Four Meridian Community College students brought home silver medals at the SkillsUSA Competition held in Kansas City, Mo.

SkillsUSA is the national organization for students in trade, industrial, technical and health occupations education. It sponsors the SkillsUSA Championships annually to recognize the achievements of career and technical education students and to encourage them to strive for excellence and pride in their chosen occupations. More than 4,700 outstanding career and technical education students joined in the competition in 84 different trade, technical and leadership skills.

Andrew Poole of Emelle, Ala., Frank Floyd of Braxton, Frankie Shoemaker of Hickory and Trinity Welch of Harrisville were members of the second place winning Team Works.

Team Works requires teams of four to build a joint project in two days, demonstrating their preparation for employment in residential construction. Team members must: analyze a project drawing; write an action plan and give a presentation (in which each member is required to have an active part); and demonstrate their ability to work as a team performing skills in residential carpentry, plumbing, electricity and masonry. They are also judged on cleanliness of jobsite, timeliness of completing the project and proper ordering and inventory of tools and equipment.

Other winners from MCC were Carl Boone of Meridian, architectural drafting, 13th place; Chris Roberts of Meridian, related technical math, eighth place; and David Harris of Enterprise, sheet metal, fifth place.

“We were very pleased with how our students represented Mississippi and Meridian Community College,” said Olin Thomas, an adviser for MCC’s chapter of SkillsUSA. Other College advisers attending the session were Howie Schiedel, Jerry Humphreys and Wayne Waldrep.