Students across the ESD 112 region competed in the SkillsUSA Washington State Leadership and Skills Conference from March 21 to 23, 2024. Through peer-to-peer competitions, students demonstrated proficiencies in some of the nation’s most in-demand skilled trade areas. Sixteen students from the ESD 112 region will advance to the National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, this June.
Student participation and industry partnerships at the state conference reached an all-time high this year. Over 2,200 students participated in 97 different contests. Contests spanned over 16 career clusters, including health sciences, transportation and logistics, architecture and construction, firefighting, and more.
“We strive to prepare students with the technical, academic, and interpersonal skills they need to be not only great, reliable employees but also skilled ones,” said Karmen Warner, Executive Director of SkillsUSA Washington. “These experiences equip students to set themselves apart from all other applicants. Our goal is for students to be able to walk out of the classroom walls and onto the job site.”
Career and Technical Education (CTE) instructors in classrooms across ESD 112 help to prepare students for the competitions. “It’s rewarding to be able to connect students to industry leaders and instruct students about the skills and leadership needed for the careers they are competing in,” said Nathan Younger, National Board Certified CTE Digital Arts Educator at Heritage High School and SkillsUSA SW Washington Co-Coordinator.
The following students from the ESD 112 region placed in the state competitions and will advance to the National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta, Georgia:
2-D Visualization and Animation: Rory Perger and Ivan Jones Frazee; Camas High School
Career Pathways: Mattie Reudink, Jules Hernandez, and Jazz Sanders; Heritage High School
CNC 3-Axis Milling Programmer: Ariana Paliyev; Cascadia Technical Academy
Community Action Project: Ruby Montoya-Reyes and Jesadia-Jayliana Merino; Vancouver School of Arts & Academics
Computer Maintenance: Diego Bella; Cascadia Technical Academy
Cosmetology: Emily Swigert; Washougal High School and Cascadia Technical Academy
Industrial Motor Control: Derek Suomela; Naselle-Grays River Valley Schools
Information Technology Services: Luna Gensheimer; Cascadia Technical Academy
Interactive Application and Game Design: Sebastian Najar, Isaac Miller, and Luke Twiss; Evergreen High School
Internetworking: Mia Autumn; Cascadia Technical Academy
Job Skills Demonstration: Kaylee Richman; Fort Vancouver High School
Job Interview: Adelaide Waite; Vancouver School of Arts and Academics
Video News Production: Talan Collins, Jacob McManus, Conner Orr, Tyme Sisaknavich; Columbia River High School
Plumbing: Max VanHoomissen; Hudson’s Bay High School
Quiz Bowl: Ruby Montoya-Reyes, Brooklyn Kain, David Senior, Adelaide Waite, Nicholas Campos, Adrian Nelson (Alternate); Vancouver School of Arts and Academics
Welding Fabrication: Brody Nieto, Kent Rohner, Grayson Allen; Prairie HS
Career and Technical Education programs in ESD 112 prepare students with tangible job skills relevant to modern industry standards. These programs emphasize real-world practical learning experiences, preparing high school students for their future career paths. Learn more about Career and Technical Education here.
