BALTIMORE — The SkillsUSA Maryland student delegation received 13 medals during the recent 62nd Annual National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) in Atlanta. A team of 165 Career and Technical Education (CTE) students showcased their skills in 92 competitions against more than 6,800 other students. Overall, 76 Maryland students placed in the top 10 nationally.
Students competing in Career Pathways Business Management and Technology, Occupational Health and Safety, and Sheet Metal received gold medals. Silver medals were awarded to students competing in Community Service, Digital Cinema Production, Firefighting, Nurse Assisting and Photography, and bronze medals were awarded to students competing in Architectural Drafting, Basic Health Care Skills, Facilithon (Facility Maintenance), Health Occupations Professional Portfolio, and Welding.
The SkillsUSA chapters at Center of Applied Technology North (Anne Arundel County Public Schools) and Thomas Edison High School of Technology (Montgomery County Public Schools) received national Models of Excellence honors. Josie Wolfe, Baking and Pastry Arts instructor at the AACPS Center of Applied Technology North, received a national Outstanding Educator Award.
“Maryland’s SkillsUSA students continue to demonstrate exceptional skill, determination, and professionalism,” said Dr. Carey M. Wright, state superintendent of schools. “Their achievements at the national level reflect the strength of our career and technical education programs and the commitment of educators who prepare students for success in high-demand fields.”
The NLSC draws students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. SkillsUSA Maryland has a statewide membership of 5,700 CTE high school students. Members participate throughout the year in a variety of leadership and competitive conferences and events.
The following students placed in the national top 10 in competitions:
Gold Medal
Career Pathways – Business Management and Technology: Jackson DuPee, Tiiu Nomm, and Holly Braughton, Severna Park High School – Anne Arundel County
Occupational Health and Safety – Multiple: Gavin Kidwell, Brody Hydorn, and Angelo Rossi, Carroll Career & Technology Center – Carroll County
Sheet Metal: Joshua Yudt, Frederick Career & Technology Center – Frederick County
Silver Medal
Architectural Drafting: Matthew Lyon, Carroll Career & Technology Center – Carroll County
Basic Health Care Skills: Abigail Eberly, Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center – St. Mary’s County
Facilithon: Jaclyn Ryan, Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center – St. Mary’s County
Health Occupations Professional Portfolio: Julieann Henderson, Carroll Career & Technology Center – Carroll County
Welding: Tanner Shorb, Frederick Career & Technology Center – Frederick County
Bronze Medal
T-Shirt Design: Alexander Schnitzer, Carroll Career & Technology Center – Carroll County
4th Place
Barbering: Johana Munguia-Hernandez, Thomas Edison High School of Technology – Montgomery County
Chapter Display: Valeria Molina, Jordan Preston, Katherine Smith, Frederick Career & Technology Center – Frederick County
Early Childhood Education: Kynzee Sullivan, Boyd J. Michael, III Technical High School – Washington County
Electrical Construction Wiring: Nathaniel Fousek, Allegany Center for Career & Technical Education – Allegany County
Extemporaneous Speaking: Josephine Melchizedek, Thomas Edison High School of Technology – Montgomery County
Nurse Assisting: Peyton Warfel, Carroll Career & Technology Center – Carroll County
5th Place
Career Pathways: Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources: Ryder Pobst, Armirah Gonzales, Abigail Aina, Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center – St. Mary’s County
CNC Programmer: Andrew Hill, Parkside High School CTE – Wicomico County
Dental Assisting: Addison Keen, Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center – St. Mary’s County
Emergency Medical Technician: Trista Christiansen and Christian Often, Carroll Career & Technology Center – Carroll County
Engineering Technology/Design: Rowan Dorsey, Andrew Hitzel, Reeth Kokatnur, Carroll Career & Technology Center – Carroll County
Information Technology Services: Pavel Hilliard, Thomas Edison High School of Technology – Montgomery County
6th Place
Medical Math: Jessica Liu, Worcester Technical High School – Worcester County
Photography: Shelby Baumgardner, Carroll Career & Technology Center – Carroll County
Promotional Bulletin Board: Caylen McCall, Lily DiNello, Patryk Render, Carroll Career & Technology Center – Carroll County
7th Place
Community Action Project: Nina MacRobbie and Parker Carroll, Severna Park High School – Anne Arundel County
Mobile Robotics Technology: Ryan Wang and Nicole Wang, Somerset Technical High School – Somerset County
Occupational Health and Safety – Single: Harper Hastings, Amelia Harper, Kalli Rathel, Worcester Technical High School – Worcester County
8th Place
Career Pathways – Health Science: Henry Le, Catherine Valenzuela, Aubrey Nguy, Thomas Edison High School of Technology – Montgomery County
Crime Scene Investigation: Stevie Schultz, Paige Hale, Na’Imah Epps, Carroll Career & Technology Center – Carroll County
Diesel Equipment Technology: Gabriel Stollings, Cecil School of Technology – Cecil County
Job Skill Demonstration Open: Meagan Agnew, Center of Applied Technology North – Anne Arundel County
Principles of Engineering Technology: Cassandra Thompson, Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center – St. Mary’s County
Robotics: Urban Search and Rescue: Travis Sharar and Meara Emerick, Worcester Technical High School – Worcester County
Technical Computer Applications: Kevin Littlejohn, Center of Applied Technology South – Anne Arundel County
9th Place
Audio Production: Vere Lotmore and Nicholas Hutchison, Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center – St. Mary’s County
Computer Programming: George Eggers, Worcester Technical High School – Worcester County
10th Place
American Spirit: Sophia Leschishin, Kendall Williams, Evelyn Elder, Severna Park High School – Anne Arundel County
Entrepreneurship: Ella Connors, Kysaiah Williams, Cristina Esch, Jack Phillips, Worcester Technical High School – Worcester County
Interactive Application and Video Game Development: Khaleil Pirmohamed and Katelyn Smith, Center of Applied Technology South – Anne Arundel County
Internet of Things (IoT) Smart Home: William Lebby, Thomas Edison High School of Technology – Montgomery County
Prepared Speech: Ethan Hitchens, Parkside High School CTE – Wicomico County
Telecommunications Cabling: Avi Juneja, Thomas Edison High School of Technology – Montgomery County
About SkillsUSA Maryland
SkillsUSA Maryland is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry representatives working together to ensure Maryland has a skilled workforce. Serving more than 5,700 students statewide, SkillsUSA Maryland provides opportunities for leadership development, technical skill attainment, workplace readiness, and community engagement through Career and Technical Education programs.
For more information about SkillsUSA, please contact Chuck Wallace, coordinator of CTE student organizations, Division of College and Career Pathways, Maryland State Department of Education, at charles.wallace@maryland.gov or 410-767-8872.
Additional information can be found on the official SkillsUSA Maryland website.
