Each year, WSU Tech students put their skills to the test against the best and brightest from across the country at the SkillsUSA Championships. This national competition showcases students in skilled trades, leadership, and service occupations. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce.

We’re excited to share that at the 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, held June 23-27 in Atlanta, WSU Tech students earned multiple medals on the national stage, demonstrating technical excellence, professionalism, and the power of hands-on education.

National Medalists

Architectural Drafting
Gold (Postsecondary): Alex Lee

Crime Scene Investigation
Silver (High School): Emma Bachman, Ella Allender, Kaiden Graham

Criminal Justice
Silver (High School): Riley Schoen
Bronze (Postsecondary): Michael Hernandez

In addition to our national winners, WSU Tech proudly recognizes the many students who earned medals at the SkillsUSA Kansas competition earlier this year. Their strong performances helped qualify several for the national competition and showcase the depth of talent within our colleges.

State Medalists

Architectural Drafting 

PS Gold: Alex Lee

PS Silver: Ell Buell

Automotive Service Technology 

PS Gold: Jesse Cooper

PS Bronze: Spencer Debbrecht

CNC 5-Axis Milling Programmer 

PS Silver: Elijah Pavelski

PS Bronze: Jacob Flowers

Crime Scene Investigation 

HS Gold: Emma Bachman; Ella Allender; Kaiden Graham

HS Silver: Destiny Dryden; Alexis Schott; Addilyn Nelson

Crime Justice 

HS Gold: Riley Schoen

PS Gold: Michael Hernandez

HS Silver: Nathanael Brewer

HS Bronze: Hope Gettings

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC) 

HS Gold: Dylan Bailey

PS Gold: Logan Karsak

HS Silver: Ben Reeves

HS Bronze: Juan Cabrales

Technical Drafting 

PS Gold: Juan Garcia

Welding 

PS Gold: Simon Rawley

Welding Fabrication 

PS Silver: Austin Uffendell; Ray Dilts; Jacob Cronsell

These achievements would not be possible without the dedicated mentorship and support of WSU Tech’s SkillsUSA faculty advisors, who invest their time and expertise to help students succeed at the highest levels. Their guidance plays a critical role in preparing students to compete with confidence, integrity, and skill.

SkillsUSA Faculty Advisors

Architectural Drafting

Jeremy King

Automotive Service Technology

James Lawhead

Crime Scene Investigation

Clint Cartwright

Crystal Simmons (Goddard Eisenhower High School)

Criminal Justice

Clint Cartwright

Jacob Holle (Goddard High School)

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC)

Brad Havner

Welding

Eli Chiles