Central Educational Center’s (CEC) SkillsUSA team participated in The SkillsUSA Championships held in Kansas City, Missouri. Four GA Gold Medalists from CEC attended the conference from June 20-24, 2011, as part of the SkillsUSA 47th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC). Team members participating from CEC were Ryan Evans, Jacob Jennings, Justin Kaufman, and Rebekah Rhinehart. Each SkillsUSA Championships contestant is a state-level gold medalist.
CEC’s 3D Visualization and Animation team consisting of Ryan Evans and Jacob Jennings placed second in the nation. They received silver medals, approximately $1,400 worth of computer equipment, and scholarships to the Art Institute. Rebekah Rhinehart placed fifth in the nation in the Preschool Teaching Assistant Competition. Justin Kaufman participated in the Computer Maintenance Technology contest.
The SkillsUSA Championships is the national-level competition for public high school and college/postsecondary technical students enrolled in career and technical education programs. SkillsUSA organizes this event, and it is considered the single greatest day of industry volunteerism in America every year at an estimated cost of more than $35 million.
Begun in 1967, the SkillsUSA Championships has grown from 54 competitors in three contests to more than 5,500 competitors in 94 hands-on skill and leadership contests this year. SkillsUSA adds contests to the SkillsUSA Championships to meet the demands of new and expanding occupations. SkillsUSA affiliated instructional programs represent 130 different occupational areas. The competition show room floor encompasses more than 16 football field’s worth of space.
Technical committees consisting of representatives from each specific industry design the contest to test the skills needed for successful entry-level employment in the given field. Contests consist of two parts: a written exam of knowledge about the subject area and a demonstration of the application of that knowledge. The 3D Visualization and Animation team was given the task of producing high quality images and an animated short subject using 3D computerized images. The production was accomplished with time constraints using their production skills, technical knowledge, and creative abilities that include visual development and storyboarding. The contestants were able to interface and receive feedback from judges who are successful industry leaders representing Autodesk, Inc. MA, Autodesk, Inc. CA, and 3Dconnexion CA.
The Preschool Teaching Assistant contest was judged based on written knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice, lesson planning writing, and demonstration of teaching the lesson to a targeted age group. The Computer Maintenance Technology contest included administration of the A+ Computer Certification Exam as well as the ability to repair and maintain systems found on laptop and desktop computers and their components; maintenance of networks, printers and scanners; security; and safety and environmental issues.
For the third year in a row, Georgia ranked 4th in the nation in medallion count, only behind Florida, Texas, and Massachusetts. Georgia high school competitors brought home 23 medallions and 67 top scorer positions.
Ryan Evans is a 2011 graduate of Northgate High School and will be attending Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta. Jacob Jennings is a 2011 graduate of Newnan High School. He will attend Columbus State University. Rebekah Rhinehart, a 2011 graduate of Newnan High School, will attend the University of West Georgia. Justin Kaufman, a rising senior at East Coweta High School, will participate in CEC’s Work-Based Learning during the 2011-12 school year.
CEC is a charter college and career academy that links local businesses, the Coweta County School System and West Georgia Technical College in a unique partnership. CEC connects East Coweta, Newnan and Northgate High School students with advanced career-tech opportunities, some of which culminate in SkillsUSA competitions. CEC was designed by local community leaders, recently completed its 11th year of operation, and is the “model” upon which Georgia’s Charter College and Career Academy Initiative is based. 23 other communities in Georgia have replicated or are planning to replicate CEC. Other states also have communities which have begun replication efforts. Representatives from 16 other nations have visited CEC to study this Coweta County innovation.
