The 50^th annual SkillsUSA Championships welcomed more than 16,000 students, teachers, and industry partners, June 24-25 at the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC) and nearby sites during the weeklong 51^st National Leadership and Skills Conference.

The national competition showcases public high school and college/postsecondary students enrolled in career and technical education programs. 

Under the eye of scoring judges, contestants brazed, executed air conditioning troubleshooting techniques, demonstrated refrigerant recovery and recycling skills, performed refrigeration maintenance, evaluated airflow, serviced a gas furnace, and were tested on geothermal equipment.

The 51 participants — 50 male and one female — advanced to the national competition by successfully competing in regional and state SkillsUSA events.

He earned his spot on the Skills-USA WorldTeam by earning the silver medal in the event at the SkillsUSA championships in June 2011, as a senior at Loarin County Joint Vocation School (JVS). A year earlier, Kuhn competed as a junior, winning the Ohio state competition in the HVACR category.