Shamard Thomas, recent graduate of the Computer-Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) Technology program, took home silver in the nationals SkillsUSA competition for architectural drafting.  The 2021 SkillsUSA Championships were held virtually from June 14-24, 2021. Over 3,700 students from every state in the nation competed in the Championships, making it the largest skill competition in the world.   “My initial introduction with SkillsUSA was during my 10th grade year of high school when I had just begun taking architecture and architectural design seriously,” said Thomas. “The organization was introduced to my fellow peers and I on the first day of our drafting class by our teacher, Randy Wiedmaier. After learning about the organization, what they represented, and what the competitions held for my trade, I was hooked.” “Shamard was a wonderful student,” said Kristen Karetov, CADD Technology Instructor and SkillsUSA Club sponsor. She was thrilled knowing that this is the bes...

(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 th...