Two from SCHS at national SkillsUSA
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After winning state competitions at the Tennessee SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Conference in March, Barrett Ogrodowczyk and Kylie Shell represented Sequatchie County High School at the national event in Atlanta earlier this month.
Shell is a rising senior at SCHS and plans to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, and later become a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).
“I had an amazing opportunity to travel to Atlanta to compete at the national level,” said Shell, participating in Medical Terminology. “Before the trip, I completed a skills development assessment test, and while attending the event at the Georgia World Congress Center, I took a 200-question Medical Terminology examination with a two-hour time limit.”
The exam covered a wide range of topics, including medical prefixes, suffixes, root words, and disease pathology.
“While the test was difficult,” Shell continued, “I felt well prepared thanks to the amazing teachers and support provided by the SCHS Nursing Pathway. Their dedication and preparation through their classes helped me confidently answer a ton of the complex questions presented throughout the exam.”
While in Atlanta, the students and their families had the opportunity to experience the city and enjoy some of its restaurants.
“One of the most interesting sights was seeing the self-driving Waymo vehicles operating throughout the city, although they seemed to have some difficulty navigating construction zones,” Shell said. “We stayed at the historic Candler Hotel, a beautiful building originally constructed in 1906 by Asa Griggs Candler, founder of Coca-Cola.”
Shell added, “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to attend nationals and represent SCHS,” recognizing the Sequatchie County School Board and a number of instructors and school staff.
“Their generous support helped make this experience possible for Barrett and me,” she said. “We truly appreciate the time, effort, and financial support that you invested in helping us pursue our goals for our future.”
“I am drawn to this CRNA career because it allows me to care for people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives,” Shell said. “When a patient is facing surgery, they are often scared, uncertain, and placing their trust in a team of healthcare professionals. As a CRNA, I would have the opportunity to provide comfort, reassurance, and safe care when they need it most. Knowing that my knowledge, attention to detail, and compassion could help someone through a difficult experience of their life and to contribute to a healthier future for them is what motivates me. Making a positive difference in the lives of others is not just a career goal, it is my purpose.”
Ogrodowczyk is a 2026 graduate of SCHS and plans to attend Tennessee Tech in Cookeville, earn a business degree and make firefighting his career. He was a member of the Class of 2026 Top 10 and competed in football for the Indians on the line, among other activities.
Ogrodowczyk finished first in the state in Chattanooga in Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair. Like Shell, he explained his national competition was tough but rewarding.
“It was a very professional and competitive environment that was designed to be very challenging,” he said. “The stations were widely ranged in different automotive subjects such as electrical, HVAC, suspension, coolant, brakes, wheels and tires, and more.”
The opening ceremony for the national event was held at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, which was filled with students, family members, instructors, and SkillsUSA staff. The keynote speaker was IndyCar champion Josef Newgarden. With over 19,000 attendees, the week-long event was held at the Georgia World Congress Center.
The state competition has a local connection, as Kate Sanders serves as the Tennessee State SkillsUSA director. A Dunlap native, she taught at Sequatchie County High School before moving to Nashville to work for the State Board of Education.