May 29, 2007

CONTACT: Luke Brymer, Communications and Marketing Wallace State
Community College, luke.brymer@wallacestate.edu, 256/352-8231



Wallace State Students Advance to National SkillsUSA Competition



HANCEVILLE, Ala.- Two students from Wallace State Community College have
earned spots in the Skills USA National Leadership and Skills Conference
in Kansas City, Mo. next month.



Andrew George of Eva, a sophomore electronic technology student, and
Derek Winfrey of Geraldine, a sophomore welding student, joined a group
of students from Wallace State-Hanceville's Welding, Electronics,
Cosmetology and Auto Body programs competing in the Alabama SkillsUSA
contest in Montgomery recently.



SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving more than 280,000
teachers, high school students and college students who are preparing
for careers in technical and skilled service occupations.



Winfrey's first place in the state welding competition came in his event
debut.



"I'm very excited about the opportunity to compete at the national
level," said Winfrey.

"This has been a great experience."



Winfrey began his welding education in high school and enjoyed it from
the start. "From the first time I struck an arc I loved it. It's a
challenging, rewarding field with a lot of opportunity."



He will be required introduce himself and his college before judges at
National Skills USA during the oral part of the competition, which will
also require him to explain his choice of program, and why he joined
Skills USA. Two written tests and a skills test will follow.



Andrew George, who finished first in the Electronic Applications
competition, will be competing with Winfrey there. George finished in
second place in the state event last year. He began competing in
SkillsUSA in high school.



"This is my fifth year to compete. I'm thrilled with finishing first at
state. I can't wait to go to nationals," he said.



Jessica Barfield, a freshman from Cullman, won second place in the state
Cosmetology-Job Interview contest. Alan McCoy, a sophomore from
Blountsville, took second place in Welding. Dustin Hampton, a sophomore
from Cullman finished in third place in the Electronics-Computer
Maintenance Technology contest.



Rome Rodgers, a sophomore from Cullman, and Travis Klosinski, a
sophomore from Somerville, represented Wallace State well in the Auto
Body competition.



The National Leadership and Skills Conference, scheduled for June 24-29,
will feature 80 occupational and leadership skill areas with more than
4,600 students participating. Wallace State welding instructor Jim
Thompson will accompany Winfrey and George to the national competition.



For more information about Wallace State, visit www.wallacestate.edu.



Wallace State Alabama Skills USA participants and their instructors pictured L-R: Front row -
Derrick Winfrey of Geraldine, Alan McCoy of Blountsville, Dustin Hampton of Electronics,
Andrew George of Eva, Jessica Barfield of Cullman, and Wallace State cosmetology instructor
Tracy Smith. Back row - Wallace State welding instructor Jim Thompson, electronics instructor
Joe Hendrix, Travis Klosinski of Somerville, Rome Rodgers of Cullman, and Auto Body
instructor Tim Grace.

  Kristen Holmes
  Director, Communications and Marketing
  Wallace State Community College
  P.O. Box 2000
  Hanceville, AL 35077
  256/352-8118
  E-mail: Kristen.Holmes@WallaceState.edu