Barbara Cain, a Bladen Community College welding student, placed fourth in a national competition hosted by Skills USA in Kansas City, Missouri.
Skills USA, formerly VICA, is a national organization serving over 200,000 high school, college and professionals who are enrolled in training programs in technical, skilled, and service occupations. Skills USA programs include local, state, and national competitions in which students demonstrate occupational and leadership skills.
Cain competed against 50 other students in the Job Skill Demonstration component of this competition. There were two categories in this division-a 50-question essay test and a 13-minute presentation demonstrating a skill.
According to BCC Welding instructor Edward Dent, "only three percent of the 279,000 members earn the right to compete nationally."
According to Dent, "Barbara had many in-class and out-of-class hours invested in this skills competition.
"Not once did she ever complain when I asked her to give me one more presentation," he said.
The tremendous support and encouragement from my fellow classmates, the BCC faculty, and staff helped me to believe in myself as well as overcome my fear of public speaking," said Cain. "This experience has improved my leadership skills and it has inspired me to pursue teaching and mentoring students."
Cain is the daughter of Fred and Mary Calder. She currently resides in Orrum with her husband, Jim Cain.
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