On February 17th and 18th, students went to Beaumont, Texas, and competed in the SkillsUSA District 7 Competition. This included students from Cosmetology, Culinary, Criminal Justice, and Medical. Many students won and placed for the state competition in Corpus Christi, Texas, from March 31st- April 1st.

SkillsUSA is important to these students because they learn to be responsible, accountable, and diligent. Also, most of their competitions are based on real-world situations, which helps them know the expectations of what they might see after high school.

“I asked my students and they feel it is very important,” Culinary SkillsUSA advisor Marie Cargill said. “One of my students in particular stated that she found a way to get out of her shell and be more social which is necessary in the real world. She also said that she was happy to be able to demonstrate their abilities and show what they are passionate about.”

List of winners:

Culinary:

• 1-2 Tier Commercial Baking – Superior – Nichole Trejo Advanced to state
• Showpiece Commercial Baking – Superior – Ruben Landaverde, James McAllison, Matthew Steichen – Advanced to State
• 3-5 Tier Commercial Baking – Superior – Hana Aoki & Amie Russell – Advanced to state
• 3-5 Tier Commercial Baking – Superior – Jayla Aleman, Gabriela Mondragon & Daisy Aguilar – Advanced to state
• Individual Commercial Baking – Superior – Ashley Diaz-Romero – Advanced to state
• Individual Commercial Baking – Superior – Esmeralda Villagomez – Advanced to state
• Baked Goods Commercial Baking – Superior – Audrey Jones – Advanced to state
• Baked Goods Commercial Baking – Superior – Laura Espino – Advanced to state
• Showpiece Commercial Baking – Superior – Karla Marquez & Nichole Trejo – Advanced to state
• Restaurant Model – Superior – Karla Marquez – Advanced to state
• Culinary Quiz Bowl – 3rd place – Karla Marquez, Nichole Trejo, Sean McFadden, Laura Espino, Hayden Glassman, Ruben Landaverde, Elizabeth Cruz-Rivera
• Entrepreneurship – 1st place – Ashley Diaz-Romero, Hana Escobar, Esmeralda Villagomez – Advanced to state

Cosmetology:

• Action Skills – 3rd place – Lainey Goins
• American Spirit – 1st place – Reina Choate, Lilliana Burke, Bella Graham (Advanced to state)
• Braiding – Adrianah Lindsey (Advanced to state)
• Career Pathways – 1st place – Giuliana Musachio, Jocelyn Chavez, Jazlyn Ojeda (Advanced to state)
• Community Action – 2nd place – Krystal Lacayo, Daisy Hernandez (Advanced to state)
• Day and Evening Style – Daisy Hernandez (Advanced to state)
• Flat Nail Art – Jocelyn Chavez and Ashley Hernandez (Advanced to state)
• Opening and Closing Ceremonies – 1st place – Taelar Anderson, Emma Gilbert, Jaritza Escobar, Reina Choate, Giuliana Musachio, Esmeralda Quiroz, Maria Rodriguez (Advanced to state)
• Prepared Speech – 3rd place -Breanna Brown

Medical:

• Basic Health Care – 3rd place – Allison Venecio
• Career Pathways Health Science CNA Team – 1st place – Anton Russ Lapore, Ivy Mogeni, Selina Rivas (Advanced to state)
• Dental Assisting – 1st place – Nancy Reyes (Advanced to state)
• Dental Assisting – 2nd place – Maria Ramirez
• Health Care Skills – 2nd place – Ivy Mogeni
• Health Occupations Professional Portfolio – 2nd place – Maria Ramirez (Advanced to state)
• Medical Terminology – 2nd place – Amy Ajibade (Advanced to state)
• Practical Nursing – 1st place – Anton Russ Lapore (Advanced to state)
• Practical Nursing – 2nd place – Diana Santiago

The advisors and students are very excited about going to state competition in Corpus and they hope to make it to nationals.

“I feel great after the hard work me and my team have put in,” junior and SkillsUSA Criminal Justice competitor Joshua Sanchez said. “We feel very proud about going to state and I think we have a good chance at making it to nationals.”