Gaffney resident Adrian Praytor represented South Carolina at the national Skills USA competition in Kansas City in late June. Praytor finished 19th out of 45 participants in the national heating and air conditioning event. Adrian Praytor ate lots of barbecue and soaked up knowledge about heating and air conditioning in late June during his travels to the Skills USA championships in Kansas City.

Praytor had never flown before his trip to attend the national Skills USA and Leadership Conference June 21-27. He represented South Carolina in the national heating, ventilation and air conditioning finals.

When he wasn't taking tests, Praytor had time to tour the World War I museum and eat barbecue in renowned establishments like the "Three Pigs Barbecue" and Union Station. He traveled to the contest in Kansas City with his Cherokee Technology Center instructor Andy Dunn.

"It was very exciting. This was the first time I had ever been to this part of the country. The farthest I had ever been was Arkansas," Praytor said. "I had a lot of fun meeting kids from other states. I learned a lot of stuff about heating and air conditioning that I didn't know before."

Praytor spent two days during the week competing in the heating and air conditioning contest. It was among 91 Skills USA championships held during the Skills USA conference. The events were held in the H. Roe Bartle Hall and Municipal Auditorium.

Students worked against the clock and each other to demonstrate their expertise.

Contests are run with the help of industry, trade associations and labor organizations to test students' skills in areas set by the industries.

Praytor finished 19th of 45 participants in the national heating and air conditioning finals.

The 8-hour contest had students troubleshoot and look for leaks in a refrigeration system, check air flows on air conditioning systems, demonstrate skills in brazing (welding) and work to solve superheating problems on units.

The Associated Building Contractors of the Carolinas in Charlotte donated $1,500 to help Praytor with his travel expenses to Kansas City. In addition, the professional construction education group gave Praytor a $1,000 scholarship to help him attend Spartanburg Community College this fall.

"Adrian had a wonderful experience in Kansas City," Dunn said. "We are very thankful and appreciative to the Associated Building Contractors for what they did for Adrian to make this trip to Kansas City possible. We are thankful for the interest they have shown in Adrian and the scholarship they have given to help him continue his education."