Manatee Technical College puts skills on display | From the Observer

Manatee Technical College hosted the annual SkillsUSA competition, which featured more than 430 students from nine counties, which include Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Collier and Desoto counties.

Manatee Technical College students won 53 gold, 27 silver and 20 bronze medals.

Students competed in 50 categories, such as carpentry, cabinetmaking, barbering, hair weaving, car repair and a range of others.

“It’s fun and exciting to see students compete,” said Aric Youmans, a cosmetology instructor at Manatee Technical College. “Having judges look over their work and this level of competition will help boost their confidence and ease some of the anxiety of finding a job after they finish school.”

First and second place winners will advance to the state competitions, which will be held April 24 through April 27 in Lakeland.