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Students from Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Morristown recently competed in industry-specific contests at the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference held March 15-18, in Chattanooga.

TCAT – Morristown representatives returned with more baggage than they had when they arrived. A total of 20 medals were earned including eight gold, five silver, and seven bronze medals.

Gold metals were earned by Schaun Carter for Aviation Maintenance Technology; Craig Cook for Engineering Technology-Design; Noah Lindsey for Sheet Metal; William Loftis for Internetworking; Matthew Mincey for Telecommunications Cabling; Joshua Murphy for Engineering Technology-Design; Samuel Nichols for Engineering Technology-Design; and Andres Torres for Relelated Technical Math.

Silver medals were awarded to Jody Bussiere for Sheet Metal; Jacob French for Internet of Things – Smart Home; Peyton Raines for Heating, Ventilation, A/C and Refrigeration; Jesse-Ray Stone for Collision Damage Appraisal and Daylon Talley for Job Skills Demonstration.

Bronze metals were earned by Dustin Davis for Heating, Ventilation A/C and Refrigeration; Jeremiah Kennison, Jr. for Internet of Things – Smart Home; Hunter Lowery for Plumbing; Kelly Milligan for Mechatronics; Madison Mullins for Technical Computer Applications; Jeffrey Roberts for Mechatronics and Reynaldo Vences Roman for Sheet Metal.

During the State SkillsUSA competition, students worked against the clock and each other, proving their expertise in occupations such as electronics, computer-aided drafting, precision machining, medical assisting and culinary arts. All contests are run with the help of industry, trade associations, and labor organizations; testing competencies are set by industry.

David Gulley, TCAT Morristown’s Testing Coordinator and Lead SkillsUSA Advisor stated, “These contestants competed in 24 different competitions throughout the week showcasing skills and knowledge learned in their respective programs. We will be taking the eight gold medal winners to the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference June 1–5 in Atlanta, Georgia, at the Georgia World Congress Center. Furthermore, many thanks to everyone involved in making this a successful and memorable competition, especially our students and instructors for their hard work and dedication.”

The top student winners received gold, silver, and bronze medallions. Many also received prizes such as tools of their trade and scholarships to further their careers and education.

The Tennessee championships event is for high school and college-level students who are members of SkillsUSA.

SkillsUSA is a nonprofit partnership of education and industry founded in 1965 to strengthen the nation’s skilled workforce.

Driven by employer demand, SkillsUSA helps students develop necessary personal and workplace skills along with technical skills grounded in academics. This SkillsUSA Framework empowers every student to succeed at work and in life while helping to close the skills gap in which millions of skilled trade positions go unfilled.

Through SkillsUSA’s Championships program and curricula, employers have long ensured schools are teaching relevant skills.