CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Career technical education students from Berkeley, Fayette, Lincoln, Pocahontas, Upshur and Wayne counties have captured top honors at the Skills USA National Leadership and Skills Conference.

Industry leaders representing more than 1,100 businesses, corporations, trade associations and unions recognized the students for their demonstrated excellence in 94 hands-on occupational and leadership contests, such as robotics, criminal justice, aviation maintenance and public speaking. All contests are designed, run and judged by industry using industry standards. Nearly 6,000 students participated in the events.

“It makes me proud any time West Virginia students excel on a national level,” said state Superintendent of Schools Jorea Marple. “This competition allows students to test their skills against their peers and opens the door to numerous educational opportunities. I wish them future success.”  

Kyle Duckworth, a student at Fred W Eberle Tech Center in Upshur County, received the high school gold medal in Diesel Equipment Technology. Pocahontas High School’s Team D, which included Mackenzie Halterman, Derek Hamman, Patrick Martin, Gabriel Walkup, Morgan Langston and Phillip Whites, received the high school gold medal in Chapter Business Procedure.

Rachel E Elkins, a student at Lincoln County High School, received the high school bronze medal in Extemporaneous Speaking. Michael Cook, a student at Blue Ridge Community & Tech College in Berkeley County, received the college/postsecondary bronze medal in Internetworking. Lucas Gardner, a student at Fayette Institute of Technology in Fayette County, won the high school bronze medal in Technical Drafting.

Wayne High School’s Team W, which included Ephraim Pittore and Dalton Thompson, received the high school silver in Mobile Robotic Technology. Jordan Merritt, also a student at Wayne High School in Wayne County, received the high school bronze medal in Screen Printing Technology.

 In addition to receiving medals, high scorers also were awarded Skill Point Certificates in 86 occupational and leadership areas. Other West Virginia  students earning awards are

Thomas Austin, Fred W Eberle Tech Center, Upshur County, Collision Repair Technology;

Jeremy Matko, Fred W Eberle Tech Center, Upshur, Electrical Construction Wiring;

Mattea Groves, Carver Career Center, Kanawha, Cosmetology;

Team B, Hannah McComas and Stephanie Batton, Carver Career Center, Kanawha, Nail Care;

Team BB, Brianna Sayre and Haylie Pack, Carver Career Center, Kanawha, Nail Care;

Andrew Vannoy, Carver Career Center, Kanawha, Collision Repair Technology;

Tash London, Carver Career Center, Kanawha, Commercial Baking;

Kenny Amos, Carver Career Center, Kanawha, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration;

John Tucker, Carver Career Center, Kanawha, Firefighting;

Philip Fobare, United Technical Center, Harrison, in Masonry;

Morgan Shreves, United Technical Center, Harrison, Cosmetology;

Jonathan S Harding, Ben Franklin Career Center, Kanawha, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration;

Dalton Walker, Pocahontas County High School, Carpentry;

Jonathan Hensley, Putnam (County) Career and Technical Center, Power Equipment Technology;

Team B, Byron Gordon, Michael L Mullins, Josh King and Tanner Gibson, Putnam Career and Technical Center, TeamWorks;

James Meade, Putnam Career and Technical Center, Plumbing;

Aidan Durbin, Putnam Career and Technical Center, T-Shirt Design;

Team B, Natalie M Harris, Danielle Smith, Kendra Wagner, Elisabeth Skaggs, Courtney Smith, Brooke Thaxton and Baley Rummell, Putnam Career and Technical Center, Opening and Closing Ceremonies;

Sara Phelix, Putnam Career and Technical Center, Pin Design;

Randy A Morgan, Randolph (County) Technical Center, Electrical Construction Wiring;

Molly Hoke, Lincoln County High School, Prepared Speech;

Kerry Goerke, Blue Ridge Community & Tech College, Berkeley, Culinary Arts;

Team Q, Tanner Barr, Karen Piaz and Eryn Wilson, James Rumsey Tech Institute, Berkeley, Crime Scene Investigation;

Team E, Paige Rutter, Matthew Holliday and Christopher Kirk, Fayette (County) Institute of Technology, Engineering Technology/Design;

Megan R Lent, Wood County Tech Center, Culinary Arts;

Glen Young, Wyoming County Vo Tech, Extemporaneous Speaking;

Team S, Sheldon Eric Dane Treadway, Jared Stiltner, Neal White and Daniel Lane, Wyoming County Vo Tech, TeamWorks;

Francis Hatfield, Wyoming County Vo Tech, Job Skill Demonstration Open;

Danielle Meadows, Wyoming County Vo Tech, Pin Design;

Team E, Tanner Hamilton, Adam Coleman and Jaclyn Whittaker, Mercer County Tech Educational Center, Promotional Bulletin Board;

Cydney Graham, Mercer County Tech Educational Center, Job Interview;

Brent T Payne, Mid Ohio Valley Technical Institute, Pleasants County, Welding Sculpture;

Kyle Sebastian, Wayne (County) High School, Graphic Communications.

 "Over 5,900 students from every state in the nation came to compete in the SkillsUSA Championships," said SkillsUSA Executive Director Tim Lawrence. “Students, instructors and industries are working together to ensure America has a skilled work force and every student excels. These students prove that career and technical education expands opportunities."

For more information, contact the Office of Communication at (304) 558-2699.