NCC Students Place Top in State at SkillsUSA Competition

Nash Community College Computer-Integrated Machining, Welding and Cosmetology students earned high placements in the SkillsUSA State Competition held the week of April 18, 2016. SkillsUSA is a national partnership of over 300,000 students and teachers involved with industry; working together to provide a skilled workforce in America. More than 1,700 career and technical education students participated in this year’s SkillsUSA Competition, held in Greensboro. Competitions covered numerous trade areas, including construction, automotive, welding, drafting, public safety and cosmetology.

First Place in Welding

Mitchell Harrell, NCC Welding Student

NCC Welding student Mitchell Harrell placed first overall in the North Carolina Skills USA Welding competition, and NCC was awarded first place for Welding in the competition.

First Place in Cosmetology

NCC’s Cosmetology students participated in the competition for their first time. NCC Student Nikki Price ranked first in Cosmetology for the state. NCC Cosmetology student Desirae Williams came in third place in Fantasy Hair and Makeup.

Pictured from left, NCC Lead Cosmetology Instructor Ernestine Stephenson, NCC Cosmetology Students Desirae Williams, Shakera Lawrence (Model for Fantasy Hair and Makeup) and Nikki Price and NCC Lead High School and Sr. Practical Instructor Shinese Glass.

First, Fourth & Fifth Rank in Computer Numerical Control Categories

Competing for the NCC Computer-Integrated Machining program, student Bennett Satterwhite, placed first in the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Milling category. The CNC milling competition assesses an individual’s ability to write a CNC program capable of producing parts on a milling machine. In the CNC Technician category, Michaela Lamm took fourth place proving her abilities in writing a CNC program for both 2.5 axis milling and 2 axis turning in a shorter period of time than other CNC categories. NCC student Jacob Sandy placed fifth for CNC Turning. Nathan Griffiths and Justen Paul, NCC students, also competed.

Pictured from left: Jacob Sandy, Bennett Satterwhite and Michaela Lamm

“I am extremely proud of these students. They demonstrated they were well prepared to enter and place high in the competition. I believe this shows their enthusiasm and preparedness for successful careers,” said George Shook, Nash Community College Computer-Integrated Machining Instructor. Students Mitchell Harrell, Nikki Price and Bennett Satterwhite will represent Nash Community College as they compete in the SkillsUSA National Championship in Louisville, KY later this year.

SkillsUSA is a vital solution to the growing U.S. skills gap. This nonprofit partnership of students, instructors and industry ensures America has the skilled workforce it needs to stay competitive. Founded in 1965 and endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education, the association serves more than 300,000 member students and instructors each year in middle schools, high schools and colleges. This diverse talent pipeline covers 130 trade, technical and skilled service occupations, the majority STEM-related.