During the week of Dec. 8, students demonstrated their knowledge, skills and growth by competing in one of 43 local SkillsUSA competitions held at Thomas Edison High School of Technology. The event recognized 127 students who earned top scores in their respective competitions and advanced to regional and/or state levels. Each of these students was celebrated in front of their peers and received a certificate and pin, designed by senior graphic design student Ivan Gajduko.Â

Several business partners recognized student achievement in special ways. Winners of the Restaurant Services and Culinary Arts competitions received a three-course meal at Mastro’s Steakhouse, along with a behind-the-scenes tour of the restaurant during service. The winner of the Architectural Drafting competition will be recognized by PRO Remodeler at its annual gala in February as the Rising Star recipient.
The success of the week was made possible in large part by our industry partners, who dedicated their time and expertise to judging the student competitions. In total, 81 industry experts served as judges, representing organizations such as Darcars, Adventist HealthCare, the Montgomery County Police Department, Montgomery College, Boland and Daikin HVAC.
Winners from each competition category include:
- Action Skills: Noah Mitchum and Immanuel Meredith
- Architectural Drafting: Nicole Chang, Jose Rodriguez Amaya and Benjamin Burckle
- Auto Maintenance Light Repair: Dylan Goodnough, Kristoffer Juarez Peraza and Maximus Lycorish
- Automotive Service Technology: William Orellana, Myker Portillo Sagastume and Brian Lemus Cedillo
- Barbering: Johana Munguia Hernandez, Sofia Vinson and Brayana NyaÂ
- Basic Health Care Skills: Sydney Ashton, Anya Barrett and Charlotte VieiraÂ
- Career Pathways Showcase – Health Science: Tiago Ferreira, Mymoon Houndito, Hlina Araya, Betanya Belete, Semira Abdellah, Ruth Binyam, Henry Le, Catherine Valenzuela and Aubrey Nguy
- Career Pathways Showcase – Human Services: Marc Boco, Chisom Igwe, Jamie Palacios Mendez, Sandra Sinogo, Setyana Bika and Carolina Valera Ruiz
- Carpentry: Abubeker Yimer, Jackson Rhoads and Joseph Spence
- Cosmetology: Janiyah Johnson, Kayle Rodriguez and Diana SalazarÂ
- Criminal Justice: Alisson Diaz Hernandez, Deborah Mehari and Josue Ramos Chajon
- Customer Service: Alisson Ayala Vasquez, Xavier Molina and Maria Elizabeth Gomez Gamez
- Cybersecurity: Cesare Bonaparte, Christina Quach, Naol Solomon, Alazer Gisaw, Joshua Tilahun and Adel Omer
- Electrical Construction Wiring: Edenilson Perez Ramos, Crystal Ramirez Mendez and Lester Cos Chitay
- Employment Application Process: Tamir Satterwhite
- Esthetics: Yenci Villatoro Pacheco, Jasmine Romero and Jasmine Villegas
- Extemporaneous Speaking: Josephine Melchizedek, Najhelie Romero and Tharaphi HtunÂ
- First Aid & CPR: Emely Sevilla, Sara Hernandez and Trinity PierreÂ
- Health Knowledge Bowl: Luam Kiflom, Mariana Hernandez, Roselyn Garmendez Turcio and Ashley Cruz Miranda
- HVACR: Colin Luedtke, Johnny Soriano and Yitian XieÂ
- Industrial Motor Control: Shane Corkery, Antonio Ghant and Jayden Brewster McCarthyÂ
- IT Service: Pavel Hilliard, Vincent Johnson and Liam ClassenÂ
- Job Interview: Maraki Fekade and Rowen CollinsÂ
- Job Skills Demo: Tracy Do, Asiah Jacobs and Meke NigussieÂ
- Masonry: Hayden Bickel, Alessandro Estrada and Jonathan Uscanga GarciaÂ
- Medical Math: Kamgharida EjioguÂ
- Medical Terminology: Jancy Duran-Escobar, Toan Tran, Nella Barrigah, Maria Silva Roque and Kamisha McDonaldÂ
- Nails: Melissa Romero, Eva Palanzo and Hailey Palma
- Nurse Assisting: Theresa Fornah, Rheanna Abilhomme and Brian TudorÂ
- Pin: Bryan Acevedo, Annabella Melgar and Sara KeÂ
- Prepared Speech: Nicol Morales RochaÂ
- Promotional Bulletin Board: Taylor Simmonds, Diane Mendoza and Valeria ReyesÂ
- Plumbing: Brayan Chavez Acosta, Kevin Mendez Rosales and Chloe LennonÂ
- Culinary Arts: Lara Diaz, Diana Destine and Amilcar Monroy MoralesÂ
- Related Technical Math: Jose Castro, Arman Jamali and Henry Ngo
- Restaurant Service: Selvin Vail Diaz, Genesis Arevalo Oliva and Selvin Perez Mendoza
- Sheet Metal: Antoan Zaprianov, Amari Harris and Ronald Felipe LemusÂ
- Telecommunications Cabling: Avi Juneja, Aedan Glasgow and Fernando RodriguezÂ
- Tshirt: Ivan Gajduko, Joshua DeAraujo and Daixian LiÂ
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