Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center students proved this summer that they are competitive in their respective trades not only in Missouri, but on a national scale.

 

Eight top students recently vied in the National SkillsUSA Championship in Louisville, Ky., placing as high as in the top five of the country. In addition, outgoing senior Luke Cook earned a $1,000 scholarship from the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, based on an essay.

 

Hailey Garrett placed fifth in cosmetology, Nickalas Richards placed seventh in barbering, Jeramiah Gracia placed 14th in T-shirt design; Cook, Lane and Levi White, and Nick Loyd placed 20th in team works; and Lara Pierce placed 26th in esthetics, with Joselin Clark serving as her model. Building trades instructor Jody Cochran, SkillsUSA advisor, chaperoned the students during the conference.

 

Pictured: (From left) Nick Loyd, Joselin Clark, Lara Pierce, Luke Cook, Lane and Levi White, Nickalas Richards, Jeramiah Gracia and Jody Cochran are pictured during the National Leadership and Skills Conference. Not present for the photo is Hailey Garrett.

Article and photo submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District