Thirty-two Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College students won at the state SkillsUSA competitions held during March in Jackson.  Winners earn a bid to the national SkillsUSA competitions, which will be held in Louisville, Kentucky, June 24-25, during the 51st annual National Leadership and Skills Conference.

Winners from the George County Center are Christopher Hudson and Ahmod Snead, both of Lucedale, Chapter Display, first place; Lorissa Williams, Holly Chastain and Madalyn Miller, all of Lucedale, and Heather Duvall and Shelby Byrd of Sandhill, and Anna Prentiss, of Leakesville, Occupational Health & Safety Multiple, first place; Shelby Strayham of Vancleave, Summer Paige of St. Martin and Ashlyn Johnson of Agricola, Promotional Bulletin Board, second place; Amanda Todd of Leakesville, Esthetics; second place; and Joseph Dortch and Darius Smith, both of Lucedale, and Forrest McLeod of Leakesville, Welding Fabrication, third place.

Jackson County Campus winners are Wendell Thomas Jr. of Pascagoula, Architectural Drafting, first place; and Gregory Payton of Ocean Springs, Job Skill Demonstration Open.

Winners from the Jefferson Davis Campus are George Cates of Biloxi, Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, first place; Karen Cerami of Bay St. Louis, Commercial Baking, first place; Ana Durmont of Biloxi, Food and Beverage, first place; Tom Koch of Cuevas, Technical Computer Application, first place; David Pushcar of Saucier, Auto Collision, second place; Jeremy Pryor of Gulfport, Culinary Arts, second place; Myron Washington of Biloxi, Industrial Motor Control, second place; Tiffany Stone of Gulfport, Advertising Design, second place; Patrick Scott of Gulfport, Residential Wiring, third place; and Aaron Asbury of Ocean Springs, Job Skill Demonstration A, third place.

Perkinston Campus winners are Benjamin Mersdorf of Lucedale, Information Technology Services, first place; Adam Westmoreland of Saucier, Cabinet Making, second place; Christopher Musgrove of Gulfport, Extemporaneous Speaking, second place; Anthony Nichols of Gulfport, Related Technical Math, second place; and Joseph Womble of Moss Point, Prepared Speech, third place.

During national competitions, more than 6,000 outstanding career and technical education students ––all state contest winners–– will compete hands-on in 100 different trade, technical and leadership fields. Students work against the clock and each other, proving their expertise in occupations such as electronics, computer-aided drafting, precision machining, medical assisting and culinary arts. Leadership contestants will demonstrate skills including extemporaneous speaking and conducting meetings by parliamentary procedure.

Share This Article