MVCTC student advances to national competition

Liam Stewart is already the SkillsUSA Electrical Construction Wiring state champion.

A recent Ringgold graduate made history, ending his high school career on a high note.

Many high school graduates are ready to enjoy a relaxing summer before starting the next chapter of their lives, but Liam Stewart of Finleyville is celebrating after accomplishing something no other student in Mon Valley Career and Technology Center history has ever done.

Before walking across the stage to accept his diploma with his classmates, Stewart became the reigning SkillsUSA Electrical Construction Wiring state champion. Stewart won first place among his peers from the more than 80 career and technology centers across Pennsylvania.

SkillsUSA is the largest career and technical student organization in the nation.

Competitions are held at the district and state levels, leading up to nationals, which will take place June 24-28 in Atlanta. They involve every occupation, including professional skills.

Electrical construction wiring competitors are required to complete a written test with questions formulated from the latest edition of the National Electric Code, along with a practical conduit bending exercise and hands-on installation of a conduit system, cabling system and wiring devices.

Working from drawings and specification sheets, competitors are required to install an electrical system common in most residential and light commercial projects.

Judging is based on general workmanship, accuracy of layout and installation and adherence to the current NEC and standard industry safe practices.

Stewart, a third-year electrical student at MVCTC, crafted his skills and knowledge to excel in the field.

He took first place at the district-level competition in December, which was held at Mon Valley CTC. Then he traveled with a team of his fellow district winners to Hershey for the state competition, where he again took first place.

“I am feeling pretty good about everything,” he said. “The win at states was not expected at all. There was some good competition there and I was not ready to hear my name called first, but it felt great to hear.”

The SkillsUSA Championships is the premier showcase of America’s most highly skilled career and technical education students. It’s also one of the largest hands-on workforce development events in the world.

Held in conjunction with SkillsUSA’s National Leadership & Skills Conference each June, this event features more than 6,000 state champions from across the United States competing head-to-head in 115 skilled and leadership competitions.

The event will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center, which covers over 1.79 million square feet of floor space, the equivalent of 31 football fields.

The competitions are created, overseen and judged by nearly 2,000 industry volunteers, each committed to building the next generation of skilled professionals and career-ready leaders.

“With nationals coming up next week, I am nervous but excited,” he said. “It’s in a new place I have never been with many people I have never met, but I believe it’s a challenge I can handle. I’ve had plenty of time to prepare for it mentally.”

MVCTC Director Neil Henehan said Stewart’s success is an example of the handwork his students have.

“We are wishing the best of luck to Liam and hope he brings back a gold medal to the Mon Valley,” Henehan said.

His parents, Trey and Lynda Stewart, said Liam benefited from his experience at MVCTC.

“We are very excited for this opportunity for him,” his mother said. “My husband is an electrician and my late father-in-law, in addition to being the former band director for Ringgold also did electrical work. Liam really enjoyed the program at MVCTC and is excited to sign on with the union.”

“I wanted to join the union because I believe they offer the best path forward for me and allow me to be successful,” Liam said. “My plan for now is to do my apprenticeship with Local 5 and see where I go with life. I would like to own my own business at some point.”