Tennessee College of Applied Technology student Justen Simmons has won Outstanding Student of the Year in his region.
“It’s phenomenal. I never saw myself being in this position,” said Simmons.
Simmons won the regional Outstanding Student of the Year competition for Middle Tennessee and will advance to state competition in April.
OSY seeks one student from each TCAT in Tennessee, narrowing the field of 30,000 students to 27. On Jan. 17-19, the 27 students competed and Simmons was one of the nine regional finalists. He also received a tablet and a chance to compete at the state level during the April competition.
Simmons is a welding graduate and now working in his career field as he pursues his dream to become an entrepreneur.
“It validates that it is possible to be the best and do the best through someone who has a desire to learn and apply those learned skills,” said TCAT director Dr. Warren Laux. “It depicts his character by his going to work every day and being on time, while working and earning a living he is still learning as he continues to gain knowledge in the field he has studied. Mentors along the journey catapult students like Justen into their dreams and nominating instructor, Raymond Rigsby has played a major role for him.”
TCAT Outstanding Student of the Year coordinator Terri Bryan added, “It has been a privilege for us to help prepare him for this competition. We believe he has what it takes to make it to the end and we couldn’t be more proud of him.” 
The state competition will be held April 10 at UT-Chattanooga’s Mackenzie Arena where Simmons could walk away with the grand prize, a car, while also becoming the Tennessee ambassador for technical education and TCATs.
For more information on technical education, please call Tennessee College of Applied Technology at 473-5587 or visit the website www.tcatmcminnville.edu.