Three St. Clair County Technical Education Center (TEC) students recently represented their school and the community at the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
The annual conference, held at the Georgia World Congress Center, brings together the nation’s top career and technical education students to compete in skilled trades, technical, and leadership events.
Representing TEC at this year’s national competition were:
Rori Cowhy, Welding student from Yale High School, who competed in Welding Sculpture
Michael Carrier, Metal Machining student from Marysville High School, who competed in the CNC 5-Axis Milling
Blake Duvall, Metal Machining student from Yale High School, who competed in the CNC 2-Axis Turning
Each student earned the opportunity to compete at the national level through outstanding performance and dedication to their craft.
“Qualifying for the national competition is an achievement in itself,” said Lesley Murphy, TEC Principal/CTE Director. “These students dedicated countless hours to developing their technical skills and preparing for the competition. We are incredibly proud of the professionalism, perseverance, and talent they demonstrated while representing TEC, their home schools, and St. Clair County on the national stage.”
TEC also congratulates and recognizes former Metal Machining Technology student Lucas Bauman, now attending St. Clair County Community College, who competed in the post-secondary division of the CNC 5-Axis Milling competition. Lucas earned an impressive ninth-place finish in the nation.
“Opportunities like SkillsUSA allow students to apply their learning in real-world settings while competing alongside some of the most talented students in the country,” Murphy said. “Their participation reflects the high-quality career and technical education experiences available through TEC.”
TEC instructors Duane Emig, Metal Machining Instructor, and Becca Robertson, Welding Instructor, served as advisors, traveling with students, and providing guidance, encouragement, and technical expertise throughout their preparation and participation in the national event.
Students and staff dedicated countless hours to preparing for SkillsUSA, demonstrating the value of career and technical education in developing workplace-ready skills and real-world experience.