Several Baldwin Preparatory Academy students were recognized with Skill Point Certificates during the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, held June 1-5 in Atlanta.

The certificates were presented to competitors who met a predetermined threshold score in their respective SkillsUSA Championships events, recognizing career readiness and proficiency. Recipients can include the certificates in their employment portfolios.

A record 7,000 students competed in the 2026 SkillsUSA Championships, the largest gathering of the future skilled workforce.

Local Skill Point Certificate recipients included:

Team M — Tanner Minchew, Gunner Ernst and Laken Moebes of Baldwin Preparatory Academy in Loxley, recognized in American Spirit.

Team W — Braxton Powell, Leila Powell and Taylor Coleman of Baldwin Preparatory Academy in Loxley, recognized in Chapter Display.

Team P — Naomi Marshall, Shelby Semmes, Penelope Gigliotti and Avery Matthews of Baldwin Preparatory Academy in Loxley, recognized in Entrepreneurship.

James Castillo of Stapleton, a student at Baldwin Preparatory Academy in Loxley, recognized in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.

To qualify for the national championships, students first had to win their state-level competitions, demonstrating technical, workplace and personal skills.

The national event brought together state champions from middle school, high school and college/postsecondary divisions to compete in 115 hands-on career and leadership contests. Competition categories included robotics, automotive technology, drafting, criminal justice, aviation maintenance and public speaking.

"This showcase of career and technical education demonstrates SkillsUSA at its finest," said SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis. "Our students, instructors and industry partners work together to ensure that every student excels."

The SkillsUSA Championships is the world's largest skill competition, spanning 1.79 million square feet, the equivalent of 31 football fields or 41 acres. The event was supported by leaders from 850 businesses, corporations, trade associations and unions who helped plan the competitions and evaluate students using industry standards. More than 2,000 industry judges and technical committee members also volunteered during the event.

The next SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference is scheduled for June 21-25, 2027, in Atlanta. More information is available at www.skillsusa.org.