Conyers’ own Rockdale Career Academy proudly represented the state of Georgia at the 2011 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference last week in Kansas City, Missouri.

RCA had more top 10 finalists in separate competitions than any other school in the state.

Twelve RCA students competed at the national level and placed in the top 10 in four of the six competitions they participated in. Jason Gellman and Arsenio Archer placed sixth in Audio/Radio Production;  Shavonn Bennette, Michael Bodine, Matison Lakstigala, and Karley Wilson earned 12th place in Broadcast News Production; Mandy Dinsmoor placed in ninth for State Pin Design; Camryn Bradley and Chase Sickler won eighth  place in Video Product Development, and Devin McPherson and Mark Cisco got 23rd in Television (Video) Production. Amanda Moreno was awarded the  Silver Medal (2nd place) for Prepared Speech – the first ever SkillsUSA National Medal ever earned for the school.

“Personally I was a little nervous before the competition, but not really during the actual competition,” says Michael Bodine, who competed in Broadcast News Production. “I believe I did the best I could do, what more could you ask for?”

Although most of the competitors this year are graduating seniors and won’t be returning next year, RCA SkillsUSA President-elect Karley Wilson said she has big plans for the chapter next year and hopes to have just as many people attending Nationals as there were this year.