(Clarksdale, Mississippi) – Career and Technical Education (CTE) students from Coahoma Community College (CCC) made an impressive showing at the 2024 SkillsUSA State Leadership & Skills Conference, claiming numerous top awards. The 2024 State Championships was held in Jackson, MS on April 2-4, 2024 and on April 12th, 2024 at East Central Community College in Decatur, MS. During this conference, over 100 CTE students showcased their talents in 35 different trade, technical, and leadership fields.
Demonstrating mastery in their respective areas, CCC students showcased their skills in competitions that included Carpentry, TeamWorks, Automotive Refinishing Technology, and Collision & Repair Technology. These contests, which challenge students to meet and exceed industry standards, resulted in CCC students taking home gold, silver, and bronze medallions.
"Our students have worked tirelessly and their efforts have paid off spectacularly at the state level," said Carlos Pelaez, Carpentry Instructor at Coahoma Community College and former SkillsUSA competitor. "Seeing my students compete with such enthusiasm and skill brings back wonderful memories of my own experiences in these competitions."
Highlights from the championship include:
- TeamWorks: Xavier Hoskins (Webb, MS), Derrick Bass (Tunica, MS), Josepha Eskridge (Lyon, MS), and Damarion Morrison (Tutwiler, MS), all from CCC’s carpentry program, earned Gold Medals.
- Gold Medal in Automotive Refinishing was awarded to Jatavian Williams, representing CCC's collision & repair program.
- Silver Medal in Carpentry went to Hernando Edwards.
- Bronze Medal in Collision & Repair was secured by Jakevin Williams.
These state champions are now eligible to compete in the national SkillsUSA Championships scheduled to take place in Atlanta, from June 24-28, 2024, at the Georgia World Congress Center. This national event is set to be the largest showcase of America’s most highly skilled CTE students, featuring over 6,000 state champions from across the country competing in 115 skilled and leadership competitions.
"As the first-time national competitors in the Teamwork category, our carpentry students are poised for success. Their achievements reflect the high standard of training provided by our instructors and the determination of each student to excel in their respective trades," added Pelaez.
The SkillsUSA Championship competition is the ultimate showcase of student excellence in career and technical education (CTE). These students are provided a platform to display their skills in front of a national audience. This event not only tests student skills but also prepares them for real-world career challenges in a competitive environment.
For information about SkillsUSA, contact the SkillsUSA Advisor, Sheila Sanders, at (662) 621-4192 or ssanders@coahomacc.edu. You may also visit the national SkillsUSA website: www.skillsusa.org.
About SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a vital solution to the growing gap in the skilled workforce. It builds
a bridge between education and industry, fostering skilled, employable, and well-rounded
individuals who will thrive in their careers and contribute to global prosperity.
The organization’s mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers,
leaders, and responsible American citizens.
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