GTCC Students Shine at SkillsUSA State Conference



Published on: May 9, 2018
Fifteen GTCC students earned first place during the SkillsUSA North Carolina State Conference held April 18-20 in Greensboro.

JAMESTOWN, N.C.  — Guilford Technical Community College students excelled at the SkillsUSA North Carolina State Conference held April 18-20 in Greensboro. Fifteen students placed first in the competition with several advancing to compete in the 54th annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference June 25-30 in Louisville, Kentucky.

The statewide competition was held at the Greensboro Coliseum, Joseph S. Koury Convention Center, and GTCC’s Jamestown and Greensboro campuses. GTCC had 87 students competing across 26 skilled trade areas including automotive refinishing technology, aviation, CNC milling, culinary arts, cosmetology, computer programming and emergency management.

Fourteen of the first-place contestants, along with nail care model Savannah Spivey, will compete at the national competition next month. It is a significant achievement where each winner has claimed their spot in the top 3% of all students in their trade area.

SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations. Through its local, state and national competitions, students demonstrate occupational and leadership skills.

Of the 87 GTCC students who competed, 45 placed in the top five in their respective contests:

First place

  • Rodney Fleming, Aviation Maintenance Technology
  • Brian Wilson, CNC Milling Specialist
  • Tyler Jones, Automotive Refinishing Technology
  • Asia Mininal, Men’s Haircutting
  • Jessica Webster, Nail Care
  • Beatrice Quezada, Nail Care Model
  • Naima Durrett, Culinary Arts
  • Najah Hines, Restaurant Service
  • Jerricka Braswell, Health Occupation Portfolio
  • Chad Keesee, Motorcycle Service Technology
  • Daniel Anderson, First Aid/CPR
  • Katie Forrest, EMT
  • John Bass, HVACR
  • Troy Sanford, Computer Program
  • Chandler Beamon, Web Design
  • Brittny Philemon, Web Design

Second Place

  • Joshua Pugh, CNC Milling Specialist
  • Japeth Murphy, CNC Technician
  • April Lawrence, Cosmetology
  • LaShaundra Resper, Commercial Baking
  • Jesse Meadows, First Aid/CPR
  • Terisha Yellock, EMT
  • Benhamin Bourgeois, Web Design
  • Clyde Foust, Web Design

Third Place

  • Eric Henry, Auto Service Technology
  • Phon Nguyen, Fantasy Hair and Makeup
  • Nina Boutsady, Fantasy Hair and Makeup Model
  • Arielle Jones, EMT
  • Vincent Nguyen, HVACR
  • Perry Plaine, Computer Program

Fourth Place

  • Melissa Shorey, Advertising Design
  • Rachel Cardwell, Carpentry
  • Lucas Bowman, CNC Technician
  • John Smith III, HVACR
  • Lewis Drane, Welding Fabrication Team 1
  • Austen Germain, Welding Fabrication Team 1
  • Nickolaus Martin, Welding Fabrication Team 1
  • JoshuaSchnepf, Computer Programming
  • Christy Johnson, Web Design
  • Kathryn Webb, Web Design

Fifth Place

  • Lynn Abram, Carpentry
  • Ryan Marsh, Collision Repair Technician
  • Nicholas Stemen, Electronics
  • Caroline Morgan, Job Skill Demo A
  • Richard Battles, Welding Sculpture

Guilford Technical Community College is the fourth largest of 58 institutions in the North Carolina Community College System. GTCC serves more than 35,000 students annually from five campuses and a Small Business Center. Learn more at www.gtcc.edu.

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