Every East Mississippi Community College student who entered the Mississippi SkillsUSA Championships in Jackson earlier this month earned either a gold, a silver or a bronze medal in the statewide competition for college and university students enrolled in a career technical program, including a local student from Choctaw County.
Five students in EMCC’s Automotive Services Technology Program, including Andrew McKay of Ackerman, earned state championship titles and will compete in the national championships during the 54th National Leadership and Skills Conference June 25-29 in Louisville, Ky.
McKay placed third in Diesel Equipment Technology category at the championship.
EMCC students from both the Welding & Fabrication Technology and Automotive Services Technology programs competed in the state event that took place April 10-11 at multiple locations near Jackson, including the Clyde Muse Center in Pearl. Harley Davidson hosted the motorcycle repair contest, with Bass Pro Shops handling the marine component and Hinds Diesel Academy overseeing the diesel competition.
“We are really proud of all of our students,” EMCC Welding instructor Gary Gammill said. “As far as I know, all community colleges in Mississippi have a welding program with some taught on multiple campuses. This is a big, competitive competition.”
More than 6,000 students, all state contest winners, will compete in 100 different trade, technical and leadership categories for national championship titles in June.
Last year, six Automotive Services Technology students and four Welding & Fabrication students earned the SkillsUSA state championships and advanced to the national championships, where three of the students earned gold medals and were named national champions.
In 2016, EMCC’s Automotive Services Technology department was awarded a 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe for having the student who won the gold medal in the Automotive Services Technology division in the national championships that year. The car is used as a repair training tool for students in the program.
Automotive Services Technology instructor Dale Henry said there is no secret to EMCC’s success in the state and national championships.
“It’s just hard work and keeping at it,” Henry said.
The students benefit in that EMCC has garnered a reputation for producing top-notch employees, Henry said.
“Our students are sought after and we have a really good history of putting them to work,” Henry said. “Another benefit of the competitions is that the wins are a good recruiting tool. You have high school kids competing in their divisions and it helps us when they keep hearing EMCC’s name called over and over when the winners are announced.”
