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WHS Student wins Harley-Davidson for School in National SkillsUSA Competition

Jacob Miller won first place in the statewide SkillsUSA competition and went on to place third in the national contest, winning Watauga High a motorcycle. 

Some competitions recognize hard work and accomplishment with trophies and certificates. Others come with badges and ribbons, but for Watauga High School’s Jacob Miller, recognition and reward came in the form of a motorcycle.

After taking home the top prize at the statewide North Carolina SkillsUSA motorcycle competition, Miller went on to net a third place finish in national contest that awarded the top three participants — of 50, one from each state — a brand new Harley-Davidson motorcycle for their school.

Miller’s bike made the trip back from the SkillsUSA competition in Greensboro to Watauga High School where it will now lend invaluable hands-on experience to other WHS auto-tech students.   

Jacob graduated early and has gone on to continue his work at UTI in Mooresville.In addition to the bike, Miller won a $10,000 scholarship to the Universal Technical Institute, a $10,000 scholarship to WyoTech, a $15,000 scholarship to Ohio Technical College, a full scholarship to the Lincoln College of Technology and gift cards to Lowes and Harley Davidson.

Larry Jones, WHS auto-tech teacher said the bike would be a valuable asset for his students.

“We will be using the bike to train other students that might be interested in competing in the SkillsUSA Motorcycle Competition since there is a lot of scholarship money available,” Jones said. “Students don’t necessarily have to use the money they are awarded in competition for motorcycle training, but there are lots of well-paying jobs in the motorcycle repair industry.”

After graduating WHS early, Miller is currently attending the Universal Technical Institute (NASCAR Technical Institute) at Mooresville.