DCIT place in S.C. SkillsUSA competition
Front row: Kyreeq Fox, William Burdick, Jessica Pritchett; back row: Trevor Drayton, Jordan Franklin, Theodore Cutler placed in the top 10 in their respective events.
Candice Franklin placed 1st in the state and earned an opportunity to compete at national conference in Louisville, KY.
During the week of April 13-15, 2016, trade and industry students from across the state attended the SkillsUSA state conference in Greenville, S.C. Event competitions started in late March and concluded during the conference. Students displayed their intelligence, poise, and leadership ability while impressing the judges in a variety of competitive events including Automotive Technology, Carpentry, Electrical Construction Wiring, Advertising Design, Job Skill Demonstration, Machine Tool Technology, Screen-printing, and Welding. The SkillsUSA Championship started in 1967 in South Carolina with only three events. There were 54 competitors in the first championship. South Carolina now has more than 80 skill and leadership events and over 1000 competitors each year.
SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization-serving people who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations. Formerly known as VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America), SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. The South Carolina association includes membership of over 3500 students, advisors, and professionals throughout the state. It has been serving students, educators and business and industry by keeping up with both employers’ needs and education mandates and trends.
The Darlington County Institute of Technology sent seventeen competitors to the state SkillsUSA competitive event. Mr. Jesse Flowers, Mr. James Griggs, Mr. Gary Hayes, Mr. Kevin Hill, Mr. Dennis Johnson, Mr. Daren McKenzie, Mr. Kenny Tiller, and Mrs. Sandra White serve as local chapter advisors. Several DCIT students placed in the top ten in their respective events.
Patrick Maldonado placed in the top ten in the state in Electrical Construction Wiring.
• Welding Sculpture: Candice Franklin (HHS) – 1st
• CNC Turning Specialist: Theodore Cutler (HHS) – 2nd
• Graphic Imaging Sublimation: Jonathan Brown (DHS) – 2nd
• Electrical Construction Wiring: William Burdick (DHS) – 3rd
• Job Skill Demonstration A: Kyreeq Fox – 6th
• Screen Printing: Jessica Pritchett – 6th
• Welding: Cotie Lawson – 6th
• Electrical Construction Wiring: Patrick Maldonado – 7th
• Job Skill Demonstration A: Jordan Franklin – 8th
• Electrical Construction Wiring: Trevor Drayton – 8th
• Advertising Design: Cricket Porter – 9th
Each student placing in the top three received a certificate and a medallion. Additionally, Candice Franklin qualified to compete at the national SkillsUSA conference in Louisville, KY on June 20-24, 2016. More than 16,000 students,
teachers, and business partners are expected to participate in the national SkillsUSA conference.
Jonathan Brown, Cotie Lawson, Candice Franklin, Cricket Porter beat out other students in the state to place in the top 10 in their event.