SoLAcc students will be showing off their skills at the national SkillsUSA competition for the third summer in a row. Students and staff from SoLAcc recently attended the SkillsUSA Louisiana State Conference in Alexandria and achieved outstanding results, earning medals in every competition they entered.
Students from Louisiana's community and technical colleges who attended the SkillsUSA Conference had the opportunity to display their technical ability, leadership skills, and knowledge over the three-day event, competing in over 50 competitions. Fourteen SoLAcc students competed across 11 categories, sweeping the culinary categories and dominating the nursing and allied healthcare competitions.
The results are as follows:
- Culinary Arts – Katlain Bates (Gold)
- Baking and Pastry – Adrianna Robinson (Gold)
- Restaurant Service – Tyriyonna Charlot (Gold), Aaron Arceneaux (Silver)
- First Aid-CPR – Pauline Welch (Bronze)
- Health Occupations Professional Portfolio – Michele Aymond (Gold)
- Nursing Assistant – Kiesha Wiggins (Silver)
- Medical Assistant – Thea Comeaux (Gold)
- Medical Math – Taylor Boutin (Gold)
- Medical Terminology – Ashley Bertrand (Gold)
- Practical Nursing – Mary Deville (Gold)
"I couldn't be prouder of our students' accomplishments,” said Toni Celestine, SoLAcc Career and Testing Services Director and SkillsUSA College Advisor. “Their dedication, hard work, and passion for excellence are evident in every competition they participate in. It's an honor to witness their growth and success."
Celestine also offered a special thanks to program advisors Jeanette Simmons (Nursing) and Ann Jackson (Culinary) for their commitment to recruiting and preparing SoLAcc students for these competitions.
SoLAcc’s eight gold medalists will advance to compete at the SkillsUSA National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, scheduled for June 23-27, 2025.