Chattanooga State's National SkillsUSA competitors and their advisers
photo by Chattanooga State Community College
Last week, 25 Chattanooga State students and 16 advisers traveled to Atlanta to participate in the SkillsUSA 2025 National Leadership & Skills Conference, and 12 returned victorious.
"The number one workforce development organization, SkillsUSA is an avenue for students to develop professional skills and make connections with industry leaders," officials said. "Competitors may earn scholarships, trade tools and even job offers."
All told, five students won gold medals, one won a silver medal and six won bronze.
“The excellence of our SkillsUSA team was on full display all week at NLSC,” said Mike Mercer, SkillsUSA director at Chattanooga State. “Our students gained valuable skills, formed long-lasting bonds and created life-long memories in Atlanta. Because of SkillsUSA, our students are truly skilled and ready to enter the workforce on day one.”
Gold Medal Winners:
Career Pathways Showcase – Human Services
• Caylin Fowler
• Emilee Rutledge
• Tia Bowers
Employment Application Process
• Lucy Nicholson
First Aid/CPR
• Takara Lawrence
Silver Medal Winner:
Job Skills Demonstration – Open
• Yolaila Palacios
Bronze Medal Winners:
Community Service
• Drake Boyd
• Derek Dunn
• Darrion Mason
Job Interview
• Natalie Garrett
Motorcycle Service Technology
• Parker Barrett
Principles of Engineering Technology
• David Perez