WCCS ACE Competition Inspires Excellence Among Local High School Students

SELMA (March 20, 2025) — Wallace Community College Selma (WCCS) reaffirms its commitment to promoting academic and technical excellence among high school students through the annual Academic Challenge for Excellence (ACE). This year's ACE Competition took place on Friday, March 14, 2025, and welcomed over 300 students from 26 high schools within the college’s service area.

The ACE Competition encourages academic achievement by providing rigorous student challenges and recognizing outstanding performances among students, teachers, and schools. Participants competed in various categories, including English, mathematics, natural sciences, social studies, public speaking, computer science, and technical fields such as cosmetology, drafting, welding, industrial maintenance, health occupations, and entrepreneurship.

Winners were awarded trophies, plaques, medallions, and ACE T-shirts. First-place winners in technical competitions also qualified for scholarship opportunities at WCCS.

Notable winners from the 2025 competition include:

Demopolis High School — Multiple winners in Information Technology, English Grammar, Algebra II, and Public Speaking.

Selma High School — Top placements in Keyboarding, English Composition, Geometry, and Natural Sciences.

John T. Morgan Academy — Outstanding performances in Algebra II, Advanced Math, Social Studies, and Business Plan competitions. Morgan Academy also won the prestigious ACE Bowl, which was awarded to the school with the highest overall wins.

Dallas County High School and Dallas County Career Tech Center — Strong performances in Cosmetology, Health Occupations, and Music categories.

Keith High School — Winners in Brick Laying and TIG-MIG Welding competitions.

Participating Schools were: Bibb County Career Academy, Dallas County High School, Dallas County Career Technology Center, Demopolis High School, Ellwood Christian Academy, Francis Marion High School, Hale County College & Career Academy, Hooper Academy, Isabella High School, Johnson Abernathy Graetz (JAG) High School, John T. Morgan Academy, Keith Middle High School, Lowndes County Career Technical Center, Robert C. Hatch High School, Selma High School, Southside High School, Sumter Central High School, Wilcox Academy, and Wilcox Central High School.

Dr. James M. Mitchell, President of WCCS, expressed his pride in the event: "The ACE Competition is more than just a challenge; it is a celebration of the talent, hard work, and dedication of students and educators across our region. We are honored to host this annual event that inspires students to strive for excellence and explore future opportunities.”

The ACE Competition continues to serve as a powerful incentive for academic and technical achievement, encouraging students to push beyond the ordinary and be recognized for their talents and accomplishments.
 

First Place Winners - ACE 2025 Competition

Information Technology
- Team: Graison Carroll, Ronald Vaughn, Alberto Galvan (Demopolis High School)
- Individual: Graison Carroll (Demopolis High School)

Keyboarding I
- Wesley Ransom III (Selma High School)

Keyboarding II
- Rachel O’Bryant (Wilcox Academy)

Bookkeeping/Accounting
- Madisyn Evans (Wilcox Academy)

English Grammar
- Emery Wideman (Demopolis High School)

English Composition
- Rodney Thomas II (Selma High School)

Cosmetology/Hair (Thermal Curl Design)
- Quinniya Walker (Dallas County High School)

Cosmetology/Hair (Long Hair Design-Updo)
- Azariah Miles (Johnson Abernathy Graetz - JAG)

Cosmetology/Esthetics
- Joi’niya Davis (Johnson Abernathy Graetz - JAG)

Drafting: Mechanical Drawing
- Zhya Marshall (Ellwood Christian Academy)

Drafting: Engineering Drawing
- Makayla Smiley (Dallas County High School)

Algebra I
- Team: Jake Ryder Sosa, Dana Bringas, Stella Traywick (Isabella High School)
- Individual: Aaliyah Jupiter (Dallas County High School)

Algebra II
- Team: Lawson Boone, Johan Juoto, Noel Mata (Demopolis High School)
- Individual: Parker Hewston (Morgan Academy)

Geometry
- Individual: Autumn Tabb (Selma High School)
- Team: Dallas Moore, Cassidy Peal, Desmond Reese (Morgan Academy)

Advanced Math
- Individual: Mary Frazer (Morgan Academy)
- Team: Mary Frazer, Rhett Thomas, Cade Henderson (Morgan Academy)

Commercial Industrial Wiring
- Bryant Scott (Bibb County High School)

Health Occupations Skills
- Kiva Hester (Dallas County Career Technology Center)

Health Occupations Knowledge Bowl
- Team: Cassidy Lewis, Quendasia Moorer, Adyn Weatherly (Dallas County Career Technology Center)

Music - Clarinet
- Makayla King (Dallas County High School)
- Emmanuel Thomas (Southside High School)

Music – Flute
- Emma Cobb (Dallas County High School)

Music – Trombone
- Khaliah Shannon (Southside High School)

Natural Sciences - Division I
- Team: Blaine Allen, Marcee Dailey, Andrew Malone (Wilcox Academy)

Natural Sciences - Division II
- Jalhayla Johnson (Selma High School)

Brick Laying
- Jarius Sanders (Keith High School)

Block Laying
- Marquaveon Webb (Selma High School)

Public Speaking
- Lizzie Hathcock (Demopolis High School)

Social Studies - Division I
- Team: Jack Bearden, Leighton Grace Bennett, Martha Ann Beers (Morgan Academy)

Social Studies - Division II
- Team: Maddie Holley, Landon Thomas, Piper Roberts (Demopolis High School)

TIG-MIG Welding
- Jadarius Jones (Keith High School)

Arc Welding
- Haigler Johnson (Calhoun High School)

Business Plan
- Individual: Delaney McHugh (Morgan Academy)
- Team: Delaney McHugh, Casey Yeager, Sarah Moore (Morgan Academy)

 

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WCCS ACE Competition Inspires Excellence Among Local High School Students