Chattanooga, TN (December 21, 2015) --- The Chattanooga State Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) was well represented during the recent Tennessee Leadership and Training Institute (TLTI). SkillsUSA advisors Mike Mercer, Elonia James, Richard Claburn and Rhonda Castleberry accompanied 10 students consisting of seven local officers and three delegates for a two-day training in Murfreesboro.

Elected as 2015-2016 SkillsUSA Tennessee State Officers during the event were Cassidy Bell and Molly Martin. The SkillsUSA Statesman Award is presented each year to students during TLTI and recognizes students who have demonstrated their leadership skills and mastered certain requirements in leadership training. Damian Biondi, Nakia Campbell, Christopher Dean, Alondra Gomez, Rick Mahoney, Molly Martin, Chantal Simmons, Brittany Smith and Dustin Smith received this award. Cassidy Bell, a 2014-15 Statesman winner placed second for her pin design while Molly Martin placed second for her TLTI brochure.

The mission of SkillsUSA is to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible America citizens. SkillsUSA serves more than 300,000 students and instructors annually. For more information about a technical career and free tuition through the TN Reconnect Grant, contact the student services department of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology at 423-697-3283