Four SkillsUSA members, seniors Nick Reyes, Kyra Giesbrecht, Adison Thomas and sophomore Destiny Neeld, qualified for nationals in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 23-27.
The students represent two state championships–Reyes for criminal justice and Giesbrecht, Thomas and Neeld for promotional bulletin board.
Reyes has been practicing since October.
“We usually start practices once a week in October, then in February we practice every day,” Officer Gavino Carrasco said. “After district we take some time off then back to it.”
Giesbrecht, Thomas, and Neeld produced a bulletin board to promote SkillsUSA as well as a presentation.
“Every day during fourth period we were working on the board and whenever we could,” Giesbrecht said. “We also practiced as much as we could. We practiced on the bus and in the hotel room.”
Neeld was one of the speakers for the project.
“I worked on memorizing my lines,” Neeld said. “I practiced them a lot.”
Giesbrecht said she believes that tying their board to a theme helped them win at state.
“We followed the rules because when we got there, not many people did,” Giesbrecht said. ”We also tied our board into auto tech and the theme, which was sparks.”
Thomas said they put their all into the project.
“I think the judges saw our passion,” Thomas said. “It was more than just a competition, it was our passion. The judges saw that, and I think that is what made it better.”
Reyes, who wants to be a police officer, said he can use what he learned. He competed in five different things–traffic stop, arrest report, oral interpretation, welfare check and partner shot.
“It can prepare me for what I might see when I enter my career pathway,” Reyes said. “It presents me with beginning knowledge.”
The SkillsUSA members have been raising money for nationals.
“We did the concession stand, a car show and went to businesses for donations,” auto tech teacher Tom Spence said. “The car show in the front parking lot on May 17 will help raise funds for nationals as well.”
Thomas said she is relieved that they won.
“It felt really good to win,” Thomas said. “It felt like my hard work finally paid off.”
