The Cobb Innovation and Technology Academy (CITA) held its second annual Local Skill Competition. The competition was held to give students in automotive technology and craft trades an opportunity to showcase their talents as students competed in the following:
|  2nd Annual Local Skills Competition |
 Student working on auto engine repair |  Electrical pathway students working on wiring projects |
 HVAC student waiting for judges to inspect the projects |  Welding students prepare of competition |
Although many CITA students get the opportunity to compete in Career Technical Student Organization (CTSO) events, there are some students who do not get that chance, as CTSO competitions often have strict limits on how many students can compete from one school. The Local Skills Competition afforded a larger number of CITA students a chance to compete. It is through the art of each competition that CITA students get the unique chance to grow and learn from business and industry professionals. This year’s competition was supported by the following business and industry partners:
Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association
BMW of South Atlanta
Brasfield & Gorrie
Cleveland Electrical, Mechanical, Technology and Service
C.W. Matthews
Ford Motor Company
General Motors
Georgia Trade School
Hennessy Automotive Companies
Holston Gasses
Home Depot
Inglett & Stubbs Electrical Construction
Jim Ellis Automotive Group
Johnstone Supply
KOS
MaxAir Mechanical
Mayer Electric Supply
Mechanical Trades Institute
McCarhty
NAPA AutoCare Center
Sons Automotive Group
Subaru
It was an intense competition, and the CITA students did an outstanding job. In the end, the judges awarded gift cards, tools and gear, donated by CITA industry partners, to the following winners:
 Automotive Service Technology 1st Nick Briere 2nd Osman Garcia 3rd Adan Corral |  Maintenance and Light Repair 1st Aaron Dowell 2nd Luis Martinez 3rd Valentin Martinez |
 Blueprint Reading 1st Antonio Sanchez 2nd James Vasquez- |  Carpentry 1st Jackson Vicente 2nd Alejandro Garlarza |
 Electrical 1st Gustavo Solares 2nd Jenny Luu 3rd Milagros Lopez |  HVACR 1stMatthew Hatfield 2nd Kim Arias 3rd Najee Abdullah |
 HVACR Dual Enrollment 1st Larry Reyes 2nd Octavio Cisneros 3rd Williams Meza |  Masonry 1st Miles Hosterman |
 Plumbing 1st Saniya Johnson |  Welding 1st Place: Steven Bernal 2nd Place: Joshua Tattershall 3rd Place: Richard Ballesteros-Gamez |
