YVC Students Earn Honors at SkillsUSA Championship Competition
Leesburg, VA – Two YVC Automotive Service Technology Students recently participated in the SkillsUSA Championships. This event, by invitation only, was for first place state medalists in 102 competition areas for career and technical students. The event bills itself as the largest skill competition in the world.
Gilbert Young was a competitor in the Automotive Service Technology competition and won a Bronze Medal in Customer Service, while Erma ‘Jessica’ Villarino earned honors in the category of Presentation – Open. The SkillsUSA Championships, held in Louisville, Ky., took place June 26-27, 2019, as part of the SkillsUSA 55th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC), a showcase of career and technical education students. During the week, more than 6,400 outstanding career and technical education students, all state contest winners, competed hands-on in 103 different trade, technical and leadership fields.
Young graduated this June with an associate of applied science degree in automotive service technology. Villarino, a first-year student in the program plans to continue her studies at YVC in the fall. “We are very proud of both Gilbert and Jessica’s accomplishments,” stated Murray Ruggles, YVC Automotive Service Technology Instructor. “Gilbert and Jessica along with the other students that participated in the AST competition are true champions in their dedication to excellence in their trade and their leadership skills,” he continued.
Top student winners received gold, silver and bronze medallions. Many also received prizes such as tools of their trade and/or scholarships to further their careers and education. The SkillsUSA Championships is for high school and college-level students who are members of SkillsUSA. High scorers in the contests received Skill Point Certificates. The Skill Point Certificate was awarded in 72 occupational and leadership areas to students who achieved a high score defined by industry.
SkillsUSA is an applied method of instruction for preparing America’s high performance workers in public career and technical programs. It provides quality educational experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development. It emphasizes total quality at work: high ethical standards, superior work skills, life-long education and pride in the dignity of work. SkillsUSA programs include local, state and national competitions in which students demonstrate occupational and leadership skills. SkillsUSA is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and is cited as a “successful model of an employer-driven youth development training program” by the U.S. Department of Labor. For more information: http://www.skillsusawashington.org/about-us/.
For more information about the Automotive Service Technology program visit www.yvcc.edu/auto.
Press Release Contacts:
Jay Frank / 509.574.6870 / jfrank@yvcc.edu
Stefanie Menard / 509.574.4646 / smenard@yvcc.edu