NTU’s team works crew poses for a photo after receiving gold medals at the SkillsUSA state competition. The team works competition had the students build a structure using their carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and masonry skills. From left: Darian Edsitty, Walter Francis, Kalem Vandever, and Nillson Wood.

Ten Navajo Technical University (NTU) students will be traveling to Louisville, Kentucky in June to compete in the SkillsUSA national conference after winning gold medals at the SkillsUSA state competition at Central New Mexico Community College. In total, NTU was awarded 25 medals across 18 competitions, while testing their vocational and job competencies against industry standards.

The ten students qualifying for nationals by earning a gold medal were Mark Louie Francisco for restaurant service; Jenelle King for job skill demonstration; Marell Charley for extemporaneous speech; Linda Todicheeney for early childhood education; Walter Francis, Darian Edsitty, Kalem Vandever, and Nillson Wood for team works; and the team of Shane Tsosie and Adriane Tenequer for additive manufacturing.

Earning silver medals for NTU were Dexter Dale for culinary arts; Mikalya Sam for restaurant service; Kevin Harding for baking; Sheila Begay for job skill demonstration; Nicole Shult for prepared speech; Eric Holiday for job interview; Marcie Vandever and Eric Bailey for additive manufacturing; and the team of Wyatt Tsosie, Derrick Chavez, and Santiago Benny for welding fabrication. Silver medalists serve as alternates for the national conference and can fill in for a gold medalist under certain circumstances, such as when a competitor is not able to compete.

NTU received four bronze medals at the state competition as well. Construction technology major Cyrus Coan placed third in cabinetmaking, while culinary arts major Shawn Curley placed third in baking and job skill demonstration. Aaron John also received a bronze medal in the job interview category.

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. More than 360,000 students and instructors participate in SkillsUSA nation-wide, at both secondary and post-secondary schools. In addition to events and competitions, SkillsUSA provides educational programs that support career and technical education in the classroom.