York Technical College Sweeps SkillsUSA State Competition

YORK COUNTY, SC – The SkillsUSA State Competition wrapped up this week, and we are proud to share that the York Technical College team swept the field in 10 different competitions.

Last year, we brought home two gold medals in CNC Milling. This year, in a dominating performance, our students took home 14 gold medals, 2 silver medals, and 1 bronze, with 17 of 31 students making the podium.

Their success proves once again that we not only have the best programs in the state but the best students and advisors too. The 14 gold medal winners will compete in the SkillsUSA National Competition in Atlanta, GA in June.

When asked about her experience, marketing student Kyla Sports said, "This experience was amazing, I was able to see just how hard my peers and advisers work to make things happen. The competition gave me a newfound respect for York Technical College, advisors, professors, and my fellow students, and I plan to work together with my peers to complete every task necessary to win at the nationals."

"I competed in the 3D animation and visualization event with my peer and teammate Billy Vanderveer," said Digital Arts and Design Student Angelo Allison. "SkillsUSA has been a great experience that I'd recommend to any student who wishes to see a glimpse of what it’s like working in a competitive atmosphere catered to their field of study. SkillsUSA has not only allowed me to hone my skills as an animator, but it also given me the opportunity to improve my team building skills by allowing me to create a team and to share this experience with another talented creator. For nationals, we plan to continue honing our craft as animators over the next few months by focusing on the key elements of cinematography, motion, aesthetics, and storytelling to help us win the gold medal."

"I am so proud of everyone," said SkillsUSA Advisor Allison Terry. "Students had the unique opportunity to showcase their skills in a competitive setting in front of industry professionals. Being willing to put yourself in front of the industry is a bold move, and the success of these students further proves that York Technical College effectively prepares its students for the workforce."

Congratulations to the following winners:

• Britney Hunter - Gold Medal in the Nursing Assistant Competition

• Josiah Ward - Gold Medal in the Electrical Wiring Competition

• William Murphy - Gold Medal in the HVAC Competition

• Daniel Marino - Gold Medal in the CNC 3 Axis Competition

• Tristan Moss - Gold Medal in the CNC 5 Axis Competition

• Daniel Pernell - Gold Medal in the Action Skills Competition

• Andrew Sheitfield - Gold Medal in the Welding Competition

• Nathan Baker and Sean Hanes - Gold Medal in the Mechatronics Competition

• Angelo Allison and Billy Vanderveer - Gold Medal in the 3-D Animation Competition

• Lorena Lee, Kyla Sports, and Abbigayle Pontes - Gold Medal in the Entrepreneur Competition

• John Hinson and Steven McGairty - Silver Medal in the Mechatronics Competition

• Giovanni Lee - Bronze Medal in the Automotive Competition

The York Technical College SkillsUSA Leadership Chapter also earned silver status thanks to the hard work of Cailee Ratliff, Nora Long, Kyleigh Reynolds, Landun Grub, Windi Bahl, and Kayleigh Milne.

Our students aren't the only ones achieving excellence. York Technical College Faculty Member Allison Terry was named State Advisor of the Year. Congratulations Allison!

Lastly, we would like to recognize all 15 of our SkillsUSA advisors whose training and leadership prepared each student to achieve success. Thank you to Maria Hansson, Walter Simpson, Anne Riechmann, Allison Terry, Ed Moore, JC Clade, Jim McNeil, Travis Nichols, Jamie Abercrombie, Bobby Griffin, Mike Brodfuehrer, Amanda Mosley, Kiwanna Brackett, Bobby Osborne, Reed Livengood, and Amanda Stevens.