Blue Ridge Community College Students Compete at SkillsUSA National Competition

Featured photo: Scenes from the SkillsUSA National Competition. Top photo includes students Kareem Abdellatif, Kedric Lemaster, and Rodney Hayes outside the convention center in Atlanta. Photo by Adam Riddle.

Marketing & Communications Dept.

In early June, three Blue Ridge Community College students competed at the SkillsUSA National Competition in Atlanta, Georgia. Kareem Abdellatif, Kedric Lemaster, and Rodney Hayes joined thousands of students from across the country in what SkillsUSA called a “week-long celebration of the skilled trades and the accomplishments of career-ready leaders.”

Automotive and transportation instructor Adam Riddle said the students began the week with meetings, orientation sessions, Automotive Service Excellence testing, and interviews. The hands-on portion of the competition was held on Thursday, June 4, and lasted nearly 10 hours.

“All three students represented Blue Ridge exceptionally well, and we are very proud of their hard work, professionalism, and dedication,” Riddle said.

Abdellatif took 6th place in Collision Damage Appraisal (Post-Secondary). Lemaster placed 17th in Automotive Service Technology (Post-Secondary), and Hayes placed 17th in Automotive Service Technology (High School).

Dr. Monica Carpenter, vice president for economic and workforce development and continuing education at Blue Ridge, extended a special thanks to instructors and congratulated the students.

“Kedric, Rodney, and Kareem represented Blue Ridge exceptionally well, and we could not be prouder,” Dr. Carpenter said. “Thank you to Brian Foster, Eric Stephens, Adam Riddle, and the entire Transportation Technology team for investing so much in our students.”

Learn more about automotive and transportation programs at www.blueridge.edu/automotive.