MOUNT VERNON – Knox County Career Center (KCCC) students competed in the SkillsUSA Southeast Regional competition over the first weekend in March. 

KCCC had seven students from metal fabrication and welding, automotive technology, cosmetology, collision repair, precision machining, and sports medicine and exercise science who qualified for the SkillsUSA Ohio State Championships. 

The SkillsUSA Ohio State Championships brings over 5,000 competitors, business and industry partners, instructors, and vendors together in over 100 contests in all 16 career pathways to showcase career and technical education in Ohio. Students compete for the title of best in Ohio in their respective career fields. 

“SkillsUSA is the largest career technical organization," Elaine Robinson, KCCC principal and SkillsUSA adviser, said. "We are excited for our students to compete in their skilled trade areas alongside the other top students from around the state."

The following students qualified to compete in the SkillsUSA Ohio State Championships April 25-26 in Columbus: 

- Jack Fowler (automotive technology) - Automotive Service Technology (Gold/1st place) 

- Zackary Calbert (precision machining) - CNC Milling (Bronze/3rd place) - Zoey Kennedy (cosmetology) - Cosmetology (Bronze/3rd place) - Brady Schwartz (metal fabrication and welding) - Welding (Bronze/3rd place) - Stephen Brazeal (collision repair) - Automotive Refinishing Technology (Bronze/3rd place) 

- Tyra Warth (cosmetology) - Prepared Speech (Bronze/3rd place)

- Carly Cammuse (sports medicine and exercise science) - Job Skill Demonstration A (Bronze/3rd place) 

SkillsUSA Ohio’s mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. SkillsUSA improves the quality of America’s skilled workforce through a structured program of citizenship, leadership, employability, technical and professional skills training. 

For more information about SkillsUSA Ohio State Championships, visit OhioskillsUSA.org.