July 8, 2022 (Chattanooga, TN) --- Thirty statewide gold medal winners representing the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) at Chattanooga State Community College recently returned with 18 medals from the 2022 National Skills USA competition in Atlanta. Chattanooga TCAT students were among the 6,600 competitors representing the best of 330,000 student members.

EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION PROCESS: Katelyn Cooke of Hixson, Gold

Tests the contestant’s readiness in applying for employment and their understanding of the process, that includes completing an application and interviewing with the judges. Their résumé and portfolio are used during their interviews.

MEDICAL ASSISTING: Tara Grimes of Tracy City, Gold

Tested on their skills in the clinical and administrative setting and judged on speed, use of correct safety measures and ability to interact personally with the patient(s). The contestants are judged on general office skills, communication skills, patient education, knowledge of anatomy and physiology, knowledge of medical terminology, instruments, medical equipment, as well as on procedures and techniques found in an ambulatory medical office or clinic. Contestants are given a scenario which requires action; they should be able to read the scenario, assess the supplies/equipment and/or situation in a short period of time and perform a skill required for that situation within the given time limit. Documentation, grammar, correct pronunciation and spelling count in all stations.

INTERNET OF THINGS – SMART HOME: Matthew Deckman of Ooltewah, Silver

Test each contestant’s preparation for employment and to recognize outstanding students for excellence and professionalism in the field of home technology integration. The contest is made up of multiple stations where the contestants will be judged and scored on the following skills and knowledge: Installation of “smart home” residential products including items such as bulbs, thermostats, locks, alarms, sensors, cameras, speakers, a home theater system; computer networking; video security equipment and construction of the various cables used at each of the stations. A written test includes Computer Networking Fundamentals, Audio and Video Fundamentals, Home Security and Surveillance Systems, Telecommunications Standards, Structured Wiring (Low Voltage & High voltage, and Systems Integration) and IoT products.

JOB SKILL DEMO – OPEN: Liz Zapata Obregon of Wildwood, GA, Silver

Contestants demonstrate and explain an entry-level skill used in an occupational area outside of their training program. Any technical skill may be demonstrated, from outside the training program of the participant.

QUIZ BOWL: Alisha Holland-Frazier, Ashlyn West, Denzel Monfort, and Nathan Whitten of Chattanooga; Andrew Orr of Harrison; Erik Van Daley and Timothy Kerley of Dayton, Silver

A team of five competitors are tested on their ability to quickly respond to questions covering the areas of academic knowledge, SkillsUSA Career Essentials knowledge and current events. The competitors also demonstrate communications, time management, teamworking and problem-solving skills. The teams receive one point for a correct answer and lose a point for each incorrect answer. The preliminary and final rounds are 100 questions each.

OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONIES: Amy Salazar of Hixson; DiMarco Haire, Jacob King, Jerry Fuget, and Shyanne Geathers of Chattanooga; Jacob Gross and Josh Osterhaus of Soddy-Daisy, Bronze

A teamwork and oral presentation contest that evaluates teams’ understanding of the symbolic representation of the colors and assembled parts of the SkillsUSA emblem. Each team includes seven registered members in the roles of president, vice president, parliamentarian, reporter, treasurer, secretary and historian.

Chattanooga TCAT Dean Jessica Green says that the students who enroll in the TCAT division of Chattanooga State are a special group of students. “They have chosen to enroll in a full-time program to pursue an education with a particular job in mind, and most do this while caring for their families and working full-time,” noted Ms. Green. “What they accomplish is impressive and to take on the additional work required for SkillsUSA is even more impressive. We are proud of each and every one of the students that participated in SkillsUSA and feel that the national recognition of some of them is a reflection of the great education and training our students are getting at Chattanooga State.”

Advisors to these winning students included Diane Jackson, LeShundria Nelson, Nancy Draper, Mike Mercer, Rex Weeks, Tiffany Hammond, and Cynthia Rutledge.

For more information on SkillsUSA and Chattanooga TCAT programs available, please plan to attend the TCAT Open House on Wednesday, July 20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., visit chattanoogastate.edu/tcat or call (423) 697-4433.