Owensboro Community and Technical College

OCTC Announces Winners of 2026 Trade Wars: Manufacturing & Professional Skills Competitions

by Bernie Hale

Owensboro, KY (03/31/2026) — Owensboro Community & Technical College (OCTC) proudly hosted its second annual Trade Wars: Manufacturing & Professional Skills competition, bringing together more than 100 high school students from across the region to showcase their technical expertise, creativity, and career-ready skills.

The event, held on OCTC's Main Campus, highlighted a wide range of in-demand career pathways and provided students with the opportunity to compete in real-world, hands-on challenges aligned with industry standards.

"Trade Wars is an incredible opportunity for students to experience the excitement of hands-on learning while exploring high-demand career pathways," said Dr. Scott Williams, President of OCTC. "We are proud to partner with our regional schools and industry leaders to create meaningful experiences that inspire students, build confidence, and connect them to rewarding futures right here in our community."

2026 Manufacturing & Professional Skills Competitions Winners:

Air Conditioning Technology: Jacob Aud, Trinity High School

Criminal Justice - Speed Competition: Issac Hernandez, Trinity High School, Accuracy Competition: Braxton Archie, Owensboro Innovation Academy

Computerized Manufacturing & Machining - Timed Competition: Eli Smith, Ohio County ATC, Best in Show: Taylor Stearsman, Ohio County ATC, Second Place, Best in Show: Savannah Bellamy, Owensboro Innovation Academy

Industrial Maintenance Technology - Hydraulic Circuit: Jessie Marcum, Owensboro Innovation Academy, Fluid Power Circuit: Ridley Cecil, Owensboro Innovation Academy

Mathematics - First Place (Tie): Max Wells and Nolan Tines, both from Owensboro Innovation Academy

Visual Arts - Speed Painting: Emily Burden, Owensboro Innovation Academy

World of Welding Championship - GMAW: Bailee Rogier, Breckenridge County Area Technology Center, SMAW: Brody Anderson, Ohio County ATC

Electrical Technology - Breaker Termination: Zach Watson, Ohio County ATC, GFCI Receptacle Termination: JoJo Smith, Ohio County ATC, Residential Lighting & Wiring: Daniel Singleton, Ohio County ATC

Professional Skills Informative Speaking: Lillian Simon St. Benedict's Home Academy; Second Place: Macie Carroway, McLean County High School

Poetry: Madeline Myer, Daviess County High School

Persuasive Speaking: Madeline Myer, Daviess County High School

Automotive Technology: Benji Edds, Owensboro Innovation Academy, Second place- Max Hamilton, Owensboro Innovation Academy

Diesel Technology: Camden Nicely, Ohio County ATC

Owensboro Innovation Academy's Stacy Pedley was recognized for her support of Trade Wars, registering more than 50 students in this year's events for Manufacturing, Skilled Trades, and Professional Skills.

Students competed for the title of 2026 Trade Wars Champion, earning medals, career-related prizes, and championship banners for their schools. The event continues to grow as a premier regional showcase for technical education, connecting students with high-demand career pathways and local industry partners.

Participating School Partners included, Breckenridge County ATC, Breckenridge County High School, Cloverport Independent Schools, Daviess County High School, McLean County High School, the Ohio County ATC, Ohio County High School, Owensboro High School, the ROCK Homeschool, Homeschool, St. Benedicts Home Academy, Trinity High School and the school with the largest number of participants was Owensboro Innovation Academy.

OCTC extends its sincere appreciation to the sponsors whose generous support makes Trade Wars possible and allows students to participate at no cost. Special thanks to Presenting Sponsor IBEW-NECA Electrical Training Alliance, T-Shirt Sponsor JATC, and Technical Programs Sponsor Four Seasons Heating & Cooling, Inc. Their investment in workforce development helps create meaningful, hands-on experiences that inspire the next generation of skilled professionals.

Registration is underway for the Healthcare Careers session on April 17.

To register, please visit https://owensboro.kctcs.edu/tradewars/. For additional questions or to be sent the waiver for participants, please email Bernie.Hale@kctcs.edu.

Owensboro Community & Technical College is one of the sixteen community and technical colleges that make up the Kentucky Community & Technical College System. OCTC serves the KY counties of Daviess, Hancock, Ohio and McLean. OCTC has three campuses in Daviess County and a Center and Annex in Hancock County. OCTC strives to serve the communities in the service area by providing associate degree education for transfer, state of the art technical education for students focusing on entering the workforce, customized business and industry solutions through the Workforce Solutions division, and adult education and business and industry testing through the SkillTrain unit.

The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is the Commonwealth's largest postsecondary institution with 16 colleges and more than 70 campuses. We also are Kentucky's largest provider of workforce training and online education. Through partnerships with business and industry, we align our programs to meet the needs of local employers. We help students fulfill their dreams of creating a better life through programs that lead directly to jobs or help them transfer to one of our four-year partners.

Connect with OCTC: Owensboro.kctcs | Facebook.com/owensboroctc | Twitter@OCTC_Tweets | Instagram OwensboroCTC

Media Attachments

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Industrial Maintenance Technology - Hydraulic Circuit: Jessie Marcum, Owensboro Innovation Academy, Fluid Power Circuit: Ridley Cecil, Owensboro Innovation Academy