Academics
Students Compete on the National Stage
RALEIGH, N.C. (June 19, 2023) – Seven Wake Tech students and recent graduates are headed to Atlanta this week to compete on the national stage in the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference and the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Collegiate National Leadership Conference.
The students earned the opportunity after taking top honors in their respective hands-on skills and leadership competitions at the state level this spring. The contests help students excel and prepare them for careers by applying classroom concepts to workforce-simulated competitive environments.
Three Wake Tech students will be competing alongside 6,500 others for gold, silver and bronze medals June 20-22 at SkillsUSA Nationals, the nation's largest showcase of skilled trades:
- Oscar Avina-Rodriguez, an Architectural Technology AAS degree graduate competing in Architectural Drafting
- Julianna Perciballi, a Collision Repair and Finishing Technology AAS degree graduate competing in Automotive Refinishing Technology
- Charles Myatt, an Electronics Engineering Technology AAS degree student competing in Principles of Engineering
In May, Perciballi earned her Associate in Applied Science degree and has been hired as a disassembly and reassembly technician at Carolina Collision in Wake Forest. A female in a male-dominated career field, she said she is excited to continue to hone her painting and detail skills by competing against other technicians in training.
"I enjoy working with my hands, and the competition gives me another chance to practice the skills I've been building at Wake Tech and on the job," she said. "Whether it's in class, shop or competition, this is a chance to do something you are proud of. I want to be able to look at my work and feel good about it."
The winners at the SkillsUSA national competition will be announced on June 23.
Meanwhile, four Wake Tech students who took home awards at the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) state competition will be among the 1,000-plus competing for cash prizes at the FBLA Collegiate Nationals June 22-24:
- Bradley Huntoon, a Network Management AAS degree student competing in Computer Concepts and Networking Concepts
- Paco Rodriguez, an Associate in Arts student competing in Impromptu Speaking
- Chrissty Berry Aracena, a Human Services Technology AAS degree graduate competing in Public Speaking and Sales Presentation
- Camryn Jamison, an Advertising and Graphic Design AAS degree student competing in Website Design and Desktop Publishing
FBLA, formerly Phi Beta Lambda, is the nation's largest business career and technical student organization.
A native of the Dominican Republic, Berry Aracena could speak very little English when she enrolled at Wake Tech five years ago. She overcame her language barrier and earned her associate degree in December, an accomplishment she attributes in part to her involvement with FBLA.
In the Public Speaking competition, she plans to deliver a speech about equitable access to education, a topic she's passionate about. Competing against native-English-speaking students challenges her to step outside of her comfort zone.
"I was very nervous, and I did not think I stood a chance at the state FBLA competition, but the judges told me afterward that I set the bar high with my speech," she said. "That made me feel so great because I was afraid the judges were not going to understand me and my pronunciation. It's been a difficult journey, but I have improved my English so much, and FBLA has helped me tremendously with my confidence."
"I'm looking forward to meeting new people in Atlanta and increase my network of peers and mentors," she added. "I believe you learn something from every person you meet, and I'm excited about competing and gaining more experience and confidence."
The FBLA competition wraps up with an award ceremony on June 25.
