By Erica Thomas, managing editor
PINSON — Four Pinson Valley Industrial Maintenance students proudly represented Pinson in the SkillsUSA Nationals competition in Louisville, Kentucky.
The National Leadership and Skills Conference was held June 25 – 28.
Students Torrance Stone, Jose Ocampo, Eli George and Khiyah Harris competed against teams from all over the United States. They entered two specific competitions: Occupational Health and Safety and Engineering Technology and Design.
According to instructor Lensey King, the competitions consisted of safety documentation, hazard recognition design projects, team interviews and problem-solving with budgeting constraints.
“I am proud of the students’ effort and ability to work through adversity,” said King. “It’s not easy to compete against the best students from each state, but Pinson, Alabama, showed everyone that they deserved the opportunity.”
This was the third year PVHS’s Industrial Maintenance class had the opportunity to compete nationally. The students were sponsored by the Jefferson County Board of Education, Magna Kamtek, ESC Central and DSC Pinson.
According to its website, SkillsUSA is a national membership association serving high school, college and middle school students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations, and for further education.