5th Annual SkillsUSA Charity Classic Sets Record
One week after Southeast Community College students returned from their most successful national SkillsUSA competition, our community turned out to support that success. The 5th Annual SCC Educational Foundation SkillsUSA Charity Classic was held Friday, June 12, at Pioneers Park Golf Course. This year’s event was our largest yet, thanks to the incredible support of our sponsors, donors, and participants.
With a sold-out field of 32 teams, the tournament raised a record $29,550.58, topping last year's total of $25,235.50. These funds directly support SCC students in the form of scholarships, competition preparation resources, travel assistance, equipment needs, and registration fees for SkillsUSA state and national competitions. The event not only celebrates community involvement, but also fuels student growth, confidence, and readiness for the workforce.
"The SkillsUSA Charity Classic just gets better every year,” said Michelle Birkel, SCC Educational Foundation director. “The support shown by our sponsors, donors, and participants for SCC students involved in SkillsUSA is incredible. We enjoyed a beautiful day on the golf course celebrating the success of our students. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
More SCC students participated in SkillsUSA competitions in the 2025-2026 academic year than ever before. Nearly 130 students from the Lincoln and Milford campuses and The Career Academy competed at the 2026 SkillsUSA Nebraska State Leadership and Skills Conference in Grand Island. These students spent months studying, practicing, and preparing to compete in their fields of study for a chance to compete on the national stage.
“The dedication our SkillsUSA students demonstrated in competition reflects the experience and education they are receiving at SCC,” said Caleb Herwick, dean of advanced technologies and skilled trades at SCC. “The skills they learned and habits they have adopted will drive their careers forward for years to come.”
SCC students earned 58 medals at the state competition, including 22 gold medals ranging from precision machine technology to commercial roofing to restaurant service. At the SkillsUSA National Leadership Conference in Atlanta, 28 students competed in 17 different competitions, the most SCC has ever sent to nationals. Four students brought home medals, including two gold medals. In addition, SCC students finished in the top 10 in 13 different competitions with students earning Skill Point Certificates in 11 of those categories. A Skill Point Certificate verifies a participant is fully proficient and workplace ready in their specialty.
Emma Uhler took home gold in automotive refinishing, competing alongside her sister, Claire, who placed second in automotive service technology. Corey Sheesley earned gold in information technology service, and Sam Krolikowski became the third SCC student in four years to medal in motorcycle service technology.
“I’ve competed in SkillsUSA both years of college,” said Emma Uhler. “I wanted to represent the school well. This was the first time for both my program and Claire’s to compete at the national conference. I just wanted to show that we do well, and we can go toe-to-toe with any of these other colleges nationwide.”
Results like these don’t happen by accident. SkillsUSA competitions are built to mirror workplace scenarios that provides students with a readiness a classroom can’t replicate. A Skill Point Certificate or national medal can open doors to interviews, apprenticeships, or job offers before graduation.
None of this success is possible without the support of our community. This is the impact the SkillsUSA Charity Classic – every dollar raised on the golf course translates directly to a student’s ability to walk onto that competition floor.
Team results:
- Union Bank & Trust: TJ Hansen, Kirnan Koenig, Matt Clare, Doris Robertson
- HVAC Kings: Mike Roth, Brian Roth, Craig Shaw, T.J. Reynolds
- Cheever: Justin Kurtzer, Ryan Peterson, Brennen Tarziq
This event would not be possible without the generous contributions from our sponsors. Their investment directly removes financial barriers, enhances training opportunities, and elevates SCC’s ability to prepare the next generation of skilled professionals.
We look forward to seeing you again next year. Date too be announced soon.