Student Success
Students Earn National Honors at SkillsUSA
RALEIGH, N.C. (June 8, 2026) – Wake Tech students once again excelled on a big stage at the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta, with multiple top-five finishes and a fifth straight year of national competition.
The SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference is the nation's largest showcase of career and technical education, bringing together more than 6,800 state champions to compete in hands-on skill and leadership contests.
Wake Tech exceled in multiple categories, demonstrating the strength of the college's workforce training programs.
Among the Wake Tech students recognized were:
- Aloysius Conway, who placed fifth in Electronics Technology
- Caleb Smith and Ian Woodard, who placed fifth in Interactive Application and Video Game Development
- Brian Mburugu, who placed 14th in Collision Repair Technology
Students from Vernon Malone College & Career Academy, a Cooperative Innovative High School partnership with Wake Tech and the Wake County Public School System, also earned national recognition:
- Adam Miller placed third in Collision Repair Technology
- Nylah Connor and Alejandro Armas placed eighth in Interactive Application and Video Game Development
- Isabella Oxendine placed 14th in First Aid/CPR
- Daphne Loureiro-Garcia placed 21st in Job Skill Demo
"All of our students represented Wake Tech exceptionally well," said Gina Beaudry, director of Career and Technical Education Partnership at Wake Tech. "They gained valuable experience, showcased their skills on a national stage and will bring back insights to make our programs even stronger in the future."
Held annually, the weeklong SkillsUSA conference celebrates the skilled trades and prepares students for high-demand careers. The event draws more than 19,000 attendees, including students, educators, industry partners and government leaders from across the country.
