WILKESBORO — Wilkes Community College (WCC) SkillsUSA students brought home two silver medals and 10 finished in the top 10 and seven in the top 20 in the nation from the 60th Annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC), held in Atlanta, June 24-28. WCC was represented by 19 student competitors and 13 advisors. The students qualified to participate in the national competition by winning first-place gold medals in April at the statewide competition held in Greensboro.
North Carolina was very well represented in the SkillsUSA National Championships, earning a total of 68 medallions. Students earned 20 gold, 37 silver, and 11 bronze medals.
25% of our delegation were medalists, placing in the top 3 in the nation. 67% placed in the top 10 in their contests.The Postsecondary delegation consisted of 42 medalists (37% of the Postsecondary delegation of 113) and 99 placed in the top 10 (88%).The High School delegation consisted of 10 medalists (8% of the High School delegation of 134) and 59 placed in the top 10 (44%).The Middle School delegation consisted of 16 medalists (52% of the Middle School delegation of 31) and 28 placed in the top 10 (90%).
Wilkes Community College and Career & College Promise (CCP) students competed and finished in the following areas:
Additive Manufacturing (College): Madison Coleman, Ethan Jacko – 9th-place teamAutomotive Refinishing Technology (Wilkes Early College): Leah Clarke – 9th place.Collision Damage Appraisal – (College): Lucas Delp -4th placeElectronics Technology (College): Aaron Shore – 2nd place (Silver Medalist)Power Equipment (College): Matthew Rivera– 13th placeTeam Works (College): Brennan Ardner, Eli Greene, Chance Mastin, Grayson Watson – 8th place teamTelecommunications Cabling (College): Parker Hamby – 2nd place (Silver Medalist)Web Design and Development (College): Ivey Sanders, Julie Summerlin – 5th place teamWelding Fabrication (CCP): East Wilkes High School, Weston Cook, Ty Ferguson, Zac Helms - 18th place teamWelding Fabrication (College): Colton Hall, Joshua Key, Chance Weatherman — 20th place team
“The 2024 SkillsUSA national competition was a life-changing event for everyone in attendance. It was great to see all the students competing in their contests. I would like to thank all of those who stepped outside of the box to compete in the National Conference,” said Jamie Reavis, WCC SkillsUSA advisor, and Transportation Technology chairperson. “They are recognized as the best of the very best students in the country – they are champions!” Reavis added, “This success doesn’t come easily; it requires vigorous hard work and dedication and a special thanks to all the advisors/instructors, student’s success could not be achieved without your leadership.”
Beyond the competitions, students enjoy networking and professional development opportunities that can help set the path for their post-college careers. Hundreds of the country’s leading employers attend the national conference to scout for new talent to join their companies.
With our college’s consistent presence and continued top ranking at the national conferences, Wilkes Community College is recognized as a national leader in post-secondary and secondary education.
Wilkes Community College thanks the following sponsors: WCC faculty and staff, Parkers Building Supply, Blue Ridge Tractor, McNeill Nissan, Flowers Auto Parts, HD Supply, Colors Edge of Wilkesboro and Statesville, Home Builders Association of Wilkes and Yadkin, John Deere with James River Equipment, Kris Dell Applied Software, L & A Emergency, Inc., Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse, North Wilkesboro Fire Department, ARC 3 Welding Supply, Millers Creek and Wilkesboro Volunteer Fire Departments, O'Reilly's Auto Parts, Payne Power Equipment, Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of NC, Inc., Snap-on Tools, Specialty Fabricators, The Welding Company, Triad Freightliner, Western Carolina Electric, Weyerhaeuser, and Yadkin Well Company, Inc.
Additional monetary donations were given by Carolina West Wireless, Duke Energy Foundation, Steven Foster, Kimberly Bell, Town of North Wilkesboro, Cynthia Smith, Talina Pipes, Michael Wingler, Stacie Taylor, Jamie Reavis, Jere Miles, Karen Kennedy, Matthew Ham, Devin Royal, Nina Miller, Jody Call, and Window World, Inc.
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 student excel. 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, including health occupations.
While the highlights of the club’s year are the state and national competitions, students work year-round to prepare for competition and to promote SkillsUSA. Most recently, WCC hosted the Region 7 SkillsUSA Conference and Career Showcase on February 26, 2024. This annual educational and professional development activity is open to all SkillsUSA members and advisors, high school Career and Technical Education students, business 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. The Wilkes Community College SkillsUSA Club was organized in 2005 and in 2006, Wilkes Community College was represented at the state and national competitions in its first year of competing with twelve students from various engineering technology disciplines. Each year, participation in the SkillsUSA Club 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 assistance helps to offset the cost of hosting events and traveling to competitions. For more information about supporting SkillsUSA, contact Jamie Reavis at 336-838-6192 or ljreavis691@wilkescc.edu.
Wilkes Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System, is a public, two-year, open-door institution serving the people of Wilkes, Ashe, and Alleghany counties and beyond. Established in 1965, WCC continues to build on a strong history of meeting the educational needs and cultural interests of our students, community, and workforce. WCC prepares learners for success in a dynamic world.
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