Left to right, pictured are Jake Lau, Chef Craig Rodrigue, Chef Karen Cannan, Annie Yamamoto
Students at Truckee Meadows Community College have been awarded eight medals at the 2016 SkillsUSA Nevada State Leadership & Skills Conference, which took place April 12-15 at Circus Circus Reno Hotel & Casino.
“Chef Craig and I are so proud of the entire culinary team,” said Chef Karen Cannan. “Our talented and dedicated students took home gold, silver and bronze medals. Six medals combined were awarded to our team in culinary and baking competitions.”
TMCC Culinary Arts students winning medals at the SkillsUSA Nevada are:
- David Cruz Camacho: Culinary Arts — Bronze
- Sarah Anstett: Commercial Baking — Bronze
- Annie Yamamoto: Commercial Baking — Gold
- Brittney Birmingham: Commercial Baking — Silver
- Jake Lau: Culinary Arts — Gold
- Johnathan Munoz-Valdez: Culinary Arts — Silver
“At this point in time, we have three TMCC students who have won gold medals and have qualified to attend the national conference in June,” said Jim New, Dean, Technical Sciences. “Two in Culinary Arts and Baking, and one student has won a gold in Automotive Service.”
Students winning in Technical Science categories are:
- Erick Reyes-Lopez: Welding — Silver Medal
- Grant Wager: Automotive Service Technology — Gold Medal
SkillsUSA prepares students in skilled and technical careers
The SkillsUSA organization is comprised of students, teachers and industry representatives, including more than 300,000 members annually. It is focused on preparing students for careers in technical, service, and skilled occupations, including the health field. Leadership and community service are promoted alongside career training. Local, state and national competitions are centered on career proficiencies and leadership abilities.
Chef Cannan added that the latest awards add to a growing list of national accomplishments by TMCC students.
“Our Culinary Program is blessed to have a total of four national medals in the last nine years: two gold, one silver, one bronze, and several top ten finishes,” she said.
For more information about the Culinary Arts program, please call 775-674-7917. For Automotive Technology, Precision Machining Technology or Welding, the phone number is 775-856-5300.