Every year it seems that Polk County students who work with metal keep coming up with the gold.

This past spring was no exception, and another local student came up with state championship for SkillsUSA’s competition in Sheet Metal for 2020. Holder, who won the title as a junior is now a senior at Cedartown High School.

Assistant Superintendent and College and Career Academy CEO Katie Thomas explained that Holder and other SkillsUSA teammates from Polk School District had just gotten to Atlanta for the annual state competition in March when COVID-19 forced the cancellation of their events and everyone had to go home. Fortunately, they were able to leave behind the projects they submitted as part of the event, and Holder’s was judged the best.

The win is the 20th the College and Career Academy’s welding program at Cedartown High School has won under the direction of instructor Matt Hayden, a run that has continued since 2006.

Holder is the son of Jay and Kim Holder. Along with his metalworking skills, Holder is also the drum major for the Cedartown High School Marching Band.