Future fashion designers, firefighters and business leaders were among the hundreds of students who gathered at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds in Turlock on Wednesday to compete in the 31st annual Occupational Olympics and Career Exposition.

Approximately 750 students from Stanislaus County high schools participated in 21 competitive events.  In addition to the competitive events, 50 business and industry representatives exhibited and spoke to students during the Career Expo.

At the end of the day, the Large School Overall Award was presented to Oakdale High School and the Small School Award went to Hughson High School.

Nineteen local students placed in the top three in their respective categories. Pitman High had two first place winners — Pardeep Singh in Accounting I and Gema Reyes in Floriculture.

Turlock High swept two of the three Pitsco Drag Racing categories, Heavy Weight and Design, taking the top three places in each. Alfredo Navarro took first place in Heavy Weight Class and Alex Valdonvinos won first in Design for Turlock.

Jacklyn Gonzales of Denair High also took first place for Hairstyling.