Several Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute students recently competed in the statewide SkillsUSA North Carolina Championship competitions held in Greensboro, NC, bringing home several awards in a variety of categories.
The annual SkillsUSA state conference is the largest showcase of Career and Technical Education in the state with over 3,000 students competing in more than 140 skilled, technical and leadership development events designed to test their skills, knowledge and precision in various areas of skilled trades. These contests span more than 95 trade areas from construction, automotive, and welding to drafting, public safety, culinary, cosmetology and more.
Johnathan Snyder, a dual enrolled homeschooled high school student brought home first place in the regional Secondary Welding category held at Wilkes Community College early in the year. Under the tutelage of CCC&TI Welding Instructor Gary Hudson, Snyder advanced to the statewide competition, again, earning first place and a chance to compete at the National SkillsUSA competition held in June. Snyder competed against the best high school welders from across the country, placing in the top 30. This is Welding Program Director Gary Hudson’s second statewide winner in the SkillsUSA Secondary Welding Competition to advance to the national competition.
In addition, the following CCC&TI college and dual enrolled high school students also earned honors in their respective competitions:
- CNC 3-Axis Milling: Benjamin Wimberly – 5th Place
- CNC Programming: Ebban Cook – 4th Place
- CNC Programming: Atlas Pritchard – 1st Place
- CNC 2-Axis Milling: Nathan Smith – 5th Place
- CNC 2-Axis Milling: Zachery Seagle – 4th Place
- Mobile Robots: Jason Moon – Winner
- Mobile Robots: Saen Smith – Winner
At this year’s closing awards banquet, CCC&TI was recognized for increasing student participation and engagement through the SkillsUSA North Carolina Total Participation Plan (NCTPP) for the third consecutive year. This SkillsUSA membership model allows college and postsecondary institutions to enroll all eligible Career and Technical Education (CTE) students as SkillsUSA members under a single plan, providing access to curriculum, financial assistance for dues, and professional resources.
Congratulations to each of these students and their instructors and advisors on earning these awards and representing CCC&TI, Caldwell County Schools, and our community on the state and national levels with their skills, knowledge and expertise.
For more information on skilled trade programs at CCC&TI, visit www.cccti.edu.
Pictured is Jonathan Snyder, dual enrolled CCC&TI welding student and homeschool senior from Caldwell County. Snyder placed first in the regional SkillsUSA welding competition. Snyder advanced to the statewide competition in Greensboro this spring, where he also earned first place in the state and the opportunity to compete at the national level with winners from the across the country. Snyder placed in the top 30 in the national competition held in June.
Also pictured are local students who recently represented CCC&TI and Caldwell County Schools at the SkillsUSA Competition in Greensboro. Several students earned awards and recognition in the statewide annual competition. From left to right are advisor and instructor Jacob Cavenaugh, students Benjamin Wimberly, Ebban Cook, Atlas Pritchard, Nathan Smith and Zachery Seagle. Not pictured are advisor and Program Director Susan Deal and students Jason Moon and Saen Smith.