Thomas County Central High School Career Technical and Agricultural Education, or CTAE, students proved their skills in a recent competition.
The SkillsUSA Regional Competition was held Friday, Feb. 5, at Southern Regional Technical College in Moultrie. The TCCHS students placed in welding and automotive categories, with one student advancing to state competition.
? "Our students always work hard to prepare for competition," Beth Adams, director of CTAE programs at TCCHS said. "It's exciting to see all of their hard work pay off as they demonstrate their skills outside the classroom."
In welding, a team including Matt Mancil, Brian Beckwith, Cade Hebron, and Eddie Mitchell placed third in the Welding Fabrication Team category.
“We’re excited about the team’s placement,” TCCHS Welding instructor Travis Barrett said. “It’s mostly a young team (three freshmen, one sophomore), so we look forward to a big future from them within the program.”
Also, junior Brandon Mancil, 17, placed third in the Individual Welding competition and has advanced to state competition. He is the first individual competitor to place in region from TCCHS since Barrett has been in charge of the program.
First, Mancil took a written test, followed by a hands on requirement where he had to follow blue prints to make different types of welds.
“I was really surprised,” he said of his placement. “It made me feel proud of my accomplishments.”
Mancil got involved in the TCCHS Welding program because he thought it would “be cool to learn about” and he is interested in a welding career.
“There’s something about joining two pieces of metal together,” he said. “You’re creating something.”
Mancil said he’s learned a lot from Barrett he would not have known without taking the class, and he encouraged others to give welding a shot.
Barrett said he is proud of his students for their standout work both on and off the competition block. He also looks forward to continuing to build his program’s involvement in Skills USA.
“SkillsUSA is the ?nation's ?second largest nonprofit ?student organization behind Future Farmers of America,” Barrett said. “I’m trying to get our program on the same level as FFA. This competition is a great start and foundation for all going forward.”
In automotive, TCCHS student Stanley Clay placed third in the Automotive Technology competition.
“I felt good about coming in third,” Clay said. “When I got my name called, I was really happy.”
Clay adds he knows “for a fact” he can do better, but for his first time in competition coming in third was a positive accomplishment.
“I feel really accomplished and I’m looking forward to going again and doing better next year,” he said.
TCCHS Automotive Technology instructor Michael Clapper said Clay is a “stand out” be?c?ause he has background in the field (his father has an automotive business) and because Clay is not afraid to get dirty and always asks questions when he doesn’t understand something, a must for the job.
“He’s an outstanding student in the program,” Clapper said.
Events like SkillsUSA, Clapper said, gets kids interested in competing and activities outside the classroom.
“Learning in the classroom and then going to a competition, that makes it real for them,” he said.