Autumn Buck wins SOWELA’s first Screen Printing Award
LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA — SOWELA Technical Community College Digital Arts and Communication student Autumn Buck earned a silver medal in Screen Printing at the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference earlier this month. Her achievement marks a significant milestone for the College as SOWELA’s first national medal in the Screen Printing competition. This was also the first year a SOWELA student competed in the category at the national championships.
“Watching Autumn earn a silver medal was especially rewarding. This was our first year competing in the Screen Printing contest at the national level, so bringing home a medal in our debut appearance is an incredible achievement. She has been a leader for our SkillsUSA chapter, serving as president, winning at the state and national levels, and helping our chapter earn recognition as a Chapter of Excellence. As both her instructor and her father, I couldn’t be prouder,” said SOWELA Digital Arts and Communication Instructor and SkillsUSA Chapter Advisor Darrell Buck.
Held in Atlanta, Ga., Buck and 10 other SOWELA students competed against the nation’s best career and technical education students in nine highly competitive contest categories. Additional SOWELA participants included Sofia Castilla (Advertising Design), Tyler Celestine and Kaine Doman (Audio/Radio Production), Jerrald Deshotel and Hallie Welch (Video Production), Matt Upmeyer (Photography), Lauren May (Baking and Pastry Arts), Daniela Delabat (Technical Drafting), Lawrence Louviere (Architectural Drafting), and Andrew Citizen (Electrical Construction Wiring).
“I couldn’t be more proud of this group,” said SOWELA Digital Arts and Communication Instructor Darrell Buck. “The SkillsUSA National Championships are incredibly challenging. Students spend months preparing and then compete under intense pressure against the best talent from across the country. Our students willingly put in the extra time and effort because they care about their craft and want to be the best they can be. That commitment showed throughout the competition.”
The SkillsUSA Championships is an invitation-only event that brings together state champions from across the country to compete in 115 occupational and leadership contests. Recognized as the world’s largest showcase of career and technical skills, the national competition challenges students to demonstrate their abilities through rigorous, industry-driven projects, judged by professionals in their fields.
Throughout the week, competitors faced demanding challenges designed to replicate real-world industry scenarios. Working under strict deadlines and professional standards, students were required to demonstrate not only technical expertise but also problem-solving skills, creativity, communication and the ability to perform under pressure. Many contests are developed and evaluated by industry leaders, ensuring competitors are measured against current workforce expectations.
The accomplishments of SOWELA’s competitors reflect the College’s commitment to providing students with hands-on training and real-world experiences that prepare them for successful careers. By competing against the nation’s top students, participants gained valuable experience while demonstrating the quality of SOWELA’s education and workforce preparation.
Their success serves as a testament to the dedication of SOWELA students, faculty, and staff and reinforces the College’s mission to develop skilled professionals ready to meet the needs of industry and their communities.
The College is currently enrolling for the Fall 2026 semester with scholarships and financial aid available for those who qualify. For more information about SOWELA and its academic programs, visit www.sowela.edu/apply.