Choctaw County SkillsUSA Chapter Compete at Regionals
The Choctaw County Career and Technology Center Chapter of SkillsUSA competed at Regional Competition Friday, January 28 at East Central Community College. The Construction/Carpentry and Culinary Arts programs make up the Choctaw County SkillsUSA chapter. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. A nonprofit national education association, SkillsUSA serves middle-school, high-school and college/postsecondary students preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations.
SkillsUSA offers a variety of leadership and skilled competitions. Choctaw County students participated in the following:
Darren Brooks, Culinary Arts, participated in the Job Demonstration competition. He demonstrated how to make an espresso drink.
Taniyah Prior and Keely Dendy, Culinary Arts, participated in Job Interviews. They completed a job application and a mock interview.
Hunter Smith, Construction/Carpentry competed in Technical Math.
Students also competed in team leadership competitions. The SkillsUSA Opening and Closing Ceremonies career competition evaluates the contestants’ understanding of the symbolic representation of the colors and assembled parts of the SkillsUSA emblem and challenges students to demonstrate teamwork and professional presentation skills. Members of the Opening and Closing Team are Bella Juarez, president, Jaci Weeks, vice-president, Chase Bell, secretary, Journee Banks, historian, Royce Mosley, parliamentarian, Za’Raiyah Jones, treasurer, and AJ Hobbs, reporter.
The Quiz Bowl competition tests the knowledge of selected team members on various aspects of general academic knowledge, professional development and current events. The Choctaw County Quiz Bowl team is Ja’Quez McCane, Culinary Arts, Collin Clark, Construction, and Gavin Fox, Construction.
Students in Construction/Carpentry, Payton and Paxton Hammons competed in the Masonry Skill competition.
Students brought home first place and gold medals in Opening and Closing Competition and Masonry Competition. These students will advance to State Competition in Jackson, MS on March 8-10 at the Trade Mart. Ja’Quez McCane will also compete in the Commercial Baking competition.
Advisors for SkillsUSA are Mr. Robert Black and Mrs. Ashley Fondren.
