SALISBURY, N.C. – Rowan-Cabarrus Community College students earned national recognition at the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, helping North Carolina claim one of the strongest showings at the country’s premier career and technical education event.
Held June 1-5 in Atlanta, the conference brought together more than 19,000 registrants and 7,000 competitors from across the United States. North Carolina students rose to the occasion, earning 79 national medals, the second-highest total of any state in the nation. Community college students helped lead that achievement, earning 47 of North Carolina’s medals.
Rowan-Cabarrus students contributed to that statewide success with three national bronze medals in two competitions, with additional competitors representing the College on the national stage:
- Damon Ellis and Crystal Rice, bronze medalists, Commercial sUAS Drone
- Grayson Smith, bronze medalist, Masonry
- Angel Montalvo Martinez, fifth place, Sheet Metal
- Sincere Betton, Electrical Construction Wiring
Each Rowan-Cabarrus national competitor earned the opportunity to represent North Carolina after winning first place in their event at the SkillsUSA North Carolina State Conference in April.
Damon Ellis and Crystal Rice earned bronze in Commercial sUAS Drone, bringing home national recognition as a mother-son team and adding an especially meaningful story to the College’s success. Ellis is pursuing an Associate in Applied Science in Business Administration Marketing, while Rice earned an Associate in Applied Science in Construction Management Technology in 2024 and an Associate in Science in 2026.
Grayson Smith earned bronze in Masonry, placing among the top competitors in the nation in a highly skilled trade competition. Smith is pursuing an Associate in Applied Science in Construction Management Technology.
“These students did more than compete. They stepped onto a national stage and proved they belong among the best in the country,” said Rowan-Cabarrus President Dr. Carol S. Spalding. “Their success speaks to their talent, their hard work and the outstanding faculty who prepared them. We celebrate these achievements and the role each student and faculty advisor played in helping both Rowan-Cabarrus and North Carolina demonstrate the power of career and technical education.”
The students were accompanied by SkillsUSA Advisors Jon Crockett, Adam Crow and Christopher Belch. Their guidance and encouragement helped students bring their best to the national stage and showcase the strength of the College’s programs. Vice President of Academic Programs Dr. Michael Quillen, Dean of Technical Programs Dr. Kelli Antonides, and Director of Marketing and Communications Aaron Tallman also attended to support the competitors.
“At Rowan-Cabarrus, students gain hands-on experience with the same expectations, tools and standards they will encounter in the workplace,” said Dr. Quillen. “SkillsUSA gives our students an opportunity to test those abilities against the best in the nation, and their results show that they are ready to lead in high-demand fields.”
SkillsUSA is a partnership of education and industry that helps students develop personal, workplace and technical skills. The national conference includes more than 100 hands-on trade, technical and leadership competitions that align with industry expectations in fields such as welding, drone technology, construction, public safety, health care, advanced manufacturing and more.
“Career and technical education changes lives by connecting talent with opportunity,” Spalding said. “These students remind us of what is possible when education, workforce training and industry support come together to prepare students for successful futures.”
For more information about SkillsUSA at Rowan-Cabarrus, contact SkillsUSA Advisor Jon Crockett at jon.crockett@rccc.edu.
About SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is the #1 workforce development organization for students, empowering them to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members. SkillsUSA represents more than 443,000 career and technical education students and teachers in middle schools, high schools and college/postsecondary institutions nationwide. Those members represent 130 in-demand occupational areas, from 3-D animation to welding. A vital solution to the skills gap, SkillsUSA has served 15.6 million members since its founding in 1965. Learn more at skillsusa.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.