For the First Time Ever in the U.S., SOWELA Student Wins Both Pin and T-shirt Design
Lake Charles, Louisiana – Thursday, July 12
SOWELA Technical Community College students showcased their talents at the National SkillsUSA Championships in Atlanta, GA, earlier this summer. This prestigious event is invitation-only and features first-place state medalists across the United States. SOWELA sent nine students to compete in seven competitions, achieving impressive results.
Caitlyn Dionne won the Gold medal in Photography, Madeleine Guillory earned the Silver medal in Advertising Design, and the Pedro Carlucci and Aaron Burleigh team secured the Bronze medal in Television Production. Additionally, Madeleine Guillory received recognition for designing the National Conference Pin and T-shirt. This is the first time a SOWELA student has won and the first time a student has ever won both contests.
SOWELA Digital Arts Instructor and SkillsUSA Advisor Darrell Buck expressed his pride and excitement for the students’ achievements, saying, “I am very proud and excited for our students. Competing at the national level requires a lot of courage and skill, which isn’t easy. Despite the pressure, our students handled it with class. I am thrilled for them and look forward to seeing what they accomplish next.”
During the national competition, students compete against their peers and race against the clock to demonstrate their expertise in their chosen fields. Industry, trade associations and labor organizations support the development of the contests, with competencies set by industry standards. This annual event draws an estimated 15,000 students, teachers and education leaders from across the country, and the competition is fierce.
The success of these students highlights their dedication and skill, underscoring the quality of education and training provided by SOWELA. Their achievements at the SkillsUSA National Championships reflect the College’s commitment to preparing students for career excellence and contributions to the broader community.
For more about SOWELA and its programs, visit Apply or call (337) 421-6550. Scholarships and financial aid are available for those who qualify. SOWELA is currently enrolling for the Fall 2024 semester, and classes begin Monday, August 12.
About SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a vital solution to the growing U.S. skills gap. This nonprofit partnership of students, instructors, and industry ensures America has the skilled workforce it needs to stay competitive. Founded in 1965 and endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education, the association serves more than 300,000 member students and instructors each year in middle schools, high schools, and colleges. This diverse talent pipeline covers 130 trade, technical, and skilled service occupations, the majority STEM-related. More than 600 corporations, trade associations, businesses, and labor unions actively support SkillsUSA at the national level. SkillsUSA programs are integrated into career and technical education through a framework of personal, workplace, and technical skills grounded in academics. Local, state, and national championships, designed and judged by industry, set relevant standards for career and technical education and provide needed recognition to its students. SkillsUSA also offers technical skill assessments and other workplace credentials. For more information, go to www.SkillsUSA.org.
About SOWELA Technical Community College
SOWELA Technical Community College provides traditional, distance, and lifelong learning experiences and awards associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates. The College empowers learners in career and technical education and enables transfer students to pursue a four-year degree, so all learners excel as globally competitive citizens. The College has been educating the region’s workforce for more than 85 years.