Skills USA Winners

Students at the Tennessee Technology Center at McKenzie brought home six gold, three silver and one bronze medal in the State Skills USA competitions. The Center competed in the post-secondary division of the 47th Annual Conference in Chattanooga and received gold medals in Electronics, Community Service and Sustainable Solutions. The school also placed second in Telecommunications Cabling, Sheet Metal and CNC Turning. They also finished third in HVAC. The competition tested students in practical skills, as well as, oral and written exams. All the winners will advance to the national competition in June in Kansas City, MO. The Team of Chrishanda Ridley and Randall Adkisson both of McKenzie and Jason Wylie of Kenton placed first in the Community Service Contest. Jimmy Tosh of Union City and Mark Baucom of Kenton placed first in the Sustainable Solutions event. Joseph Redmond of Bradford took home the top spot in Electronics. The Machine Tool Program brought home a silver medal with Cory Thompson of Rives winning in the CNC Turning competition. The HVAC program was well represented with Joey Pickard of Milan placing second in Sheet Metal, and James Higdon of Milan taking home the bronze medal in HVAC. Neil Mondesir of Camden won the silver medal in Telecommunications Cabling. Instructors who will accompany the students to nationals in Kansas City are Jimmy Kee and Bruce Moore. “We are very excited to be taking the largest group of students in our school history and plan on bringing home more GOLD,” Moore said. Skills USA is a national organization serving teachers along with high school and college students who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health occupations. Skills USA programs include local, state and national competitions in which students demonstrate occupational and leadership skills. At the annual national-level Skills USA Championships, over 5,000 students compete in 87 occupational and leadership skill areas.