Featured photo: Kareem Abdellatif, Kedric Lemaster, Rodney Hayes, and Blake Lee pose with their medals in the automotive shop on the Henderson County Campus of Blue Ridge Community College.

Blue Ridge Students Receive High Marks at SkillsUSA State Competition, Three First Place Wins

Published April 24, 2026

Featured photo: Kareem Abdellatif, Kedric Lemaster, Rodney Hayes, and Blake Lee pose with their medals in the automotive shop on the Henderson County Campus of Blue Ridge Community College. Photo by Rich Keen.

Marketing & Communications Dept.

Four Blue Ridge Community College students achieved high marks, including first place in three events, during April’s SkillsUSA state competition. The students competed against other North Carolina students in Collision Damage Appraisal and Automotive Service Technology.

Automotive Systems Technology Instructor Eric Stephens said, “These accomplishments are a testament to the skill, discipline, and professionalism of our students. Their dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence truly reflect the strength of our programs and the support they receive from our faculty and staff.”

The student achievements included:

  • Kareem Abdellatif – First Place, Collision Damage Appraisal (Post-Secondary, College Level)
  • Kedric Lemaster – First Place, Automotive Service Technology (Post-Secondary, College Level)
  • Rodney Hayes – First Place, Automotive Service Technology (Career and College Promise. High School Level)
  • Blake Lee – Fourth Place, Automotive Service Technology (Career and College Promise. High School Level)

Abdellatif, Lemaster, and Hayes will advance to compete at the national level at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference from June 1 through June 5 in Atlanta, Georgia.

“I would also like to extend a sincere congratulations and thank all of our Transportation Technology faculty who played a role in training these students,” Stephens added. “Your dedication, expertise, and commitment to student success are clearly reflected in these outstanding results.”

Stephens said achievements like this highlight the impact of hands-on training, industry-aligned curriculum, and the mentorship our students receive across Blue Ridge’s Transportation programs.

Information about Blue Ridge Community College’s automotive programs is available online at www.blueridge.edu/automotive. High school students benefit from Blue Ridge programs and complete in SkillsUSA competitions through the Career and College Promise dual-enrollment program.