NMCC Students Excel at Statewide Skills Competition
NMCC Medalists (left to right) Cory Jandreau, silver medal, auto collision repair; Zachary Hagan, gold, auto collision repair; Jacques Beaulieu, gold, welding; Craig Kiser, gold, electrical construction wiring; and Chris Forbes, silver, automotive technology.
AROOSTOOK COUNTY — Northern Maine Community College students brought home three gold and two silver medals from the recent SkillsUSA Maine Championships held March 7 and 8 in Bangor. More than 950 middle school, secondary, and post-secondary trade and technical students from across Maine competed in more than seventy categories at United Technologies Center, the Cross Center, and Eastern Maine Community College.
Rick Taggett, NMCC welding instructor, was the chair of the State welding contest again this year.
“The competition opens students’ eyes to potential careers and helps them prepare for life beyond school,” said Taggett. “Our students did themselves proud.”
SkillsUSA organizes competitive events highlighting the best career and technical education students in the country and rewards students for excellence. The competitions begin on the state level and provide students unique opportunities to excel in their trade.
Many of the competitions include mock interviews and requirements of professionalism, but the focus of the day is on technical expertise and attention to detail.
Earning first place gold medals were: Zachary Hagan for Auto Collision Repair, Jacques Beaulieu for Welding, and Craig Kiser for Electrical Construction Wiring. Silver medal winners included: Cory Jandreau for Auto Collision Repair and Chris Forbes for Automotive Technology.
The NMCC SkillsUSA chapter meets throughout the academic year to prepare for the competition. Gold medal winners can compete at the national competition in Louisville, Kentucky in June.
Next year’s event will be held March 19th and 20th.