Chattanooga, TN --- Each year, students enrolled in Tennessee College of Applied Technology programs begin the journey toward participating in the annual SkillsUSA competition at the local, state and national levels. During the 50^th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference in Kansas City from June 23-27, Chattanooga State students who reached the national level competed in 10 different events and returned home with one gold, one silver, and three bronze medals. Of the remaining students who competed, two finished in fourth place, two in seventh, and one finished thirteenth out of 24 in his contest. In all events, students competed against gold medal winners from other states. Winning the gold medal in the nursing assistant category was Christie Hudgins. A silver medal in marine service technology was awarded to Drew White. Bronze medals went to Amanda Mills in aesthetics, Daniel Burnette, major appliance repair; and Charles Smith, job skill demonstration (Massage Therapy). Fourth place awardees included Andrea Gilliam in CPR first aid and Corey Guisinger in computer numeric control (CNC) milling. Nail technology student Samantha Greco-Bishop and motorcycle service technology student Daniel Moore placed seventh in their respective fields while Steve McMeans placed thirteenth in industrial motor control. National delegates assisting at the conference, coached by Brandy Krantz, included Sarah Burnett, Amanda Coward, Brittany Anderson, and Claire Ballew whom also is a state officer serving as Parliamentarian. Students, teachers and industry work together as partners in SkillsUSA to help ensure a skilled American workforce and help each student excel. SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers, high school, and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled services occupations, including health occupations. Instructors who also attended the national conference as advisors included Lucy Hampton, Jimmy Jones, Rhonda Castleberry, Richard Claburn, Renee Richardson, Kristi Mays, Sam O’Rear, Brandy Krantz, Elonia James, and David Burgess. Also attending the national conference were Michael Mercer and Suzanne Myatt, who served as national judges for the Quiz Bowl competition. SkillsUSA programs include local, state and national competitions in which students demonstrate occupational and leadership skills. At the annual national-level SkillsUSA Championships over 5,000 students compete in 96 occupational and leadership skill areas. For more information about Tennessee College of Applied Technology programs and SkillsUSA visit www.chattanoogastate.edu/tcat or call (423) 697-4404.

First Row L-R: Claire Ballew, Amanda Cawood, Brittany Anderson, Samantha Greco-Bishop, Charles Smith, Ashleigh Renko, Drew White, Daniel Moore, Amanda Mills, Madison Owens. Second Row L-R: Christie Hudgins, Andrea Gilliam, Mike Mercer, Sarah Barnett, Elonia James, Suzanne Myatt, Renee Richardson, Brandy Krantz, David Burgess, Rhonda Castleberry, Lucy Hampton, Tamarra Pratt. Third Row: L-R Blake Burnette, Steve McMeans, Sam O’Rear, Cory Guisinger, Richard Claburn, Jimmy Jones, Kristi Caves-Mays, Mike Ricketts.