ACTI, NPTC students win at Skills USA

Students from Arkansas Career Training Institute and National Park Technology Center won a dozen events last week at the Skills USA Arkansas 2015 State Championships to qualify for the national conference this summer.

This year's state event at the Hot Springs Convention Center set records for attendance, as about 1,600 students registered for the state competitions. Almost 2,000 students and teachers registered to attend. Students from high schools, technical centers and colleges competed in more than 80 categories to demonstrate their skills in various career areas.

The Sentinel-Record previously reported incorrectly that all medalists qualified for the national event. Only first-place winners qualify for nationals.

Ten students from Arkansas Career Training Institute were awarded gold medals at the state competition. Judy Amos, Zack Kackley and Trey Wingfield won the gold medal in the Health Knowledge Bowl.

The school's other gold medal winners were April Andrews and Katie Beason, Promotional Bulletin; Darren Butchko, Customer Service; Amy Phillips, Extemporaneous Speaking; Samantha Pope, Graphic Communications; Teresa Robinson, Health Occupation Professional Portfolio; and Stephanie Valencia, Nail Care.

"I want to thank Dr. Dawn Simpson for her leadership in the development and growth of the student organizations and Wayne Thomas for his work coordinating all Skills USA activities as the campus Skills USA adviser," said Jonathan Bibb, ACTI's administrator.

"I also want to thank the instructors for working closely with our students to harness their skills, the counselors for helping them focus on the importance of these skills and career readiness coordinators for helping them prepare their resumes."

The gold medal winners from NPTC were Allie Avila, Customer Service, and Alixandria George, Basic Health Care Skills. Kristine French from the Dawson Education Cooperative won gold in Photography.

Winners will compete at the 51st annual National Leadership and Skills Conference June 22-26 in Louisville, Ky. The conference will debut in Louisville after the previous 21 were held in Kansas City, Mo.

Silver medal winners from ACTI were Marquise Griffin, Graphic Communications; Michael Hardt, Carpentry; and Tracie Morrison, Medical Terminology. The school's bronze medal winners were Caylon Mustiful, Graphic Communication; Billy Nash, Job Skills Demonstration; and Terrance Roby, Job Interview.

Valencia also earned a first-place ribbon in Cosmetology Display-Hair. Frances Chandler and Felicia Pratt earned the first- and second-place ribbons, respectively, in Cosmetology Display-Makeup.

NPTC's two silver medal winners were Nic Arnaud, Advertising Design, and Joshua Baker, Medical Terminology. Clayton Threadgill, Payton Toland, Macy Wolf and Tia Zarpaylic won bronze in the Health Knowledge Bowl. Taylor McPherson, Advertising Design, and Keanna Peck, Prepared Speech, each won bronze medals in their competitions.

Local on 04/24/2015

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