Edgecombe Student Wins Bronze Medal at SkillsUSA Nationals

Payden Kiser (left), a rising junior at the Edgecombe Early College High School and a student at Edgecombe Community College, was awarded a bronze medal at the national SkillsUSA conference held June 20-24.

Congratulations to Payden Kiser, a rising junior at the Edgecombe Early College High School and a student at Edgecombe Community College, who brought home a bronze medal from the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference held June 20-24 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Kiser placed third in the Principles of Engineering Technology Competition. He placed first in Principles of Engineering (High School – Edgecombe Early College) at the North Carolina SkillsUSA competition in April. Students who finish first in select events at the state competition are eligible to compete at the national level.

Kiser was accompanied to Atlanta by SkillsECC advisors Rebecca Stamilio-Ehret and Trey Cherry, who are ECC instructors, and Dr. Johnica Ellis-Kiser, program chair of Business Administration at ECC and Kiser’s mother.

The highlight of the conference was the SkillsUSA Championships, during which approximately 5,200 student contestants participated in more than 100 different hands-on skill and leadership contests.

North Carolina was well represented in the SkillsUSA Championships, earning a total of 64 medallions (third highest total medal count in the nation). Students earned 24 gold, 9 silver, and 31 bronze medallions.

“We are so proud of Payden and his outstanding success,” says ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod. “At such a young age, he is already a champion in his dedication to hard work and achievement.”

“We also are indebted to our SkillsECC advisors who go to great lengths every year to make sure that our students are well prepared and ready to compete,” he adds.