Photo: Etowah County Career Technical Center students pose for a photo in the Etowah County Schools building downtown after competing in the state SkillsUSA competition April 24-26. (Courtesy of Etowah County Schools)
Etowah County Career Technical Center saw 17 of its students medal at the State SkillsUSA Competition in Mobile on April 24-26. Seven students who earned first-place spots will go on to compete in the National SkillsUSA conference in Atlanta on June 19-24.
“We are so proud of our 23 students that attended the SkillsUSA State Conference,” said ECCTC Director Mark Stancil. “These students represented career tech proudly, bringing home 17 medals and a state officer position.”
Fatima Mendoza, first-place winner in the CPR/First Aid category, was selected as a state officer.
Winning gold were Landon Robinson in GSCC Electrical Construction, Lucas (Jody) Wilson in Industrial Motor Controls, Zander Trabert and Landon Shelnutt in Cybersecurity, Trinity Harris in Medical Terminology, Taylor Nation in Basic Healthcare Skills and Fatima Mendoza in CPR/First Aid.
Winning silver were Kameron Kuykendoll, Slade LeCroy and Matthew Usry in Automated Manufactuing; Rileigh Walker in Basic Healthcare Skills and Kaden Cook, Edwin Mendoza, Justin Ayala, Braxton Moore and Grace Ann Dean in Quiz bowl.
Winning bronze was Meaghan Brock in Medical Terminology.
“Several of our students attended state competition for the first time, and this has resulted in confidence and lifelong friendships,” Stancil said. “Some of our students have never traveled beyond their home state, and we would greatly appreciate any support to help us make this a reality.”
Stancil called on community members to help fund the trip to Atlanta.
“The expenses for students to travel and compete will result in a cost of $7,500,” he said. “We have raised funds throughout the school year; however, these funds were exhausted with the SkillsUSA state competition. We are reaching out to ask for support so these amazing and hardworking students can participate in this life-altering experience.
“The students representing Etowah County Career Tech Center have worked unremitting throughout the school year in preparation to not only compete but to achieve those titles of gold winner. Students will benefit from this opportunity through state representation and lifelong contacts that will include future college scholarships but also future career opportunities.”
For those interested in supporting these students, contact Stancil at mark_stancil@ecboe.org.
The career technical center has a total of 10 programs, three of which will be represented at nationals. ECCTC will be sending gold medalists to the national competition from its Health Science, Computer Science and Electrical Technology and Industrial Maintenance programs.
“I was highly impressed by the performance of both Zander (Trabert) and Landon (Shelnutt),” said ECCTC Computer Science Instructor Kevin Fathi. “I have only had them as students for a year, but they knocked it out of the park. I look forward to helping them compete at the national level.”
Trabert and Shelnutt are both freshmen at Southside High School.
Photos courtesy of Etowah County Career Technical Center.
