Local students win at national Skills USA competition

Students from Kansas high school and college technical education programs, including several two from Fort Scott Community College, won the nation's highest awards at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Mo.

Industry leaders representing more than 1,100 businesses, corporations, trade associations and unions recognized the students for their excellence in 94 hands-on occupational and leadership contests, such as robotics, criminal justice, aviation maintenance and public speaking. All contests are designed, run and judged by industry using their standards.

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 Championship is for high school and college-level students who are members of SkillsUSA.

In addition, high scorers in the contests received Skill Point Certificates, which were awarded in 86 occupational and leadership areas to students who achieved a high score defined by industry. The SkillsUSA Championships have been a premier event since 1967.

The Skill Point Certificates were introduced in 2009 as a component of the SkillsUSA Work Force Ready System.

Local winners were FSCC students Ethan Matlock, of Arma, and Drew Tersinar of Farlington.

Matlock was awarded the college/postsecondary bronze medal in carpentry.

Tersinar took home the college/postsecondary silver medal in masonry.

FSCC carpentry instructor Kim Coates is in his third year of teaching and this is his second trip to nationals.

"It feels pretty good to get medals at nationals," Coates said. "It's an honor just to go there," because it's so hard to get there.

"When you get to nationals, everybody is good," Coates added. "You've almost got to be perfect. My guy in carpentry almost had a perfect score. It's a well-deserved place. We got silver this year and a bronze last year. Our program's in the right place. It's all about blueprint reading, speed and acrruacy. They give you a written test. It's a weeklong event. There are hundreds and hundreds of colleges there. In carpentry, we went up against 26 other states. My guy was a first-year guy. He's going to be back next year. We're going to do our best to win the whole thing."