Heartland students excel at state SkillsUSA Elite Career Competition

Seven Heartland Community College students demonstrated their hands-on job skills and earned top finishes at the SkillsUSA Illinois Elite Career Competition.

 SkillsUSA is a national organization for students preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations. Each spring, Illinois' best career and technical education students head to Peoria, IL, to showcase their ability to enter the workforce. Students test their skills in over 100 career competitions in the multi-day conference and competition. 

All students placing in the top three are qualified to represent Illinois at the SkillsUSA National Championship held in Atlanta, Georgia on June 23-27. 

Heartland’s state student award winners are: 

Damon Keister (East Peoria): Gold in Motorcycle Service Technology and Gold in Principles of Engineering Technology

Cami Nowlin (Bloomington): Gold in T-Shirt Design and Bronze in Pin Design

Matthew Marciniak (Carlock) and Nick Mock (Bloomington): Gold in Mechatronics

Zeke Mendez (Normal): Gold in Photography

Tallon Short (Bloomington): Silver in Advertising Design and Bronze in T-Shirt Design

Andy Irving (Bloomington): Silver in Telecommunication Cabling 

Heartland’s SkillsUSA Chapter was also honored at the conference with the Gold Membership Growth Award – for “unparalleled dedication and remarkable contribution to the growth of SkillsUSA Illinois.”