SkillsUSA

Nearly 140 Metropolitan Community College (MCC) students competed at the SkillsUSA Nebraska Championships that wrapped up in Grand Island on Saturday. In total, 60 MCC students placed in their respective competitions, with 18 qualifying to compete at the SkillsUSA Championships in Atlanta, June 23-27. The national competition features more than 6,500 of the top career and technical education students across the nation competing in more than 100 timed and judged competitions in their academic areas of study.

SkillsUSA Nebraska brought together hundreds of high school and college students throughout Nebraska, including 138 representing MCC. Their projects were evaluated based on their performance executing competencies used in the skilled trades and technical sciences, creative arts and design, information technology, community and human services, business and health professions.

“I was thrilled to see the level of participation by our students across all of our programs and so many competing at SkillsUSA Nebraska for the first time,” said Scott Broady, MCC dean of skilled trades and technical sciences. “SkillsUSA competitions give our students the opportunity to test themselves against the top students in the state in their areas of study. It also gives students valuable time to meet professionals working in the careers they are interested in pursuing.”

Competitions took place among high school and college-aged students. In total, MCC students collected 60 medals at the state competition — 18 gold, 22 silver and 20 bronze. All gold medalists qualified to compete at the SkillsUSA Championships in Atlanta later this summer. Additionally, all MCC students who earned gold, silver or bronze medals were awarded scholarships that ranged from $1,500 to $750. National finalists will have the opportunity to earn more scholarship funding at the national competition.

For the first time, MCC sent three students to compete in the Information Technology Services competition. Before results were announced, instructor Guillermo Rosas said he was happy to use this competition as a stepping stone for the program. The next day he learned that all three of his students — Liam Blanchard, Codie Parsons and Enzo Del Balzo — placed, with Blanchard receiving a gold medal.

Jack Kirk, who is a high school student at Papillion La Vista High School, participated with MCC at SkillsUSA Nebraska through a dual enrollment Career Academy. Competing for the first time at the state conference, Kirk said participating in the event helped him picture himself in a career doing electrical work.

“It’s a really energetic environment. [From competing at the conference], I realized that if I went into electrical construction for work, it wouldn’t feel like work because it’s so much fun,” said Kirk, who earned a bronze medal in the Electrical Construction Wiring event in high school division.

Good luck to MCC students who qualified to compete in Atlanta later this month!

MCC students medaled in the following events at SkillsUSA Nebraska: