Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College students won 14 first-place, five second-place and four third-place awards at the state SkillsUSA competition held in Jackson March 1-2. Students participating in the competition are from career and technical programs at the George County Center and the Jackson County, Jefferson Davis and Perkinston campuses.

Winners from the George County Center are Shannon Merritt, of Neely, Occupational Health & Safety Single, first place; Taylor Harvison, of Leakesville, Occupational Health & Safety Single, first place; Kelly Head, of Lucedale, Occupational Health & Safety Single, first place; Aubrey Moore, of Lucedale, Occupational Health & Safety Multiple, first place; Meghan Turner, of Citronelle, Alabama, Occupational Health & Safety Multiple, first place; Taryn Heindl, of Perkinston, Occupational Health & Safety Multiple, first place; Jordan Mills, of Lucedale, Extemporaneous Speech, second place; and Colton Futral, of Lucedale, Welding Sculpture, second place.

Jackson County Campus winners are Paul Tolbert, of Ocean Springs, Welding Fabrication, third place; Alex Wilde, of Gautier, Welding Fabrication, third place; and Jordan Carter, of Vancleave, Welding Fabrication, third place.

Winners from the Jefferson Davis Campus are Courtney Severs, of Vancleave, Commercial Baking, first place; Melissa Hamilton, of Lucedale, Culinary Arts, first place; Shaun Martin, of Gulfport, Automotive Refinishing, first place; Trevor Glyn, of Moss Point, Automotive Repair, second place; Thomas Mims, of Gulfport, Electrical Construction Wiring, second place; Sean Wylie, of D’Iberville, Industrial Motor Control, second place; and Michael Turan, of Long Beach, Job Skill Demonstration A, third place.

Perkinston Campus winners are Khalil Markham, of Biloxi, Prepared Speech, first place; Steven Craddock, of Wiggins, Information Technology Services, first place; Christopher Musgrove, of Gulfport, Extemporaneous Speaking, first place; Erica Holzer, of Biloxi, Technical Computer Applications, first place; and Aron McGuire, of Gulfport, Welding, first place.

The SkillsUSA Championships are competitive events showcasing the best career and technical education students in the nation. State winners will compete at the national level in Louisville, Kentucky, June 21-24, 2016. More than 5,600 outstanding career and technical education students—all state contest winners—will compete hands-on in 100 different trade, technical and leadership events. Students work against the clock and each other, proving their expertise in career and technical occupations. Contests are run with the assistance of industry, trade associations and labor organizations and test competencies that are validated by members of business and industry. More than 15,000 individuals—including students, teachers and business partners—are expected to participate in the weeklong event.