ELIZABETHTON â It is quite a gratifying experience for a teacher when one of his or her students receives a high honor. Toni Campbell, cosmetology instructor at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Elizabethton, had that experience this past week when one of her students, Kenlee Blake Hall, won the gold medal in the National SkillsUSA competition on June 24. Hallhad alreadywon the gold medal in state competition earlier.
Both teacher and student were unavailable for comment on Friday as Hall was at the beach on a much deserved break and her teacher was taking care of personal matters prior to starting another session this week. The following information was provided by the school prior to the announcement of the winner of the national competition:
Washington Countyâs elected government and education leaders were told Thursday the regionâs workforce has not seen the type of growth that is being experienced in other parts of Tennessee.
Jon Smith, who heads East Tennessee State Universityâs Bureau of Businesses and Economic Research, said the labor market in Johnson City and Kingsport has been declining for nearly a decade.
âOur region has been left out of the explosive gains that have been seen in Knoxville, Nashville and other parts of the state,â Smith told County Commissioners and county Board of Education members at a joint workshop held at the Jonesborough Visitors Center.