Over 150 high school students competed in the Region 4 SkillsUSA competition hosted by Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College and the Warren County Area Technology Center, on Friday, Feb. 21.

Russellville Area Technology Center students took first place in eight contests. Thirteen different students were champions, with Trevor Brown winning an individual title and joining six teammates in capturing Russellville’s annual specialty, the Opening and Closing ceremonies.

Melissa Jones, who teaches information technology at the school, coordinates the school’s SkillsUSA team and is also SkillsUSA Southern Region 4 coordinator.

RATC students come from Russellville, Logan County and Todd Central high schools. The school is on the RHS campus.

SkillsUSA is a United States career and technical student organization serving more than 320,000 high school and college students enrolled in training programs including technical, skilled, service, and health occupations. It was known for many years as Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA).

SkillsUSA offers competitive activities in which students strive to achieve in a variety of occupational skill and leadership areas. Competition in skill and personal achievement is encouraged at all levels. Leadership contests include public speaking, parliamentary procedure, safety, opening and closing ceremonies, and job interviewing.

Occupational skill contests include the building trades, health occupations, automotive technology, electrical/electronics, and personal services. Other competitions are: outstanding SkillsUSA chapter, community service, entrepreneurship and customer service.

Winners at the local events move on to state and national levels. First, second and third place winners in the contest received a gold, silver, or bonze SkillsUSA medallion.

Winner from RATC in this year’s Region 4 competition were:

First Places

Daniel Keith: Automotive Services

Dustin Alford: Architectural Board Drafting

Trevor Brown: Computer Maintenance Technician

Tyler Hopkins, Motor Control

Kayla Hunt, Patriotic Salute to America

Zackary Elamon, Precision Machining

Jessica Anderson, Spelling

Greg Irvin, Welding Sculpture

Team of: Jackie Johnson, Katlyn Sells, Madison Anderson, Shelby Bell, Trevor Brown, Tyler Hopkins, and Chris Webster, Opening and Closing

Second Places

Jeremy Richmond, Precision Machining

Team of Gregory Irvin, Katlyn Stamps & Preston Burchett, Welding Fabrication

Third Place

Tristan White, Construction Tool Identification