CANTON, Mich. – Two recent graduates of Plymouth-Canton Community Schools (P-CCS) took top prizes at the National SkillsUSA Championship, the nation’s foremost career tech and skilled trades education competition.

Charlie Salowich and Madeleine White were the best in the nation in, respectively, the culinary and fine dining restaurant service categories during the four-day event in Atlanta held recently.

“Charlie and Madeleine pulled out all the stops and put on the show of their lives, and we’re so proud of their achievement,” said Diana Woodward, instructor and coach of hospitality and culinary arts. “Charlie and Madeleine work hard every day, they’re creative and passionate about what they do, and we look forward to watching them continue to grow and succeed.”

To win his gold medal, Salowich prepared a five-hour, five-course meal consisting of an appetizer, soup, two entrées and a dessert. He also completed a written assessment and demonstrated knife and butchery skills. His prize included a full knife set and other cooking equipment, and a full tuition scholarship to both the Culinary Institute of America and Johnson and Wales University. Salowich also received a special award from the Atlanta American Culinary Federation for demonstrating the highest standards of integrity, enthusiasm and attitude. He competed against more than 40 other students in his category.

For her gold medal, White demonstrated exceptional table setting, napkin folding and fine dining service; excelled in a written technical assessment on terminology and best practices; and prepared a Caeser salad tableside. She also won a full tuition scholarship to the Culinary Institute of America, as well as numerous prizes. White competed against more than 20 other students. Before her national-level gold medal, White was also on P-CCS' 2024 state champion management and restaurant design team.

Salowich and White graduated from Canton High School in June and were enrolled in the restaurant operation program. Salowich is also a Career and Technical Education Honor Key recipient, as well as a member of the 2023 ProStart national champion high school culinary team at P-CCS.

“Congratulations to Charlie and Madeleine for their fantastic achievement and for shining on a national stage,” P-CCS Superintendent Dr. Monica L. Merritt said. “We are so glad to see students like Charlie and Madeline and so many others find their passions at P-CCS and excel in doing what they love.”

More than 6,000 students from across the nation competed in around 100 different categories in the skilled trades at the Skills USA Championship. Competitors must demonstrate to judges who are industry experts that they have real-world skills and are ready to join the workforce. The categories represent some of the most highly skilled, in-demand skilled trades areas in the nation.