SANFORD, N.C. - Four Central Carolina area students recently won honors at the NC SkillsUSA High School Job Skills regional event held at Fayetteville Technical Community College.

William "Gabe" Little, of Sanford, won first place in the Job Skills Demonstration Open category. The competition requires a demonstration performing an occupational skill accompanied by a clear explanation of the topic using experiments, displays or practical operations. This student performed a presentation on an operational procedure for Fanuc Robots.

Little, a student at Lee County High School, is currently an Apprentice in the Caterpillar Apprenticeship Program and is taking Robotic Welding at night with Central Carolina Community College. Charles Bell is his instructor.

Three students - all participants in the Central Carolina Community College Career & College Promise program -- won honors in the Welding Sculpture Competition. They all attend class at CCCC's Siler City Center. Their instructor is Austin Smith.

Sarah Barbour, of Moncure, won first place with her Project Dove. Crozes Crean, of Pittsboro, won second place with his Project Skid Steer. Joseph King, of Pittsboro, won fourth place for his Project Antique Six Shooter.

These four students now advance to the state competition in Greensboro.

Learn more about the Central Carolina Community College Welding Technology program at www.cccc.edu/curriculum/majors/weldingtechnology.