GISH Students Earn Recognition at State SkillsUSA Competition

GRAND ISLAND (Neb.) — In fielding a large team of student competitors, Grand Island Senior High’s (GISH) commitment to Career & Technical Education (CTE) was on full display at the Nebraska State SkillsUSA competition earlier this month. 

With over 50 students competing this year, the Islanders maintained their strong tradition of representation at the State event.  14 students earned medals across eight categories overall.  The annual showcase and well-earned hardware highlight the significance of GISH CTE programs and their role in fostering college, career, and community readiness.

SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization. Per the SkillsUSA Nebraska website, It is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce.  Focusing on a mission committed to CTE, SkillsUSA empowers students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders, and responsible community members. SkillsUSA improves the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the development of personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics.

Through the Academies of Grand Island Senior High, students have opportunities to gain work-based opportunities through a wide variety of CTE-focused pathways.  Within the Academy of Medical Sciences & Education, the Academy of Engineering & Technology, and the Academy of Technical Sciences – hundreds of Islander students are empowered through Career & Technical Education.

The GISH SkillsUSA chapter continues to grow each year.  Culminating in the annual state competition, the opportunity feels like a “home match” for our students as Grand Island hosts the annual competitive showcase at the Heartland Events Center at Fonner Park.

For GISH, the emphasis on student participation in SkillsUSA fits like a hand in a welding glove.

Students from across the state compete in over 100 career and technical competitions including architecture & construction, arts, audio/video technology, business management & administration, education, health science, public safety, hospitality & tourism, leadership, manufacturing, science, technology, engineering & math, information technology, and more. Each year the state competition highlights students who have worked throughout the year improving their skills and exploring their future careers in the technical trades.

The state championships showcase the best career and technical students in Nebraska.

For the 50+ competing Islanders, the annual state competition is a source of pride both for educators and students.  Reflecting on the success of the program, Mr. D.W. Holley, GISH Principal of the Academy of Technical Sciences, affirmed the student opportunities.  

“We had a large group of students, which was a great indication as to how our number of students involved in SkillsUSA are growing.” Holley said. “But what was even better is the number of Juniors and Sophomores who participated this year.   The future looks very bright.  They are not only talented, but they are also just good human beings.  They love to compete and support their teammates.” 

Congratulations to the GISH SkillsUSA State Medalists!

Max Mendez - 2nd Place, Medical Assisting 
David Diaz Hinojosa & Will Woods - 2nd Place, Mobile Robotics Technology 
Edgar Ramirez & Zurisadai Gomez Cotom - 2nd Place, Commercial sUAS
Alexia Nunez, Isabel Corona Rodriguez, & Katherin Xicara Aramos - 2nd Place, Engineering Technology 
Theo Merchant - 2nd Place, CNC3 Axis Milling Programming  
Abraham Cardoza & Daniela Garcia - 2nd Place, Additive Manufacturing 
Callie Taylor, Jon Helzer, & Holden Wemhoff - 3rd Place, Automated Manufacturing Technology
Alexia Nunez - 3rd Place, Architectural Blueprint Reading
Isaac Ramon - 3rd Place, CNC3 Axis Milling Programming