Wilkes Community Higher (WCC) SkillsUSA students brought dwelling house one gilt medal and seven finished in the top nine in the nation from the 56th Annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Briefing (NLSC), held nearly in Atlanta, Georgia June xiv-24, 2021. WCC was represented past ix student competitors and seven advisors. The students qualified to participate in the national competition by winning starting time place gold medals in Apr at the statewide competition held about in Greensboro, Northward.C.

More than than 25,000 students, teachers, teaching leaders, and representatives from 600 national corporations, trade associations, businesses, and labor unions participated during the event. The highlight effect of the conference was the annual SkillsUSA Championships held on June 14-18, which included 106 hands-on skill and leadership competitions held virtually at each qualifying higher or loftier school location beyond the USA and broadcast via the web dorsum to the conference site.

Among the more than 8,000 student competitors, four of the ix WCC students showcasing their cognition and skills placed in the top five positions, seven in the top ten, and all students placing in the top xix in the country.

Wilkes Community College and Career & College Promise (CCP) students competed and finished in the following areas:

  • Architectural Drafting
    • Brian Tyler – 5th place
  • Automotive Refinishing Technology
    • Michael Phillips– 9th place
  • Standoff Repair Engineering science
    • Filly Cline – 8th place
  • Diesel Equipment Technology (CCP) Wilkes Early College High School
    • Raul Limon -19th place
  • Diesel Equipment Technology (College)
    • Clint Jones – 13th place
  • Internetworking
    • Jonathan Latos– fifth identify
  • Pin Design
    • Bailey Hutchens– 1st identify Gold
  • Power Equipment (CCP) Due west Wilkes High School
    • Matthew Blankenship– 7th place
  • Power Equipment (Higher)
    • Tyler Reavis– fifth place

"Existence held completely virtual, the 2021 SkillsUSA national competition was a life-changing issue for everyone. I would like to give thanks all of those who stepped outside of the box to compete in the virtual environment due to Covid 19," said Hardin Kennedy, WCC SkillsUSA counselor and Transportation Applied science chairperson. "They are recognized as the best of the very best students in the state – they are champions!" Kennedy added, "This success doesn't come easily; it requires vigorous hard piece of work and dedication."

Beyond the competitions, students enjoy networking and professional development opportunities that can help set the path for their mail-higher careers. Hundreds of the country'due south leading employers attend the national conference to watch for new talent to join their companies.

With our college'southward consistent presence and continued elevation ranking at the national conferences, Wilkes Community College is recognized equally a national leader in postal service-secondary and secondary instruction.

"I just desire to have a moment to thank everyone for their support of our SkillsUSA competitors this yr. It has been a challenge with the contests beingness held virtually; however, with outstanding help from our It section and the high level of commitment of our advisors, we have fabricated it through another great conference," said Jamie Reavis Co-Advisor of WCC SkillsUSA.

The college would like to thank the following sponsors: WCC faculty and staff, Adams Old Castle – Williams Roberts, Appalachian Cabinets, ARC 3 Welding Supply, Blevins Building Supply, Blue Ridge Tractor, Flowers Auto Parts, HD Supply, High Country Pigment, Domicile Builders Association of Wilkes and Yadkin, Impact Collision, John Deere with James River Equipment, Kris Dell Applied Software, Lowe's Domicile Comeback Warehouse, McNeill Nissan, Mike's Torso Shop, Millers Creek Volunteer Fire Department, North Carolina Association of Electrical Contractors, O'Reilly'southward Automobile Parts, Pardue'southward Welding, Payne Power Equipment, Pino Hall Brick, Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of NC, Inc., Snap-on Tools, Specialty Fabricators, Statesville Brick, The Welding Visitor, Triad Freightliner, Western Carolina Electric, Weyerhaeuser, Yadkin Well Company, Inc., and Window World, Inc.

Contributions to the WCC Almanac Fund-SkillsUSA may be sent to WCC Foundation/Annual Fund, P.O. Box 120, Wilkesboro, NC, 28697.

About WCC Skills USA Club

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. It helps each educatee excel. SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and loftier school and higher students who are preparing for careers in merchandise, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations.

While the highlights of the club'southward yr are the state and national competitions, students work twelvemonth-round to set up for competition and to promote SkillsUSA. Most recently, WCC hosted the Region vii SkillsUSA Conference and Career Showcase on February 26, 2020. This almanac educational and professional development activity is open to all SkillsUSA members and advisors, loftier schoolhouse Career and Technical Pedagogy students, business organisation and industry partners, and educational partners. The event included SkillsUSA competitions and the opportunity for high school students to explore the many career training opportunities available to them at WCC.

In 2005, Transportation Engineering science chairperson Hardin Kennedy organized and adult the Wilkes Customs College SkillsUSA Club. In 2006, Wilkes Community College was represented at the state and national competition in its offset year of competing with 12 students from various engineering applied science disciplines. Each year, participation in the SkillsUSA Guild grows as students and faculty learn the benefits of being involved.

This active club operates with significant support from local individuals, businesses, and organizations. The help helps to first the price of hosting events and traveling to competitions. For more information well-nigh supporting SkillsUSA, contact Hardin Kennedy at 336-838-6219 or hardin.kennedy@  wilkescc.edu.

Bailey Hutchens- First Place Gold – Pin Design

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