HVACR Student Places First
Published: Monday, March 17, 2025Johnston Community College Student Places First in SkillsUSA State Competition
Johnston Community College (JCC) is thrilled to announce that HVACR student Nicholas Stewart has won first place in the North Carolina post-secondary SkillsUSA competition. His victory secures him a spot at the National SkillsUSA Championship in Atlanta, Georgia this summer.
This achievement marks a significant milestone for JCC. The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVACR) team competed in SkillsUSA in 2023 and did not place, but used the experience to hone their skills. In 2024, the team placed third and fifth.
Stewart, who competed with the 2024 team told his instructors, “I am coming back next year and winning this for me, the instructors, and the college.” In 2025, he did just that.
"Bringing JCC back into SkillsUSA has been an incredible journey," says Instructor Wayne Hardin.
"When we first competed, we focused on learning the process. Since then, we’ve steadily improved, now securing a first-place state winner. It’s incredible and we are so proud of all our students," Hardin adds.
This year’s competition, hosted at Guilford Technical Community College, saw a record
number of 48 competitors. JCC’s team was comprised of students Jacob Carroll, Caylan
Hixon, Josiah Moore, Enrique Rodriguez, and Nicholas Stewart. They were led by Instructors
Michael Gregory, Wayne Hardin, and Isai Sevilla.
“We could not be prouder of Nicholas, and the entire HVACR team. This is a huge deal for these students and JCC,” says President Dr. Vern L. Lindquist.
Learn more about JCC’s HVACR program at johnstoncc.edu.