Volunteer State Community College students delivered an outstanding performance at this year’s SkillsUSA Tennessee State Leadership and Skills Conference, bringing home a record-setting seven awards, the most ever earned by Vol State in a single year at the competition.
SkillsUSA provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate technical mastery, professionalism, and real-world workplace skills tied directly to their fields of study. Much like the SOAR Awards, which recognize outstanding student achievement across Tennessee’s community colleges and TCATs, SkillsUSA celebrates excellence, preparation, and career readiness at the state and national levels.
Among this year’s top honorees, Yoshi Gutierrez and Layah Garton earned gold medals in their respective competitions and will advance to the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, set for June in Atlanta, Georgia. There, they will compete against top students from across the country, representing both Vol State and Tennessee on the national stage.
This year’s award recipients include:
- Yoshi Gutierrez – Gold, Computer Programming
- Luc Tran – Silver, Computer Programming
- Claudia Dos Santos De Sa – Silver, Internetworking (CCNA)
- Rustin Franklin – Bronze, Internetworking (CCNA)
- Layah Garton – Gold, Criminal Justice
- Olivia Vesey – Silver, Criminal Justice
- Meleena Otero – Bronze, Criminal Justice
These achievements highlight the strength of Vol State’s academic and technical programs and the commitment of faculty to preparing students for successful careers. Whether through SkillsUSA competitions or recognition at events like the SOAR Awards, Vol State students continue to demonstrate the knowledge, skill, and determination that set them apart.
Congratulations to all of the SkillsUSA competitors for representing Vol State with excellence and best of luck to Yoshi and Layah as they prepare for nationals!
Way to go, Pioneers!
