (CTE) program at this week’s regional SkillsUSA competition in Albany.

The 2026 Area III SkillsUSA Competition featured more than 400 students from dozens of schools testing their skills in 32 events ranging from baking to nursing, diesel engine repair and heavy equipment operation. Students competed against their peers from Questar III and several other BOCES during a day filled with events at the Career & Technical Education Center – Albany Campus, as well as Schenectady County Community College (SCCC) and the International Union of Operating Engineers training facility in Albany.

DeCarlo, Palluti and Bailey each earned spots on the podium:

1st place: JOSIVI DECARLO took top honors in the Criminal Justice competition.

2nd place: DREW PALLUTI is in the Culinary Arts program at CTE and placed second in the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Technology competition.

3rd place: BRIANNA BAILEY, who studies Early Childhood Education won third place in the Promotional Bulletin Board competition, on a combined team with Payton Schuyler (CRCS) and Rosemary Harrington (Schalmont).

All first place winners and some other medal winners earned their way to the state SkillsUSA competition in Syracuse April 22-24 at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. Winners of that event will advance to the national competition in June.