A trio of Pioneers earned medals at the 2026 SkillsUSA National Championships last week in Atlanta, GA. Christian Hall (Massena, NY) and Sean McWilliams (Mexico, NY) earned gold medals while Matthew Goodwin (Barker, NY) claimed a silver medal.
Hall, returned to Nationals after finishing second in 2025, and climbed up to the top spot in the prepared speech competition. Allyson Sullivan (Catawba Valley CC) was second and Connor Threatt (York Technical College) placed third.
McWilliams took the top spot in the commercial roofing competition. He finished ahead of John Prophete (Orange Technical College – West Campus) and Adam Thornton (Central Georgia Technical College).
Goodwin was second in the carpentry category. He finished just behind Deagan Cleveland (Northwood Technical College) and ahead of Brevan Kenney (Eastern Maine CC).
Dylan Eggers (automotive refinishing – Alden, NY), Samual Austin-Hefford (automotive service – Whitney Point, NY), Daniel Vullo (commercial baking – Bloomfield, NY), Levi Peterson (electrical construction wiring – New Paltz, NY), Artemis Inzinna (masonry – Brooktondale, NY), and Jared Lee (welding – Rushville, NY) also competed at the event.
Alfred State President Dr. Steven Mauro, Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Carrie Cokely, Dean of the School of Applied Technology Jeff Stevens, Automotive Trades Instructor Mike Seeley, and Culinary Arts Instructor Rebecca Milliner joined the nine students.
The SkillsUSA Championships is the national culmination of a year-long process that begins in local chapters across the country. Top finishers in the state competitions earn the right to compete nationally at the SkillsUSA Championships each June. Along with gold, silver and bronze medallions, competitors may earn scholarships, tools of the trade, and even job offers right off the competition floor.
The National Championships is one of the largest workforce development events in the world. Held in conjunction with SkillsUSA’s National Leadership & Skills Conference each June, the event features more than 6,800 state champions from across the United States competing head-to-head in 115 skilled and leadership competitions.