Four CHS students earn trips to National Championships in Atlanta, reinforcing Columbia County’s growing reputation as a hub for skilled workforce development.
Columbia County’s investment in career and technical education paid off in a big way last week as Columbia High School’s welding and drone programs dominated the SkillsUSA Florida State Competition in Jacksonville — bringing home a combined three state championships, two runner-up finishes, and two third-place medals.
For the Columbia County Economic Development department, the results represent far more than athletic-style bragging rights. They are a tangible signal to employers, site selectors, and industry partners that Columbia County is actively cultivating the skilled workforce that drives modern manufacturing, aerospace, construction, and advanced technology sectors.
Welding Program Dominates in Second State Appearance
Just one year after making its debut at the state level, the CHS welding program returned to Jacksonville and, in the words of instructor Darryl Thomas, “cleaned house.”
Seniors Mason Dusen and Ruby Chandler each captured gold medals — the first state titles in program history. Dusen won Individual Welding, while Chandler took top honors in Welding Sculpture. Both have qualified for the SkillsUSA National Competition, set for June 1-6 in Atlanta.
Additional medal winners included:
- Zoey Roberts (senior) — 2nd place, Welding Sculpture
- Trace Williams (junior) — 3rd place, Individual Welding
- Welding Fabrication, 2nd place team: Elijah Johnson, Jake Campbell, and Vance Ward
- Welding Fabrication, 3rd place team: Skilyn Brinson-Williams, Bryanna Terry, and Taylor Tollison
“Their skill is unmatched really at the high school level,” Thomas said. “It’s really, really good.”
The pipeline extends well beyond high school. Big Bend Technical College — which won the college division for the fifth consecutive year — did so with a roster stacked with CHS alumni, including state champion individual welder Valin Capen, third-place fabricator Wiley Staats, and state-title team contributors Tyler Moore and Gamble Whitcomb.
That kind of sustained success at both the secondary and postsecondary level is exactly what regional industries need: a reliable, homegrown supply of certified welders ready to step into careers in manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, and construction.
Drone Program Takes Gold in First State Outing
In a program that didn’t even exist a few years ago, CHS juniors Rylan Moses and Kevin Windham captured the state gold medal in drone operations on the program’s first-ever trip to state competition — also earning a place at the national meet in Atlanta.
Their victory came after a bit of real-world problem-solving. When the first CHS team struggled with collision avoidance settings interfering with their drone’s landing, instructor George Jones and his students adapted on the fly.
“The second team went through with it off, and it worked like a champ,” Jones said.
The drone program is a direct result of Columbia County’s strategic embrace of emerging industries. After the School District received its Space Florida Space Academy designation in August 2024, partnerships with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University opened the door to new coursework in aerospace, aviation, advanced manufacturing, and construction.
Today, CHS offers:
- Aerospace Technology — including FAA-aligned drone safety certification that enables students to fly commercially
- Aircraft Design and Technology — a specialized pathway within the district’s advanced manufacturing curriculum
Students graduating from these programs are positioned to enter high-demand careers in commercial real estate imaging, infrastructure and tower inspection, precision agriculture, emergency response, and aerospace — all industries with significant growth projections across North Florida.
What This Means for Columbia County’s Economy
For business leaders and prospective employers considering Columbia County, these results answer a critical question: Is the talent here?
The answer is yes — and the pipeline is strengthening every year.
Columbia High’s SkillsUSA success reflects a broader, coordinated effort across the School District, Big Bend Technical College, Space Florida, Embry-Riddle, and community partners to ensure that students graduate with industry-recognized credentials and competitive, real-world skills. That collaboration is the foundation of a workforce ecosystem that supports existing employers and attracts new investment.
Mason Dusen, Ruby Chandler, Rylan Moses, and Kevin Windham will represent Columbia County on a national stage this June in Atlanta. Whatever the outcome, they have already delivered a powerful message:
Columbia County is building the workforce of the future — right here, right now.
Congratulations to the students, to instructors Darryl Thomas and George Jones, and to every educator, administrator, and industry partner helping make it happen.
