MOUNT VERNON – The SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) was held June 19-23 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Over 6,500 students from across the nation competed at the NLSC. Knox County Career Center (KCCC) students Jack Fowler and Max Payne, both 2023 graduates, represented KCCC at the NLSC.

Fowler competed in the Automotive Service Technology competition and Payne competed in the CNC Turning competition. Fowler finished 13th in the nation out of 45 competitors, while Payne finished sixth in the nation out of 24 competitors. KCCC’s Don McDaniel (automotive technology instructor) and Joe LaFevre (precision machining instructor) were extremely proud of Fowler and Payne.

“It’s been an absolute honor to work with Jack through his SkillsUSA Regional and State first place finishes along with his outstanding performance at SkillsUSA Nationals,” McDaniel said. “Jack’s hard work, dedication and desire to succeed are only surpassed by his personality, his citizenship traits and his caring for others.” 

LaFevre said Payne is a competitor. 

“It showed most to me when he wasn’t satisfied with placing sixth in the country,” he said. “I was still writing him programs to practice his troubleshooting the week of the competition. As his teacher, I have to respect the competitor in him because it makes me smile. At the same time, I’m so proud of Max and I hope it settles in that he just placed sixth in the nation in his respective competition. What an honor it is to be able to say that.”