MD, VA and WV State SkillsUSA Competitions Showcase Students’ Collision Capabilities
by Chasidy Rae Sisk
Each year, talented trade students compete locally in the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conferences for a chance to showcase their skills on the national stage.
Maryland
On April 12-13, the Maryland SkillsUSA Automotive Refinishing and Collision Repair Competitions were held at Mudgett’s Auto Body in Finksburg, MD. Congratulations to this year’s winners!
Automotive Refinishing Winners
First Place: Isaiah Bouchard (Center For Career & Tech Education; Cresaptown, MD)
Second Place: Roman Bennett (Thomas Edison High School of Technology; Silver Spring, MD)
Third Place: Jennifer R. Tippett (Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Tech Center; Leonardtown, MD)
Collision Repair Winners
First Place: Benjamin Kimbark (Frederick County Career & Tech Center; Frederick, MD)
Second Place: Joselyn Benitez (Thomas Edison High School of Technology; Silver Spring, MD)
Third Place: Dimas Lima Xoj (Thomas Edison High School of Technology; Silver Spring, MD)
“Getting involved and helping the next generation is absolutely imperative for our industry,” stressed SkillsUSA-MD Collision Repair Contest Chair Justin Mudgett. “We all know the trades have been contending with a talent shortage, and our only option is to nurture tomorrow’s technicians by connecting with these kids who want to pursue this field as a living. Most of our employees started out as students at the local technical center. That’s where my dad and brother learned this trade, so supporting the school and paying it forward is very important to our family.”
This year’s judges included Stephen Peddicord, EJ Meckel, Josh Gamber, John McDowell, Beth Meckel, Eric Bell, Josh Bissett, Ish Beverly, Tim Gisiner, Nearmon Barrett IV and Carroll Gamber. “This competition couldn’t have happened without them,” Mudgett said. “Judges volunteered their time and talent. We received a lot of support and sponsorships from local independent shops that donated money and prizes to make it all happen because they all understand how important it is to come together to support our community. SkillsUSA is a great way to do something amazing for our industry’s future.”
Virginia
The Virginia SkillsUSA competitions for Automotive Refinishing, Collision Damage Appraisal and Collision Repair were held on April 19-21 at Caliber Collision in Virginia Beach. Congratulations to this year’s winners!
Automotive Refinishing Winners
First Place: Serenity Lewis (Northern Neck Technical Center; Warsaw, VA)
Second Place: Noah Spence (Triplett Business & Tech Institute; Mount Jackson, VA)
Third Place: Tanner Culp (Dowell J. Howard Vocational Center; Winchester, VA)
Collision Damage Appraisal Winners
First Place: Daniele Di Nicola (Spotsylvania Career & Technical Center; Spotsylvania, VA)
Second Place: Coby Nesselrodt (Dowell J. Howard Vocational Center; Winchester, VA)
Third Place: Kallie O’Neill (Washington County Career & Tech Ed Center; Abingdon, VA)
Collision Repair Winners
First Place: James Beazley (Northern Neck Technical Center; Warsaw, VA)
Second Place: Connor Jordan (Dowell J. Howard Vocational Center; Winchester, VA)
Third Place: Layla Wilson (Washington County Career & Tech Ed Center; Abingdon, VA)
According to SkillsUSA-VA Contest Chair Matt Ingram, “Over 50 students from all over the state of Virginia competed in the different events, performing a various array of tasks, such as blending, masking, plastic repair, metal repair, welding and estimating, in addition to taking a written exam. The competition started promptly at 8am with job interviews conducted by industry professionals. Students also had to turn in a professional resume. From 9am until 1pm, students showcased their skills during the physical part of the competition, and the day ended with the competitors and judges enjoying lunch provided by the host shop.”
Ingram expressed gratitude to the “many industry volunteers and judges from different companies, including Caliber Collision, Axalta, USAA Insurance and GEICO Insurance as well as other industry professionals. We are very fortunate in the state of Virginia to have such wonderful industry relationships with companies and individuals who are willing to partner with SkillsUSA-VA to host and sponsor these events at no cost to SkillsUSA-VA.”
West Virginia
On March 22-23, the West Virginia SkillsUSA Collision Damage Appraisal and Collision Repair Competitions were held at Fairmont State University (Fairmont, WV). Congratulations to this year’s winners!
Collision Damage Appraisal Winners
First Place: James Marple (United Technical Center; Clarksburg, WV)
Second Place: Aiden Bailey (Cabell County Career Technology Center; Huntington, WV)
Third Place: Grayson Smith (Roane-Jackson Tech Center; Leroy, WV)
Collision Repair Winners
First Place: Tyler Bryant (United Technical Center; Clarksburg, WV)
Second Place: Elijah Terry (Cabell County Career Technology Center; Huntington, WV)
Third Place: Leah Bennett (Fred W. Eberle Tech Center; Buckhannon, WV)
The first place winners from each category will go on to compete at the 2024 National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) scheduled for June 24-28 in Atlanta, GA. More information on SkillsUSA is available at skillsusa.org.
Want more? Check out the June 2024 issue of Hammer & Dolly!