Wilkesboro, N.C. – Wilkes Community College (WCC) SkillsUSA students finished in the top ten and seven in the top twenty in the nation from the 60th Annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC), held in Atlanta, Georgia June 23-27, 2025. WCC was represented by fourteen student competitors and six advisors. The students qualified to participate in the national competition by winning first-place gold medals in April at the statewide competition held in Greensboro, N.C.

North Carolina was very well represented in the SkillsUSA Championships. The College Postsecondary delegation consisted of 244 members (120 student contestants) from 28 colleges. The College Postsecondary student-competitor delegation consisted of 50 medalists (42% of the Postsecondary contestants), while 105 placed in the top 10 (88%). NC College Postsecondary students earned 10 gold, 25 silver, and 15 bronze medals

Wilkes Community College and Career & College Promise (CCP) students competed and finished in the following areas:

  • Cyber Security (College)
    • Benjamin Collins, Derrick Rivas – 7th -place team
  • Automotive Refinishing Technology (Wilkes Early College)
    • Leah Clarke – 6th place.
  • Electrical Construction Wiring (CCP)
  • Jacob Cox – 16th place
  • Power Equipment (College)
    • Matthew Rivera– 12th place
  • Telecommunications Cabling (College)
    • Dylan Rivera – 9th place (Silver Medalist)
  • Web Design and Development (College)
    • Ivey Sanders, Julie Summerlin – 4th place team
  • Welding Fabrication (CCP) East Wilkes High School
    • James Holbrook, Rhett Hudson, Roger Lyon – 36th place team
  • Welding Fabrication (College) Alleghany Center
    • Jonathan Bumgardner, Joshua Lyman, Levi Spurlin — 20th place team

“The 2025 SkillsUSA national competition was a life-changing event for everyone in attendance. It was great to see all the students competing in their contests. I would like to thank all of those who stepped outside of the box to compete in the National Conference,” said Jamie Reavis, WCC SkillsUSA advisor, and Transportation Technology chairperson. “They are recognized as the best of the very best students in the country – they are champions!” Reavis added, “This success doesn’t come easily; it requires vigorous hard work and dedication.”

Beyond the competitions, students enjoy networking and professional development opportunities that can help set the path for their post-college careers. Hundreds of the country’s leading employers attend the national conference to scout for new talent to join their companies.

With our college’s consistent presence and continued top ranking at the national conferences, Wilkes Community College is recognized as a national leader in post-secondary and secondary education.

Window World, Inc. served as the lead sponsor for this year’s SkillsUSA initiatives, providing vital support that helped make this success possible.

WCC would like to express heartfelt thanks to its many supporters, including:

Local Partners: Parker’s Building Supply, Blue Ridge Tractor, McNeill Nissan, Flowers Auto Parts, Colors Edge,  HD Supply, High Country Paint, Home Builders Association of Wilkes and Yadkin, Impact Collision, John Deere with James River Equipment, Kris Dell Applied Software, L & A Emergency, Inc., Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse, ARC 3 Welding Supply,  North Wilkesboro and Wilkesboro Volunteer Fire Departments,  Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of NC, Inc., Specialty Fabricators Snap-On Tools, The Welding Company, Triad Freightliner, Western Carolina Electric.

Individual and Organizational Donors: Duke Energy, Carolina West Wireless, Town of North Wilkesboro, Nathan Bell, David Brown, Emily Call, Jody Call, John Cothren, Sabrienna Edwards, Steven Foster, Matthew Ham, Bryan Hartzog, Karen Kennedy, Mark McNeill, Nina Miller, Jamie Reavis, Kathie Rider, Patricia Riley, Judy Sheperd, Andrea Smith and Stacie Taylor, Wilkes County Home Builders Association.

Contributions to the WCC Annual Fund-SkillsUSA may be sent to WCC Foundation/Annual Fund, P.O. Box 120, Wilkesboro, NC, 28697.

About WCC Skills USA Club

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. It helps each student excel. SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations, including health occupations.

While the highlights of the club’s year are the state and national competitions, students work year-round to prepare for competition and to promote SkillsUSA. Most recently, WCC hosted the Region 7 SkillsUSA Conference and Career Showcase on February 26, 2024. This annual educational and professional development activity is open to all SkillsUSA members and advisors, high school Career and Technical Education students, business and industry partners, and educational partners. The event included SkillsUSA competitions and the opportunity for high school students to explore the many career training opportunities available to them at WCC. In 2005 Wilkes Community College SkillsUSA Club was organized and developed the. In 2006, Wilkes Community College was represented at the state and national competitions in its first year of competing with twelve students from various engineering technology disciplines. Each year, participation in the SkillsUSA Club grows as students and faculty learn the benefits of being involved.

This active club operates with significant support from local individuals, businesses, and organizations. The assistance helps to offset the cost of hosting events and traveling to competitions. For more information about supporting SkillsUSA, contact Jamie Reavis at 336-838-6192 or ljreavis691@wilkescc.edu.

Wilkes Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System, is a public, two-year, open-door institution serving the people of Wilkes, Ashe, and Alleghany counties and beyond. Established in 1965, WCC continues to build on a strong history of meeting the educational needs and cultural interests of our students, community, and workforce. WCC prepares learners for success in a dynamic world.

PHOTO:

WCC students at the 2025 SkillsUSA National Competition

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