Tazewell, VA-Students from the Tazewell County Career and Technical Center (TCCTC) demonstrated outstanding performance at the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference held in Virginia Beach, Virginia,on March 9-11, 2026. A total of 27 students competed across multiple career and technical programs. The competitors earned seven first-place finishes and 13 top-three placements, meaning nearly half of all competitors placed in the top three in the state. Six students also qualified to advance to the national level, representing programs such as Mechatronics, Robotics and Automation Technology, Cabinetmaking, and Motorcycle Service Technology.
National Qualifiers (Gold Medalists)
The following students earned first place in their competitions and qualified to attend the national conference:
Eme Corell – Cabinetmaking | Instructor: Shawn Roberts
Riley Butcher – Mechatronics Team A | Instructor: Ryan Lewis
Calvin Dowell – Mechatronics Team A | Instructor: Ryan Lewis
Ethan Leedy – Motorcycle Service Technology | Instructor: Mike Howington
Gabriel Grose – Robotics & Automation Technology B | Instructor: Ryan Lewis
Brady Keen – Robotics & Automation Technology B | Instructor: Ryan Lewis
These students will represent the school at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, June 1–5, 2026.
State Officer Achievement
In addition to the competition results, Lillian Wimmer was elected to the 2026–2027 SkillsUSA State Officer team, becoming the first student from TCCTC in over 20 years to achieve this honor. Wimmer will also attend the National Leadership and Skills Conference that will be held this June in Atlanta, Georgia.
Competition Results
Here is a full breakdown of how all 27 competitors from Tazewell County Career and Technical Center performed at the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference in Virginia Beach, Virginia:
First Place
Daniel Gross – Bricklaying | Instructor: Robert Steele
Eme Corell – Cabinetmaking | Instructor: Shawn Roberts
Riley Butcher – Mechatronics Team A | Instructor: Ryan Lewis
Calvin Dowell – Mechatronics Team A | Instructor: Ryan Lewis
Ethan Leedy – Motorcycle Service Technology | Instructor: Mike Howington
Gabriel Grose – Robotics & Automation Technology B | Instructor: Ryan Lewis
Brady Keen – Robotics & Automation Technology B | Instructor: Ryan Lewis
Second Place
Tobias Smith – Masonry | Instructor: Robert Steele
Hailey Stanford – First Aid/CPR | Instructor: Matt Stiltner
Ryleigh Bryant – Cosmetology | Instructor: Sarah Cooke
Third Place
Isaiah Stanford – Cabinetmaking | Instructor: Shawn Roberts
Hailey Harless – CTE Educator | Instructor: Robert Steele
Sydney Roberts – Barbering | Instructor: Sarah Cooke
Fourth Place
Lillian Wimmer – Job Skill Open | Instructor: Matt Stiltner
Annabella Honaker – Cosmetology | Instructor: Sarah Cooke
Fifth Place
Levi Ruble – Diesel Equipment | Instructor: Reese Corell
Chloe Anders – Esthetics II | Instructor: Sarah Cooke
Krista Ray – Esthetics II Model | Instructor: Annie Hill
Tyler Shortt – Welding | Instructor: Katie Lindsey
Sixth Place
Jillian Crisp – Esthetics I | Instructor: Sarah Cooke
Alexis Woodall – Esthetics I Model | Instructor: Sarah Cooke
Seventh Place
Caleb Hagerman – Diesel Equipment | Instructor: Reese Corell
Eighth Place
Evan Sarver – Diesel Equipment | Instructor: Reese Corell
Logan Boone – Marine Service Technology | Instructor: Mike Howington
Matthew Osborne – Job Skill Demo A | Instructor: James Parnell
Ninth Place
Kylee Akers – Nail Technology II | Instructor: Sarah Cooke
Brooklynn Roberts – Nail Technology II Model | Instructor: Sarah Cooke
These results highlight the strength of Tazewell County Career and Technical Center’s career and technical education programs and reflect the dedication of both students and instructors in preparing skilled, career-ready graduates.
-TCPS-