Carbon Career & Technical Institute's star SkillsUSA students came back from June's national competition in Kentucky bearing gold, cash and prizes in addition to the recognition for their top-rate performances for the fourth year in a row.

SkillsUSA adviser and CCTI teacher Kevin Kuehner escorted students Derbe Stroup, Jackson Ring and Zackary Klotz to the 53rd annual competition in Louisville from June 19-23.More than 6,000 students convened at the National Leadership and Skills Conference to compete in over 100 events by showcasing their talents."These three students not only represented CCTI, but also the state of Pennsylvania," Kuehner said. "SkillsUSA takes all of the technical schools in the United States, and the students compete to be number one in the country."Stroup, a junior from the Palmerton Area School District, landed the gold medal in the CNC Turning category, marking him as the top competitor in the nation. Along with the medal and recognition, Stroup received more than $6,000 in cash and tools.Ring, also a junior from the Palmerton Area School District, took sixth place in the CNC Technician category, along with $1,000 in cash and tools.Klotz, a junior from the Lehighton Area School District, landed 11th place in the Plumbing competition, and received more than $500 in tools."The scholarships, the prizes and the prize money these kids are getting is unbelievable. The instructors get gray hairs, but it's all worth it," Kuehner said.Both Stroup and Ring were educated in Precision Machining by Kuehner, with Brian Wirth instructing Klotz on HVAC.Kuehner also pointed out that he was able to see one of his former students competing in the competition as well, as SkillsUSA allows secondary education students to participate.Kuehner's leadership skills are certainly part of the winning formula, as his Precision Machining students have managed to snap gold and bronze medals at the national competition over the past three years."One thing I love about it is that I'm just teaching these kids about what I learned in the industry, and it must be working," Kuehner said. "It feels terrific, especially since I graduated from the school. It's a really good feeling."