From a Backup Plan to the National Finals, Emery Bench and HCTC Shine in Atlanta. Carrie Jones Jun 11, 2026 SOUTHWEST HARBOR, ELLSWORTH, AND ATLANTA—When Emery Bench returned home from Atlanta after competing at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, he was proud of his fourth-place national finish, but he admitted there was something he had missed during the week away. “My cats,” Bench … Continue reading MDI Junior Finishes Fourth in Nation at SkillsUSA Championships.