HICKORY — Catawba Valley Community College said June 10, 2026, that its students earned multiple national honors at the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, held June 1–5 in Atlanta.
CVCC listed three gold medals, two silver medals, two bronze medals, and several top-10 finishes. The college was recognized as a Gold Chapter of Distinction and won the Outstanding Chapter Award in the postsecondary division.
More than 18,000 students, teachers, and education leaders from the United States and its territories took part, with more than 100 technical, skilled-trade, and leadership competitions, CVCC said. The college sent 23 competitors in 16 events.
Gold listed: Outstanding Chapter (postsecondary) — Isabella Donahue, Lucas Miller, and Rebecca Reyes-Mejia; Screen Printing Technology — Dustin Hartley. CVCC also cited national Gold Chapter of Distinction recognition.
Silver listed: Entrepreneurship — Kayden Harrington, Riley Land, Dhyan Patel, and Xavier Springs; Prepared Speech — Allyson Sullivan.
Bronze listed: Photography — Bryn Whitman; Promotional Bulletin Board — Owen Anderson, Isaac Carter, and Anika Martinez.
Top-10 finishes listed: Job Skill Demonstration Open, Braedon Robinson, 5th; Related Technical Math, Christopher Murphy, 5th; Internet of Things, Aidan Stickle, 6th; Marine Service Technology, Isaac Patrick, 6th; T-Shirt Design, Olivia Lee, 7th; Technical Computer Applications, Kelsey Queen, 8th; Advertising Design, Naomi Hernandez-Lozano, 10th.
“SkillsUSA provides students with opportunities to demonstrate not only technical excellence, but also leadership, professionalism, and career readiness,” CVCC President Dr. Garrett Hinshaw said. “These students have represented CVCC, our region, and the state of North Carolina with distinction. Their success reflects countless hours of preparation, the dedication of our faculty and advisors, and the strength of career and technical education at CVCC.”
Tammy Muller, executive director of strategic business partnerships and SkillsUSA at CVCC, said: “Our students continue to prove that they can compete with the very best in the nation. What makes me most proud is watching them grow as leaders, professionals, and confident young adults. These accomplishments are possible because of the commitment of our advisors, faculty, administrators, and industry partners who invest in our students every day.”
Advisors and chaperones named were Hope Carroll, Aden Cranford, Christy Lefevers, Kim Poole, Gary Muller, Tammy Muller, Joe Young, Ramie Robinson, Angela Chatham, Jessica Guyer, Allison Stone, and Rene Spry.
SkillsUSA is described as a national partnership of students, teachers, and industry working on a skilled workforce. The college directed readers to cvcc.edu and listed campus at 2550 US Hwy 70 SE, Hickory, phone 828-327-7000.
The June 10 release does not list prize money or a team ranking beyond the medals and top-10 finishes named.
Official release from Catawba Valley Community College, June 10, 2026. https://cvcc.edu/skills-usa-26/
