North Carolina community college students take home 42 medallions at national SkillsUSA Championship, represent third largest delegation

Students from North Carolina community colleges earned 42 medallions at the 59th annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta last month. The championship is a series of career competition events showcasing the best career and technical education students in the nation.  

There were nearly 18,000 total registrations and more than 6,000 competitors in 110 competitions. The North Carolina delegation consisted of more than 500 students, teachers, parents, and administrators from College Postsecondary, High School, and Middle School divisions – making North Carolina the third largest delegation in attendance. There were 113 community college student contestants from 17 community colleges.  
 
“I am incredibly proud of our students who brought home 42 medallions from the national SkillsUSA competition. Their dedication and excellence in their respective trades and skills are truly commendable. SkillsUSA plays a crucial role in preparing our students for the workforce and promoting a culture of professionalism and leadership,” said System President, Dr. Jeff Cox. “Our students’ success is a testament to their hard work and the high-quality education provided by our community colleges. Congratulations to all the participants and winners. You have made our entire state proud!” 
 
The mission of SkillsUSA is to empower students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders, and responsible community members. 

“We are incredibly proud of our students and teachers for embodying our slogan of being ‘Champions at work,’” said Paul Heidepriem, SkillsUSA North Carolina Executive Director.  “Our teachers are ensuring that the Framework of Personal, Workplace & Technical Skills are developed in each classroom.” Catawba Valley Community College of Hickory was among the 17 colleges that competed – taking home four gold medals, two silver, and receiving the Gold Chapter of Distinction and Outstanding Chapter Award. 
 
Christy Lefevers, Associate Dean of High School Programming at Catawba Valley Community College, attended the conference as advisor to the Entrepreneurship Team, who took home gold in their competition. 

“The team and I worked on the Business Plan and Business Pitch for nine months. When their name was called as the first-place winner, it was a moment I will never forget,” Lefevers said. “Seeing the team on the stage of State Farm Arena with smiles and joy on their faces was so rewarding. That moment will inspire me for years to come.” 

Lefevers said she has seen the impact of SkillsUSA firsthand.  

“I have seen students who were initially shy and hesitant gain increased confidence in their abilities. Through the hands-on competitions and leadership opportunities, students develop essential communication and professional skills,” she said. “SkillsUSA encourages students to step out of their comfort zones and interact confidently with peers and professionals. They have a unique opportunity to discover their strengths and build the self-assurance needed to succeed academically and professionally.” 

Below is a list of all 2024 medallion recipients from North Carolina community colleges: 

GOLD 

• Promotional Bulletin Board; Jessica Frierson, Jennifer Schumacher and Gracie Zazzi of Catawba Valley Community College 
• Entrepreneurship; Riley Land, Phiona Patel, Charlotte Zimmerman, Dhyan Patel of Catawba Valley Community College 
• Engineering Technology-Design; Spencer Higgs, Robert Duren, David Starnes of Craven Community College 
• Customer Service; Jennifer Maldonado-Castro of Carteret Community College 
• Outstanding Chapter; Catawba Valley Community College (Joselyn Galvin-Garcia, Lauren Land, Makala Pitman) 

SILVER 

• Audio-Radio Production; Jordan Case and Ian Powers of Gaston College 
• Culinary Arts; Gage Boggs of Carteret Community College 
• Dental Assisting; Kaitlyn Acord of Guilford Tech Community College 
• Electronics Technology; Aaron Shores of Wilkes Community College 
• Emergency Medical Technician; Logan Jenkins and Savannah Langley of Guilford Tech Community College 
• Health Occupations Professional Portfolio; Rio Fadonougbo of Guilford Tech Community College 
• Information Technology Services; Pierce Toledo of Carteret Community College
• Internet of Things (IOT) Smart Home; Joseph Fullen of Catawba Valley Community College 
• Mobile Electronics Installation; Lexus Sosa of Carteret Community College 
• Principles of Engineering-Technology; Payden Kiser of Edgecombe Community College 
• Residential and Commercial Appliance Technology; Jaiden Fraser of Guilford Tech Community College 
• Screen Printing Technology; Ella Ikerd of Catawba Valley Community College  
• Telecommunications Cabling; Parker Hamby of Wilkes Community College 
• Television (Video) Production; Grayson Taylor, Asaad Tumbling of Gaston College 
• Video News Production; Brett Lucas, Elizabeth Foreman, Justin Vertefeuille, Clara Lakey of Forsyth Technical Community College 

BRONZE 

• Career Pathways Showcase (Industrial & Engineering); Daniel Espinoza-Hernandez, Ewan Poyner, and Carlos Rojas Gabriel of Edgecombe Community College 
• Computer Programming; Timothy Newton of Guilford Tech Community College 
• Internetworking; Steven Henry of Cleveland Community College 
• Job Interview; Jenmekia Gay of Carteret Community College 
• Technical Computer Applications; Mitchell Jones of Nash Community College 

About SkillsUSA 
SkillsUSA is the #1 workforce development organization for students, empowering them to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members. SkillsUSA represents more than 400,000 career and technical education students and teachers in middle schools, high schools and college/postsecondary institutions nationwide. Those members represent 130 in-demand occupational areas, from 3-D animation to welding. A vital solution to the skills gap, SkillsUSA has served nearly 15 million members since its founding in 1965.