PHOENIX - Northland Pioneer College (NPC), students studying in career and technical education fields won thirteen medals during the SkillsUSA Arizona state competition on April 11 and 12, 2023, in Phoenix. Five students won gold medals and will advance to the national championship competition in Atlanta, GA., June 19-24.
Cosmetology student Sierra Hernandez, a Winslow student pursuing an associate of applied science (AAS) degree, qualified for nationals in two events, cosmetology, and job interview.
Tate Lewis, of Holbrook, also earned multiple medals, placing first in carpentry and second in the job skills competition. Lewis is working toward an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree from NPC. Another state champion, Ashley Sisco, is an AAS student at NPC’s Holbrook campus and will advance to the national competition after winning a gold medal in welding.
Layla Cisco and Adriann Gardner are enrolled in NPC’s cosmetology program and earned gold medals in the job skills competition earning them a place at nationals. Cisco is from St. Johns and Gardner is from Eagar. Gardner also earned a bronze medal in the cosmetology competition.
Fellow cosmetology student, Christi Rivera of Show Low, placed third in the job skills competition. William Ebert, a welding student in Winslow took home a bronze medal in welding. Additionally, three high school (Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology, or NAVIT), students earned medals at SkillsUSA. Kyra Benally of Winslow placed second in cosmetology while Snowflake High School student Brighton Hatch earned third place in the related technical math competition. Another NAVIT student, Jose Mireles of St. Johns, earned a silver medal in welding sculpture.
A total of twenty-seven NPC students attended and competed in the state competition after earning a spot earlier this spring after placing first and earning gold medals in regional competitive events. Additional competitors in the state competition were Farrell Baldwin, Cayden Begaye, Emma Beatty, Tyrell Diggs, William Ebert, Wendy Gonzalez, Lindsey Hinton, Dawson Lee, CJ Mead, Kenia Molina, Seneca Monday, Kesslynn Parker, Samuel Paschal, Anahi Pereda, Adrian Roanhorse, Jose Ruiz, Cody Scoggin, Cayden Warneke, Carter Weber, and James Zimmerman.
Frank Pinnell, welding program faculty member, and coordinator of SkillsUSA activities for NPC said the outstanding results at the state competition reflect the dedication and hard work of career and technical education students and their instructors. “Our faculty poured themselves into the preparation of their students, and our students accounted for themselves very well in Phoenix. They demonstrated that they will leave NPC ready to perform their skills exceedingly well and attract quality employment offers leading to successful careers.”
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry partners working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps students excel by providing educational programs, events, and competitions that support career and technical education in our nation's classrooms.
Northland Pioneer College serves the residents of Navajo and Apache counties through four regional campuses and five centers with a variety of educational options for academic, career, and technical, and personal enrichment. NPC supports each student’s educational goals through affordable tuition, small class sizes, and caring, professional instructors. For more information about NPC programs and services, visit www.npc.edu or call (800) 266-7845.
