Career and technical education students traveled to Atlanta, GA, this summer to attend
and compete in the 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, held
June 23–27, 2025. This annual event is one of the nation’s largest hands-on workforce
development gatherings, showcasing the talents of state champions from across the
United States.
After earning first place at the 2025 State Leadership and Skills Conference in Jackson, MS, the students advanced to represent Mississippi on the national stage. Competing at the Georgia World Congress Center—a venue spanning 1.79 million square feet, the size of 31 football fields—they joined students from community colleges across the country in demonstrating their skills.
Three carpentry students experienced their first national competition, while one returning competitor added his experience to the team. Residential Carpentry TeamWorks competitors included Michael McLaurin of Mound Bayou, Joshua Wilson of Cleveland, Josepha Eskridge of Lyon, and Donald Harrington of Clarksdale. In addition, Jatavian Williams of Clarksdale, who also secured first place at the state level, competed in Automotive Refinishing through the Collision and Repair Technology program. This marked his second appearance at the national competition.
The week offered more than competition—it provided opportunities for learning, networking, and building community. One popular tradition at SkillsUSA is state pin trading, where each state designs a unique pin in the shape of its state. Students and advisors exchange pins throughout the week, with many collecting 25 to 50 by the end of the conference. This year, one of the carpentry students designed Mississippi’s official pin, which won the state pin design contest at the spring leadership conference in Jackson and was proudly featured at nationals.
Carpentry instructor Carlos Pelaez and collision repair instructor Etavious Johnson expressed how proud they were of their students. They said they were elated to see their students advance to nationals for a second year in a row. Although the students did not bring home national titles, they gained valuable experiences and enjoyed the opportunity to connect with students from across the country.
The SkillsUSA Championships is the premier showcase of America’s most highly skilled career and technical education students. This year’s event featured more than 6,700 state champions competing in 114 skilled and leadership contests. SkillsUSA continues to be the nation’s leading workforce development organization, preparing students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders, and responsible community members.
For more information about SkillsUSA, please visit www.skillsusa.org.