Two NNPS Telecom students earned third-place awards at the SkillsUSA Virginia State Leadership Conference, which was held in Virginia Beach April 21 - 23.

Jolyne Roldan, a senior at Heritage High, placed third in Television Production (Pre-Produced Special Effects). Jacob Trias, a junior at Menchville High, placed third in the State Pin Design (Pre-Judged).

For the Television Production (Pre-Produced Special Effects) competition, competitors submit a commercial, promo, or public service announcement that they have created. It can be either 30- or 60-seconds long, and can be based on real life or can be fictional. Roldan's is a 30-second PSA on recycling.

The pin design competition involves creating artwork of an original design for a pin that conference attendees collect. Additionally, competitors must include a narrative explaining how they came up with the design, how they designed it, and why they feel it represents their state, among other things.

Jacob Trias' State Pin Design

SkillsUSA is a career and technical student organization that Telecom students can join. The goal of SkillsUSA is to ensure that America has a skilled workforce. Students, teachers, and industry work toward that goal, mostly through conferences featuring competitions.

"The SkillsUSA Championships are career competition events showcasing the best career and technical education students in the nation," their website states.

Telecom students have been participating in these conferences for over 20 years. Telecom Supervisor Ray Price and Instructor Carl Daniels Jr. are their sponsors. Daniels accompanied the students to the event.

Attending students were able to see the competitions in a wide range of industries.

"They had a great time and had the opportunity to meet new people from other parts of Virginia," Daniels said.