Top SkillsUSA award earned by Sheriff’s Office Dispatcher/Jailer Brittany Beahm

Mid-State Technical College announced awards given at the 2022 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference.  Receiving a Gold Medal in Criminal Justice was Montello’s Brittany Beahm, Dispatch/Jailer with the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office.  

SkillsUSA is non-profit national education organization that works to ensure that America has skilled workers.  Since 1965, SkillsUSA which is recognized by the US Department of Education and the US Department of Labor has promoted and worked to improve the quality of workplace technical skills grounded in academics.  

In June, Brittany travelled to Atlanta, Georgia, to compete in the national conference where she took part in demonstrating her skills in six scenarios in criminal justice.  A total of 5300 students from around the US were in the competitions.   Five Mid-State students took part.  Brittany earned a gold medal in criminal justice while the other students took home a bronze and earned 7th, 9th and 11th place in their fields.  These students’ fields were related technical math, CNC technician, milling technician and welding sculpture. 

Brittany had to qualify to compete in the National competitions by achieving first place finishes in the state competitions.  Mike Berry, Mid-State SkillsUSA advisor said, “These are very tough competitions with our students going up against the best the country has to offer.” 

Brittany brought home the only gold medal for Wisconsin.  They silver medal recipient in criminal justice is from South Dakota and the bronze medal recipient is from Alabama. 

Brittany has been with the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office for three and half years.  She lives in Montello and previously worked in Waupun and at Red Granite prisons.  She said she likes working with the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office because of the opportunities given to employees to further their training and education. Her supervisor, Captain Michael Kowalski said, “Brittany is a great example of how hard work and dedication to her craft pays off.”

Recently, she developed the department policy on the new body scanner used by the jail and conducted training for all staff on the scanner.  It’s one of the improvements made in the county jail in order to provide safer conditions for staff and to be able to house out of county prisoners which brings in revenue for the department.  Right now, there are 45 prisoners in the county jail with a capacity for 60.  

Sheriff Joseph Konrath said, “I’m really proud of Brittany’s work ethic and professionalism.  She brings many skills to the job.”

Brittany’s supervisor Captain Michael Kowalski said, “Brittany is a great example of how hard work and dedication to her craft pays off.”

The award winner’s future aspiration is to work in patrol in Marquette County. Right now, she’s making Marquette County proud with a gold medal at the 2022 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference.

Brittany Beahm from Montello earned a gold medal in Criminal Justice at the 2022 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference.   Here she is holding her gold medals for the national competition and for the state competition.  With her are Captain Michael Kowalski, Sheriff Joe Konrath and Lieutenant Aaron Williams. (Photo by Kathleen McGwin)