All 19 Macomb Community College students who participated in the 2008 State SkillsUSA competitions in Lansing earned medals, with 11 students winning gold medals and earning the right to advance to the national level of the career skills competition to be held in late June in Kansas City, Mo.

SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization of students, teachers and industry, working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. The association’s annual membership exceeds 284,000 students and instructors in more than 3,700 schools and colleges across the nation. The SkillsUSA chapter at Macomb is open to all students enrolled in an occupational or technical program. In some competitions, students win various prizes and scholarships.

The following students won medals:

Advertising Design

• Justin Lemon, St. Clair Shores, gold
• Alex McQuiston, Center Line, silver
• Jasmine Hollis, Detroit, bronze

Achitectural Drafting

• Ryan Kowalski, Shelby Township, gold
• Melissa Wilson, Romeo, silver
• Nick Albers, Sterling Heights, bronze

Automotive Service Technology

• Justin Gow, Macomb Township, gold
• Frank Mongogna, Warren, silver
• Adam Oatley, Waterford, bronze

Commercial Baking

• Amanda Kohlndorfer, Roseville, gold
• Michael Byrd, Roseville, silver

Culinary Arts

• Kevin Browe, Macomb Township, gold

Food and Beverage Service

• Lauraanne Klebba, St. Clair Shores, gold

Job Skill Demonstration A

• Erik Varga, Sterling Heights, gold

Job Skill Demonstration Open

• Jason Munford, Richmond, gold

Photography

• Kaitlyn Freeman, Sterling Heights, gold
• Chelsea Schneider, Clinton Township, silver

Television Video Production

• Shaina Wudyka, Harrison Township, gold
• Vince Randazzo, Chesterfield Township, gold

The students were accompanied at the state conference by Macomb faculty advisors Ron Hood, Media & Communication Arts; Gary Azbell, Architectural Technology; Dan Prater, Automotive Technology; Jeff Wolf, Culinary Arts; and Bill Soule, Media & Communication Arts.

A total of 101 college students and 977 high school students competed in the various events at the April 18-20 event.

Macomb Community College (www.macomb.edu) is one of the nation’s leading community colleges, providing learning experiences to more than 59,000 students annually.  Macomb nationally ranks in the top two percent in the number of associate degrees awarded and as the largest grantor of associate degrees in Michigan.  The college’s comprehensive educational programming includes pre-collegiate experiences, university transfer and career preparation programs, bachelor degree completion and graduate degree programs, workforce training, professional education and certification, and continuing education and enrichment opportunities.