Wallace State Brings Back Medals from National SkillsUSA competition

HANCEVILLE, Ala. — Wallace State Community College students returned from the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference with five silver medals. Held in Atlanta, Georgia, the NLSC is a week-long celebration of the skilled trades and the accomplishments of career-ready leaders from across the United States.

"We are incredibly proud of all of our students who represented Wallace State at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference,” said Justin Barnett, Machine Tool Technology and Computer Numerical Control Instructor at Wallace State Community College. “Earning five silver medals is a remarkable achievement, but just as importantly, all of our student's demonstrated professionalism, respect, and excellence while competing among the nation's best in their respective fields." 

Jordan Mayo of Hayden and Abbigail Love of Locust Fork took home silvers for Mobile Robotics. Cordova’s Katrina Thompson and Hanceville’s Zachary Hudson received silver medals for Commercial Drone Technology. Britney Spears of Cullman also brought home a silver for Customer Service.

“Watching our students compete against the best in the nation is a reminder of the talent and determination we have at Wallace State. Their achievements at the SkillsUSA National Conference are a testament to the countless hours they invested in developing their skills and preparing for competition,” said Jerry Murcks, Jr., Dean of Applied Technologies. “We are extremely proud of their accomplishments and the way they represented our college.”

Wallace State students won more than 40 medals at the Alabama SkillsUSA competition held in April, bringing home 16 gold medals, 17 silver and 10 bronze medals. 

For more information, visit www.wallacestate.edu, call Lion Central at 256.352.8236 or come by the Hanceville or Oneonta campus centers. Current and incoming students may schedule an advising session with the Center for Student Success at www.wallacestate.edu/advising. 

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About Wallace State

Wallace State Community College (Ala.), a member of the Alabama Community College System, is a comprehensive community college in north central Alabama offering more than 200 options in academic, health and technical programs of study leading to an associate degree, certificate or transfer, as well as workforce-credit training and adult education. An Achieving the Dream Leader College, nationally recognized by the Aspen Institute as a Rising Star for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, ranked by Southern Business and Development among the Top 3 institutions in the South for workforce development, named a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing and the National Security Administration, rated the Top Online Community College in Alabama, a Military Friendly Institution and an All-Steinway School, Wallace State is an outstanding place for students to pursue their education and career goals. Classes are offered online and on campus, day, evening and on weekends, with numerous start dates each year. Visit Wallace State’s beautiful main campus located on 300-acres in Hanceville, Ala., our satellite location in downtown Oneonta, Ala., find us online at www.wallacestate.edu, or call 256.352.8000.