SkillsUSA contestants from South Effingham and Effingham County high schools had a successful weekend at the State Skills and Leadership Conference in Atlanta, March 18-19.

Christina Hillman of ECHS placed first in Graphic Communications and Becca Burns of SEHS placed first in Photography.  Both will advance to Nationals in June.

Taylor May, Chris Carpenter and Bethany Hayes from ECHS placed second in the Criminal Law Quiz Bowl. Kevin Strickland of SEHS placed third in Plumbing.

Other students from SEHS who competed were: Aerial Strickland and Joni Barr, Nail Care; Hillary Jeffers, Cosmetology; Ryan Bryant, Collision Repair Technology; Allie Gardner, Screen Printing; and Britney Strickland, Mathematical Concepts.

Other students from ECHS who competed were: Hank Campbell, Stephanie Dixon, Kaitlyn Shipes, Criminal Scene Investigation; Nathan Wilson, Criminal Justice;  Dana Brown, Photography; Shelby Jones, Early Childhood Assistant; Je Neki Riggins Hertzfield, Karli Persutti, Patrick Fagin, Kaily Milkulksy, Broadcast News Production; Jeb Register, Drafting and Design; Rae Wright, Graphics.

Aerial Strickland from SEHS was named Region 6 vice president for the 2011-2012 school year.

SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization of students, teachers and industry, working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps high school and college students enrolled in career and technical education programs to excel by teaching employability skills such as communication, problem solving and leadership in conjunction with their trade, technical and service occupations skills.

The association’s annual membership exceeds 304,000 students and instructors in more than 3,700 schools and colleges in every state, three territories and the District of Columbia.

For more information, visit www.skillsusa.org.