Local students succeed at SkillsUSA

ATLANTA, GA — Local students competed last week in the SkillsUSA National Championship in Atlanta, Georgia. After qualifying at the state level, seven students moved on to the championship. Greg Edinger, superintendent of Vanguard-Sentinel Career & Technology Center, said, "To compete at the national SkillsUSA and Educators Rising championships, students must possess a unique combination of technical expertise and creativity." The opportunity requires extensive practice time, dedicated mentoring and a strong commitment to excellence, he said. "We are immensely proud of our students," Edinger said. In addition, Ediger recognized the teachers, industry partners, administrators, partner districts and the board of education for supporting Vanguard Sentinel and helping them achieve greatness. J.D. May, who is homeschooled, competed in the Culinary Arts competition, and said he always has been interested in cooking. He strives to achieve excellence as a chef and leader, and is not afraid to be taught and learn new things, he said. May said he has practiced hundreds of hours for SkillsUSA competitions. The Culinary Arts competition involves hot and cold food preparation and presentation, and evaluation is based on organization, knife skills, cooking techniques, creativity, sanitation, food safety and quality of prepared items. May took eighth place at Nationals. Aubrie Gooding, a Clyde High School student, qualified to the national barbering competition. Gooding said she chose barbering because it was something out of her comfort zone, and she is grateful to her teacher, Mrs. Reese, for helping her achieve a high level of success. Individual growth, she said, is achieved by "putting yourself in uncomfortable positions and having no choice but to find the good in it." Gooding said she has prepared for SkillsUSA by spending her free time practicing and always looking for ways to improve or change. She also values the opinions, perspectives and input of others. The barbering contest involves hair cutting, hair styling, hair color and beard design and coloring. Gooding received a silver medal at Nationals. Tiffin Columbian student Hannah Gilts competed in the nail care division of SkillsUSA. "I've always loved creating unique nail designs," she said, and participating in SkillsUSA helped her become more creative and meticulous. Competing at nationals "has been an opportunity of a lifetime," she said. Gilts said she spent considerable time practicing and perfecting her techniques and strives to stay up-to-date with new trends. She also is grateful for her cosmetology teacher, who "has driven me to be the best of the best." The nail care competition is comprised of oral communication skills, acrylic application, tip and light-cures enhanced overlay application, nail polish application, nail art, pedicure and a written exam. Gilts received a bronze medal at Nationals. Mia Miller, of Mohawk High School, competed in esthetics at SkillsUSA nationals. Miller said she has always wanted to pursue a career in esthetics, and being part of SkillsUSA has helped her develop both her professional and leadership skills. She said working with her model and advisor has helped her prepare for the competition, and breaking down each section of the national technical standards was beneficial. Esthetics competitors are judged on facial cleansing massage, basic facial, beauty make-up, and fantasy make-up application skills. Miller placed seventh at Nationals. Alec Windsor, a Tiffin Columbian student, qualified in the automotive refinishing division of SkillsUSA. Windsor said being part of SkillsUSA "has shaped me to be a more refined and versatile professional in the collision repair industry." He said he has been working with his instructor, Mr. Rusch, to prepare for nationals and hone his skills. The automotive refinishing competition includes surface preparation, spray gun operation, paint mixing, matching and applying paints, solving paint application problems, determining finish defects and masking. Windsor received a silver medal at Nationals. Jenna Brown, of Hopewell-Loudon, competed in the nurse assisting division at SkillsUSA. She said she has worked extremely hard to achieve her success and is thankful for the opportunity and support of those around her. "I have realized that the best way to grow is pushing yourself out of your comfort zone," she said. Brown said she has practiced for the competition by spending many hours in the lab. "I have found that repetition is key to mastering what I do," she said. Nurse assisting is comprised of performing personal care, encouraging patient independence, and assisting with ambulation, as well as knowledge of infection control procedures, CPR, and measurement of vital signs. Brown received a silver medal at Nationals. Jimmy Kline of Lakota qualified to compete in automotive maintenance and light repair. After placing second at the state level as a junior, Kline said he was inspired to focus on studying subjects in which he was not as confident. That effort, he said, led him to nationals this year. Automotive maintenance and light repair consist of entry-level automotive repair including electrical, tire repair, changing oil, transmission maintenance, brakes service, suspension and steering, HVAC, scan tool use, vehicle information diagnostics, and executing repair orders. Kline placed in the top 25 nationally. Editor's Note: Participants and results from Educators Rising will be included in a later edition of The Advertiser-Tribune.