According to their website, “SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled work force.”
It is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations. It was formerly known as VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America).
Supervising the competition last week was SkillsUSA Region 8 Chairman Carlos Jones, Jr. a metals instructor at Camden High School.
Jones said, “SkillsUSA is one of the largest youth organizations in the country. In our competitions, students can compete in 96 different skills events. Today’s competition is providing 26 of those. Any high school can compete in the event.”
According to Glynn County School System Director of Career and Technical Education, Dr. Ralph Gornto, Brunswick High School and Glynn Academy both had SkillsUSA chapters that have been consolidated into one at GICA.
Jones said one of the students competing last week in the masonry event, Kevin Morris of Camden High School, won the state competition three years in a row and took 11th place in the nation.
As the students advance to the state and national levels, prizes include scholarships that can range from $500 to $120,000. Scholarships in Culinary Arts are given in amounts of $60,000, $80,000 and $120,000.
Jones mentioned a young Georgia man who won a SkillsUSA national title in Motorcycle Engineering and Repair and received a full scholarship to Harley Davidson’s Milwaukee School of Iron and a guaranteed job upon graduation. “There’s a two year waiting list to get into the Milwaukee school,” added Jones.
Along with the scholarships and the potential for good paying jobs, other prizes include cash and tool packages.
Out of 19 Glynn Academy and Brunswick High students who competed, GICA had five first place winners last and 10 second place winners, who are all now eligible to participate in State SkillsUSA competition in Atlanta in March. Those students include: Kynjuan Tunstill 2nd Advertising Design; Darrell Wright 1st Architectural Drafting; Travis Thompson 1st Automotive Refinishing; James Fabre 2nd Automotive Service; Tiffany Devlin 2nd Basic Healthcare Skills; Brian Smiley 2nd Cabinet Making; Bobby Johns 2nd Carpentry; Dillon Spaulding 1st Collision Repair; Julie Ann Ross 1st First Aid/CPR 1st; Deontrye Armstrong 2nd Masonry; Robert Sizemore 2nd Nurse Assisting; Johnny Simmons 2nd Precision Machining; Daniel Sherman 2nd Residential Wiring; Carter Smith 1st Welding; and GICA Team 2nd Welding Fabrication.
The Islander says congratulations to all GICA students and good luck in Atlanta.