By DAWN BONE / Community Columnist

Twenty students from Shelby County Schools brought home medals in 14 different categories from the annual SkillsUSA Alabama State Championship held April 19-20 at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center.

Students from across the state of Alabama competed in a variety of events including objective tests, role plays and hands-on demonstrations.

The winning students were:

• Andrew Fleming (Chelsea High School), third place, Technical Drafting, Steve Brooks instructor
• Gillian Bryant (Chelsea High School), third place, Architectural Drafting, Steve Brooks instructor
• Dante Britting (CCC), third place, Automotive Technology, Robert Irwin instructor
• Dalton Craig (CCC and Helena High School), first place, Collision Repair, Mark McCary, instructor
• Brandon Lane (CCC), second place, Collision Repair, Mark McCary, instructor
• Nathan Mercer (CCC and Oak Mountain High School), second place, Automotive Refinishing, Mark McCary, instructor
• William Brasher, (CCC and Vincent Middle/High School), Casey Singleton (CCC and Vincent Middle/High School and Michael Ward (CCC), Welding Fabrication, Lynn Miller, instructor
• Zach Able (CCC and Calera High School), first place, Firefighting, Gary Griffith, instructor
• Davey Lawrence (CCC and Calera High School), third place, Firefighting, Gary Griffith, instructor
• Spencer Hollan (CCC and Helena High School), first place, Criminal Justice, Gary Griffith, instructor
• Wesley Lanier, (CCC and Helena High School), third place, Criminal Justice, Gary Griffith, instructor
• Tiffany Byrd (CCC and Shelby County High School), Billy Brooks (CCC) and Chris Hughes (CCC), second place, Crime Scene Investigation, Gary Griffith, instructor
• Libby Ziegler (CCC and Shelby County High School), Lithzi Jimenez (CCC and Montevallo High School) and Jhordana Recarte (CCC), first place, Crime Scene Investigation, Gary Griffith, instructor
• Nicholas Chapple (CCC and Shelby County High School), third place, Customer Service, Van White, instructor

Nine of these students earned a gold medal and will advance to the National SkillsUSA Leadership Conference.

These nine students not only attend their home school, they also attend Shelby County College and Career Center, where they have learned valuable skills that prepare them for the workforce and enabled them to participate in this competition.

The College and Career Center offers 11 different programs to students that attend Shelby County Schools.