Two FCPS Career & Technology Center (CTC) students recently placed in the national top 10 at the 61st annual SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) in Atlanta.
Andrew Winkler from the HVAC-Plumbing program, earned a gold medal and placed first nationwide in the Sheet Metal competition. Ian Parsons from the CISCO Academy program, placed eighth nationwide in the Information Technology Services competition.
The NLSC is the nation’s largest workforce development event for students enrolled in public career and technical education programs. It features more than 6,700 competitors in 114 hands-on skill and leadership contests. The event brings together more than 17,000 attendees, including students, instructors, industry partners, government officials, administrators and more.
“I am thrilled so many FCPS Career & Technology students were able to participate in this year’s conference,” FCPS Superintendent Dr. Cheryl L. Dyson said. “This unique opportunity to showcase what they have learned and their individual talents will benefit them as they continue to build skills for success following graduation.”
FCPS CTC students recognized for outstanding achievement and representing the state of Maryland were:
- Haylee Keegan, James Thomas, and Tyler Wilson for the Chapter Display Team competition
- Alivia Wachtel for the Health Occupations Professional Portfolio competition
- Jason Thurston for the Technical Drafting competition
- Tanner Shorb for the Welding competition
- Bradley Jordon, Brian May, and Brett Pumphrey for the Welding Fabrication Team
CTC student Arwen Flint will be serving as the 2025-2026 SkillsUSA Maryland Western Region Vice-President, Michelle Osae-Addo will be serving as the 2025-2026 SkillsUSA Maryland Secretary, past 2024-2025 SkillsUSA Maryland State President Sophia Bernitt, Madison Baker, and Eryn Kelly served as national delegates and represented Maryland at the NLSC.
The SkillsUSA Championships is the nation’s largest hands-on workforce development event for middle school, high school, and college/post-secondary students enrolled in career and technical education programs. It is considered the largest skills competition in the world and one of the single largest days of industry volunteerism in the United States.