Alamance Community College student Carmen Clippinger, a student in the Graphic Design program, won a gold medal for her first place finish at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta this weekend.
Clippinger won the national title for her T-shirt Design entry, which previously took the top spot at the North Carolina state event last spring.
(Above) Carmen Clippinger shows off her first place tee-shirt design in Atlanta.
Also competing from Alamance Community College (ACC) was Spencer Stewart, competing in Pin Design. Following his first place win at the state level competition, he finished in Atlanta with a fourth place result, just shy of a top three finish.
(Above) ACC graphic design student Spencer Stewart with his pin design.
Clippinger and Stewart, both residents of Efland, NC, earned the right to compete in Atlanta as a result of their respective performances in the post-secondary division at the SkillsUSA NC State Leadership & Skills Conference in Greensboro.
The SkillsUSA national conference was held June 23-28 at the Georgia World Congress Center, and brought students from across the U.S. The North Carolina delegation was composed of over 500 middle, high school and post-secondary students and advisors from across the state.
SkillsUSA design contests are not part of ACC’s Graphic Design department’s curriculum. Students choose to participate on an extracurricular basis. While department instructors provide their advice and guidance, all designs, displays and presentations are completed by students on their own time.
“This was our department's fourth year competing in the state competition and the third time it had won at least one statewide contest,” said Erik Perel, Graphic Design Department Head and instructor. “Now we have our second national championship winner, our first since 2022. Both Carmen and Spencer gave up a week of their own time this summer to participate in this competition. We are proud of their commitment to improving their skills and being ambassadors for ACC.”
