MUSCLE SHOALS– Proving to be some of the best in the nation, Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) students were awarded medalist honors in Cabinetmaking, Carpentry and Cosmetology (Job Skill Open Demonstration) at the 2016 SkillsUSA National Competition in Louisville, Ky. last week.
The following students placed in the top three nationally at last week’s 2016 SkillsUSA National Competition in Louisville, Ky.
- Joseph Ezell, of Five Points, Tenn., won the silver medal (2nd place in the nation) in Carpentry
- Jonathan Howard, of Rogersville, Ala., won the bronze medal (3rd place in the nation) in Cabinetmaking
- Amber Hutcheson, of Bear Creek, Ala., won the bronze medal (3rd place in the nation) in Job Skill Open Demonstration (Cosmetology)
According to NW-SCC Associate Dean of Workforce Development, Rose Jones, NW-SCC career technical students made history last week. “This is the first time we have had multiple medalists at the national SkillsUSA competition,” stated Jones. “We have been among the best in the state in cosmetology and carpentry for several years, but I think this shows that many of our career technical programs are in the discussion with the best in the nation. I want to express how proud I am of our instructors and students. To me, they are the best in the nation.”
NW-SCC Carpentry instructor, Titus Grisham, had the opportunity of teaching and training two national medalist over the past year and he knows how rare of a feat this is for a program. “There are a lot of tremendous carpentry instructors that never get the opportunity to experience training one national medalist, but to be able to have two of them in class, is something special,” said Grisham. “I think one way we are able to help our students is by sharing the first-hand experience that Jessie (White) and I have had at state and national competitions. In 2010, Jesse was in their shoes. He won a silver medal for the College and can really help them with the mental preparation it takes to be successful on this stage.”
Other than Hutcheson, Howard and Ezell, NW-SCC had one other student place in the top 10 at the 2016 National SkillsUSA competition: Rebecca Borden of Florence, Ala. (10th place in Cosmetology – Job Skill Demonstration A).
NW-SCC SkillsUSA sponsors are: Salon and Spa Management – Melinda Grissom and Callie Bankston; Cabinetmaking/Carpentry – Titus Grisham and Jessie White.
The 2015 SkillsUSA National Championships placed over 6,000 outstanding career and technical education students against each other in elite hands‑on competition in 100 different trade, technical, and leadership fields.
Media Release/Trent Randolph
Public Information Officer
Northwest-Shoals Community College
