Forty high school and college-level career and technical education (CTE) students from across Idaho qualified for the 2021 SkillsUSA National Championships. Of the qualifiers, 17 students finished in the top nine for their competition, and eight students placed in the top three.

“This year’s accomplishments prove that even in a virtual year, our members are empowered to succeed, no matter the format or obstacles placed in front of them,” said Daniel Kelly, state manager for SkillsUSA Idaho.

The 57th annual competition, held virtually June 21-24, showcased CTE students from across the country competing in trade, technical and leadership events. During the competition, students worked against the clock and each other, proving their expertise in occupations such as electronics, computer-aided drafting, precision machining, medical assisting and culinary arts using testing competencies set by industry.

All contests were run by SkillsUSA, a nonprofit partnership of education and industry founded in 1965 to strengthen America’s skilled workforce. Driven by employer demand, SkillsUSA helps students develop necessary personal, workplace, and technical skills grounded in academics. Statewide, SkillsUSA Idaho has 898 student members representing 25 chapters. Members have consistently demonstrated their expertise and professionalism while participating throughout the year in various leadership and competitive conferences.

“I’m really proud of how our advisors and students stuck with it through a challenging year while continuing Idaho’s legacy of leadership at the national level,” said Chet Andes, state director for SkillsUSA Idaho.

In addition to receiving gold, silver and bronze medals, many top students also received prizes such as tools and scholarships to further their careers and education.

The following students finished the 2021 state conference with outstanding accomplishments:

Gold medals:

• Ashleigh Anderson, Automotive Refinishing Technology, North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene
• Carter Meyers, Automotive Service Technology, Idaho Falls High School, Idaho Falls
• Christian Soulsby, Internetworking, Dennis Technical Education Center, Boise

Silver medal:

• Brett Williams, Diesel Equipment Technology, Cassia Regional Technical Center, Burley

Bronze medals:

• Logan Farley, Collision Repair Technology, North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene
• Maxwell Fisher, Information Technology Services, Dennis Technical Education Center, Boise
• Spencer McConnell and Gavin Prasch, Cyber Security, Dennis Technical Education Center, Boise

Finalists:

• Alyssa Doering, T-Shirt Design, Meridian Technical Charter High School, Meridian
• Brooklyn Grant, Computer Programming, Meridian Technical Charter High School, Meridian
• Richard Huber, Automotive Refinishing Technology, Kootenai Technical Education Campus, Rathdrum
• Audrey Norris and Mason Tolley, Interactive Application and Video Game Design, Meridian Technical Charter High School, Meridian
• Hayden Reed, Telecommunications Cabling, Dennis Technical Education Center, Boise
• Ransom Robertson, Collision Repair Technology, Kootenai Technical Education Campus, Rathdrum
• John Saccomando, Technical Computer Applications, Meridian Technical Charter High School, Meridian
• Sean Varie, Electronics Technology, Meridian Technical Charter High School, Meridian