Year in Review: UACCM Students Win Gold at SkillsUSA

(L to R): UACCM welding instructor Zackary Freeman, student Joseph Brasko, Phillip Rusakov,
Matt Williams, and Cain Newton 

Eight students from the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton competed against their peers in the state SkillsUSA competition at the Hot Springs Convention Center, bringing home five gold and two bronze awards.

The competition tested students’ skills and knowledge in technical fields, with UACCM students competing in the drafting and welding categories. Gold-medal winners are eligible to attend the SkillsUSA national competition this June in Louisville, Ky.

Students gain a sense of pride when competing," Kristen Karetov, a UACCM drafting instructor, said. "This is an opportunity to show the state of Arkansas the skills that they have worked so hard to obtain. Then, if they win a gold medal, they get to show the United States. SkillsUSA is a confidence booster for most students. Even those that don’t win, at least they put themselves out there and competed when most don’t."

Drafting:

Raquel Taylor – technical drafting, gold

Ted Johnston – technical drafting, bronze

Jessie Lentz – architectural drafting, gold

Welding:

Matt McWilliams – welding fabrication, gold

Phillip Rusokov – welding fabrication, gold

Cain Newton – welding fabrication, gold

Joseph Brasko – welding, bronze

Peyton Freeman – welding

(L to R) Brasko, Newton, and McWilliams