Local students part of conference
By Staff
Staff Reports, Hartselle Enquirer
Two students from Wallace State Community College have earned spots in the Skills USA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Kansas City, Mo.
Andrew George of Eva, a sophomore electronic technology student, and Derek Winfrey of Geraldine, a sophomore welding student, joined a group of students from Wallace State-Hanceville's Welding, Electronics, Cosmetology and Auto Body programs competing in the Alabama SkillsUSA contest in Montgomery recently.
SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving more than 280,000 teachers, high school students and college students who are preparing for careers in technical and skilled service occupations.
Winfrey's first place in the state welding competition came in his event debut.
"I'm very excited about the opportunity to compete at the national level," said Winfrey. "This has been a great experience."
Winfrey began his welding education in high school and enjoyed it from the start. "From the first time I struck an arc I loved it. It's a challenging, rewarding field with a lot of opportunity."
He will be required to introduce himself and his college before judges at National Skills USA during the oral part of the competition, which will also require him to explain his choice of program, and why he joined SkillsUSA. Two written tests and a skills test will follow.
Andrew George, who finished first in the Electronic Applications competition, will be competing with Winfrey there. George finished in second place in the state event last year. He began competing in SkillsUSA in high school.
"This is my fifth year to compete. I'm thrilled with finishing first at state. I can't wait to go to nationals," he said.
Jessica Barfield, a freshman from Cullman, won second place in the state Cosmetology-Job Interview contest. Alan McCoy, a sophomore from Blountsville, took second place in Welding. Dustin Hampton, a sophomore from Cullman finished in third place in the Electronics-Computer Maintenance Technology contest.
Rome Rodgers, a sophomore from Cullman, and Travis Klosinski, a sophomore from Somerville, represented Wallace State well in the Auto Body competition.
