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TCAT McKenzie Students Win State Awards

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Tennessee College of Applied Technology in McKenzie sent 20 post-secondary students and two dual enrollment students to the Tennessee SkillsUSA Competition in Chattanooga. Thirteen students received medals in various competitions. Faculty members who attended were Heating, Ventilation, Air conditioning and Refrigeration Technology (HVAC/R) Instructor Terry Wilson, Automotive Technology Instructor Dan Townsend, Welding Technology Instructor David Earley, Machine Tool Instructor Zak Crider, Information Technology Systems Management (ITSM) Instructor Jon McKinney, Vice President John Penn Ridgeway, and President Dr. Brad White.

Silver medalists included Dusty Griffin, HVAC/R student from Milan for HVAC/R (Heating, Ventilation, Air conditioning and Refrigeration); Alex Bertino, Machine Tool student from McKenzie for CNC Turning Specialist, College; Devin Stafford, Machine Tool student from Trezevant for CNC Milling Specialist and the Quiz Bowl Team consisting of Richard Hendrix ITSM student from Huntingdon, Jacob Landers ITSM student from Milan, Duncan Walden ITSM student from Camden, Kirby Walden ITSM student from Camden, Kevin Varvaro ITSM student from Greenfield, Sean Chaney ITSM student from Huntingdon, and Brady Knott HVAC/R student from Buchanan.

The gold medal winners were Joey Meeks, HVAC/Refrigeration student from Sharon, for Major Appliance and Refrigeration Technology; Tanner Townes, Machine Tool Dual Enrollment Student of McKenzie for CNC Turning Specialist, High School Division; and Nathan Kyle, Machine Tool student of Martin for CNC Technician. The gold medalists will go on to compete in the National SkillsUSA competition in June. 

TCAT-McKenzie Machine Tool instructor, Zak Crider was awarded the Tennessee Postsecondary Advisor of the Year for his dedicated service to TCAT McKenzie and SkillsUSA. SkillsUSA State Directors Association created the Advisor of the Year award to recognize and honor dedicated career and technical education instructors who serve as SkillsUSA advisors. 

SkillsUSA is a national organization serving teachers, high school, and college students who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health occupations. SkillsUSA programs include local, state and national competitions in which students demonstrate occupational and leadership skills. At the annual national-level Skills USA Championships, over 6,000 students competed in 100 occupational and leadership skill areas.

TCAT-McKenzie associates congratulate all the winners and thank all the participants.

TCAT-McKenzie offers programs in 8 areas. They are Automotive Technology, Administrative Office Technology, Information Technology Systems Management, HVAC/Refrigeration Technology, Major Appliance Repair, Industrial Maintenance Integrated Automation Technology, Machine Tool Technology, and Welding Technology with a welding campus in Dresden. For more information call 731-352-5364.

TCAT, McKenzie, State, Tennessee