OCCHS students earn honors in Skills USA competitions

The Messenger 02.20.13

“Skills USA Champions at Work: Prepared With the Skills America Needs” was the theme as Obion County Central High School students took part in their annual local competition last month.
Winners were chosen in several departments.
Courtney Warner, a senior at OCCHS and secretary of Skills USA, won first place in the Cosmetology Department’s competition — which is a 90-degree haircut with a style and a formal evening style.
Judges were Traci McIntosh of A Better You in Union City and Sabrina Butler, owner of Salon B in Obion, both OCCHS graduates and Skills members who competed at the local, regional and state levels. Cosmetology instructor D’Anna Vancleave said Ms. McIntosh placed eighth in national competition in Kansas City in 2003.
After the local contest last month, the two judges shared their knowledge of evening styles and the latest haircuts “that would explode on any stage,” Ms. Vancleave said.
“What an example these former students, now professionals in our community, have set for the students,” she added.
Cosmetology Department instructor Patsy Nicks announced the results of the suitcase display event. An example was set up for exhibition the day of the competition, which is judged at the state level.
The suitcase display consists of a three-person team — Shelby Ladd, Nikki Butler and Krista Corum, all seniors at OCCHS. In addition, Miss Ladd is reporter for Skills USA.
The team’s main focus will be on hair color and “Giving Clients What They Want.” They will use the theme “Champions at Work: Prepared With the Skills America Needs” and the background of the case will be safari with pops of hair color the team will create by formulating different shades in the cosmetology lab.
This year, the suitcase will be judged on educational value, layout and design, teamwork and an oral presentation from one of the student representatives explaining the process, purpose and educational value.
In the criminal justice competition, the returning first-place winner is Joshua Thompson, a senior at OCCHS and president of Skills USA. He also had the opportunity to compete at nationals in 2012, where he placed 36th, according to criminal justice instructor Heath Cunningham.
Competition consists of both written examination and practical exercises. The students were scored on their knowledge and application of U.S. constitutional law, written and verbal communication skills and their ability to handle an entry level law enforcement position.

The forensic crime scene competition consists of a three-person team — Diana Ramos, Courtney Carroll and Laina Roberson, all juniors at OCCHS. Students were directed to a mock crime scene and briefed about the situation. Their teams processed the crime scene, collected and removed evidence, lifted fingerprints, wrote a report, sketched the crime scene and marked evidence.
Job interview competition winner is junior Austin Anton. This contest consists of completion of employment applications and an in-depth interview. The student is evaluated on the understanding of employment procedures faced in applying for a position in the occupational area for which he is trained.

Judges for the three competitions for Cunningham’s contests were Lt. Andy Gibson of the Union City Police Department and Sgt. Jeff Jackson of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Instructors said these two law enforcement officers have devoted time and patience and have instilled in the students an insight into what law enforcement means, while serving and protecting their community.
In the welding competition, Dusty Gumm placed first from among nine competitors. Instructor Will Simmons said the competition was a big success.
The welding competition consisted of various aspects of welding, measuring weld replicas, using weld measuring gauges, laying out a place and using oxy-acetylene equipment to cut several holes that are checked for accuracy and quality. Competitors complete the steel project and weld an aluminum project in various positions using a variety of filler metals.
Judge for the event was retired welding instructor Joe Wade of South Fulton, who has been giving to the community for over 30 years and making an impact in students’ lives. He taught at the former Obion County Vocational Center, where he instructed many students who are now in the field of welding and are employed throughout the area.
OCCHS senior Timmy Montgomery repeated as first-place winner in the carpentry competition. He competed at the state level in the 2012 competition and had the opportunity to compete at nationals, where he placed 42nd, according to instructor Coby Watts.
His competition consists of framing walls using wood and metal steel studs, cutting and installing rafters, gable and overhangs, fascia board and soffit installations and installing sheathing exterior siding and trim. Demonstration of knowledge of stair construction is required, and students are judged in accuracy, ability to read and interpret blueprints, workmanship, safety and proper use of tools, equipment and materials.
Professionals in the carpentry business who have given their time and input of knowledge to students and also serve on the advisory committee for carpentry are Jeff Allen, Norman Chandler and Larry Mink. Lumber and materials for many projects have been donated by Lowe’s and Home Builders Mart.
Collision repair instructor Jeremy Roney has announced competition in which a student will be competing at the state level in a series of work stations to assess skills in the areas of metal straightening, welding, plastic repair and structure analysis and on a written test on estimating, structural analysis and an ASE exam. Competitors will also participate in an interview, and the appearance of the finished product, speed and proper safety practices will be included in the contest.
Roney also has a contest in automotive refinishing technology — which includes a surface preparation, spray gun operation, paint mixing, matching and applying, solving paint application problems, determining finish effects and safety. The student will also complete an interview, a written estimate and an ASE written exam.
The winner will be announced at a later time.
Roney has several businesses in the community which participate in his program. Among the supporters are Greg White of NAPA, Jeff Davis of Davis Auto Body, Cecil Roney of Tri-State International, Monroe Quinn of Allen’s Towing & Recovery and Clay Thompson of Collision Specialty, who is also a 2007 graduate of OCCHS and a former Skills member.
Russ Davis, director of Career Technology Education, organized CTE Manufacturing Day, with the Obion County Joint Economic Development Corp., representing industry throughout the area. Among the spokesmen were Paula Pardue from MVP Brands; Bobby King, an OCCHS graduate, from Greenfield Products; and Tim Aldridge from GreenPlains Renewable Energy. They spoke with students about future workforce, how to fill skilled positions, job interviews and the importance of filling out a job application, what to expect from employers, how to learn at their skill level, communications and why academics — such as math and science — are so vital for the skills the students are learning today in preparation for their future jobs.
Billy Porter of Gibson Electric Membership Corp. gave a presentation on electricity and safety. Shop safety is a top priority in any field, according to a spokesman.
The spokesman said teachers at the new technology wing at OCCHS are excited and proud to be moved onto campus. The teachers and students welcome parents and industries or local businesses to visit or get involved in what will create jobs in the community.
“Thanks to all for your dedication and input in making students one of your top priorities,” the spokesman added.

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