Published Tuesday, July 16th, 2024
Five Wayne State students earned gold and bronze medals while six others placed during the SkillsUSA National Championships held June 24-28 in Atlanta.
Five Wayne State College students won gold and bronze medals during the SkillsUSA National Championships at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) held June 24-28, 2024, in Atlanta.
Hailey Hoffman of Columbus and John Mann of Norfolk won the gold medal in the Robotics – Urban Search and Rescue category. Zach Covington of Papillion, Jonathon Dixon of Craig, and Sarahi Lopez of South Sioux City took home the bronze medal in the Chapter Display competition.
Several other Wayne State students placed during the competition but did not receive medals. They were:
Paullina, Iowa – Makenzie Meyer, 17th place, Welding Sculpture
Bennington – Morgan Bird, 4th place, Job Interview
David City – Hannah Woolsey, 6th place, Prepared Speech
Schuyler – Maddie Prochaska, 9th place, First Aid/CPR
Thedford – Ariel Bryant, 7th place, Job Skill Demonstration
Wakefield – Jeremiah Chase, 6th place, Cabinetmaking
“This was a great year for Wayne State at the SkillsUSA National Championships,” said Covington, a senior who serves as president of SkillsUSA at Wayne State. “Urban Search and Rescue is the second team to place first from Wayne State, and this was the first year we had multiple competitors place during the National Championships.”
SkillsUSA’s National Leadership and Skills Conference is the largest gathering of America’s future skilled workforce and the ultimate recognition of excellence in career and technical education. Held in Atlanta each June, the NLSC is a week-long celebration of the skilled trades and the accomplishments of career-ready leaders from across the United States. The event brings together more than 16,000 attendees, including students, instructors, industry partners, government officials, administrators and more, according to the SkillsUSA website.
More than 6,000 state champions competed for national gold, silver, and bronze medals in 115 skilled and leadership competitions.
The SkillsUSA organization helps students develop personal skills such as integrity, work ethic, professionalism, responsibility, adaptability, flexibility, self-motivation. Students involved also gain communication, decision making, teamwork, multicultural sensitivity and awareness, planning, organizing and management and leadership skills.