(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Shawn Couet, an Electromechanical Technology student at Texas State Technical College’s Sweetwater campus, received the silver medal in Electronics Technology at the 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference held June 23-27 in Atlanta, Georgia.
“It was amazing to see that he got second, but I wasn’t surprised,” said Toby Styron, an Electromechanical Technology instructor. “I have watched Shawn come up here in his free time. He always makes sure that his assignments are turned in, he prioritizes his education first, and he would come in and practice. I don’t foresee him being a hand for very long; he’s definitely got leadership qualities.”
Couet said he has always enjoyed working with his hands, be it construction or working on cars. However, he admitted that the original reason he joined TSTC’s Electromechanical Technology program was to get over his fear of working with electronics.
“I kind of threw myself into this program so I could get myself a little more well-rounded and figure it out,” the Kerrville native said. “When I started, I knew nothing about electronics; I was too scared to even think about it. I love it now.”
Couet said Styron began preparing his students for SkillsUSA on the first day of class. He had heard about the competition in high school, but did not become interested in competing until he attended TSTC.
“I was there to have a good time and to challenge myself so I know where I’m at, which is what I wanted to gain out of it,” Couet said.
Couet said he was very happy to receive the silver medal and that the only person who placed above him had already graduated from college six months prior.
“He did well on tests, but when it came to the soldering and stuff you’re doing with your hands, that’s kind of where I did better,” he said.
Couet plans to receive his Associate of Applied Science degree this December. He credits his success at the competition to his instructors, his fellow TSTC competitors, and the opportunity he was given to practice in the lab on his days off.
“The biggest contributing factor was honestly TSTC because I wouldn’t have gone without TSTC,” Couet said.
The Electromechanical Technology program offers an associate degree and two certificates of completion at the Sweetwater campus.
Registration continues for the fall semester at TSTC. For more information, go to tstc.edu.