When the McIntosh County Academy (MCA) SkillsUSA team returned from the National Skills and Leadership Conference in Atlanta, they were welcomed back to Darien with a flurry of celebration and a police escort—basically the stars of their own parade—front-page coverage in the hometown newspaper and congratulations from their families and neighbors.
The hype was well-deserved!
Led by teacher Robert Todd, MCA’s team competed against high school students from across the nation to showcase their leadership and career skills. The results? The MCA SkillsUSA chapter was named one of 24 Model of Excellence schools for their work in school, competitions and community service. MCA sent five state champion students to compete nationally. Then-senior Luke Todd was named a National Champion in Marine Service Technology, and several other team members ranked in the top 10 in their competitions.
MCA’s participation at nationals was made possible thanks to Coastal Electric Cooperative members who allow the co-op to round up their electric bills to the next dollar through Operation Round Up. That spare change is donated to the Coastal Electric Cooperative Foundation and invested back into the community by a volunteer board of directors.
The foundation donated $4,000 in February 2024 and $4,000 in January 2025 to help students attend SkillsUSA competitions.
“The hard work and dedication that each of these students have put in to compete and win at the state and national levels is remarkable,” says Coastal Electric Cooperative Executive Assistant and Coastal Electric Cooperative Foundation Coordinator Taylor Lee, who is also a former MCA SkillsUSA competitor herself.
“Furthermore, for MCA to be named a SkillsUSA Model of Excellence school for multiple years is truly amazing. Robert Todd has poured his heart and soul into this program and these young adults, and I have no doubt in my mind that these students will be outstanding members of society in the near future.”