CTE Students Earn Honors at State Competitions

It was a busy season for Career and Technical Education (CTE)  students throughout the district who competed at the state level in the HOSA, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), and SkillsUSA state conferences.  

The FBLA State Leadership conference was held on April 3-5 in Tucson, Arizona. The event gives students the opportunity to advance to the national conference, compete in a variety of competitions, participate in workshops, and run for state office for FBLA.

Valley Vista High School saw great success with several awards:

4th Place Digital Animation - Jacob Jackson, Gavin Ronald, and Spencer Baker

5th Place Digital Animation - Sadie Bright and Chris Reynolds

3rd place Broadcast Journalism - Michael Brelsford, Genesis Martinez, and Rebecca Micula 

3rd Place Digital Video Production - Livia Tibbling, David Brazil, and Olivia Castro

5th Place Digital Video Production - Katherine Hibbard, Matthew Dietzman, and Niyah Durrett 

2nd Place Partnership with Business Project - Ryan Irish

4th Place Graphic Design, Journalism - Kade Ruff 

1st Place Management of Information Systems - Issac White, Skyler Spinella, and Barsin Edward

FBLA inspires and prepares students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences.

Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) students from all four high schools competed in the HOSA State Leadership Conference held in Tucson March 29 - 31st.

Students had the opportunity to compete in multiple different events, participate in workshops, and network with current healthcare professionals as well as other students from across the state. 

Congratulations to the following students for their achievements in their respective events:

Shadow Ridge High School students Jack Ceron, Nate Delage, Parker Kiepke, and Allision Chov won 2nd Place HOSA Bowl Team Event.

Willow Canyon High School had several students place including: 

3rd Place Mental Health - Marian Amezcua and Jayda Corzo

Alternate Top 5 Researched Persuasive Writing and Speaking - Sarena Strickland

2nd Place Physical Therapy - Jasmine Laibe

3rd Place Extemporaneous Writing - Gianna McCurdy 

Alternate Top 5 Medical Law and Ethics -  Tyrah Davis

Alternate Top 5 Pathophysiology - McKenna Lee

HOSA is a student-led organization that seeks to empower students to become leaders in the global health community, through education, collaboration, and experience. The HOSA State Leadership conference provides students the opportunity to use the skills they have learned in their Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses and apply them to a competitive events program. 

Students from all four district high schools attended the SkillsUSA State Leadership Conference held April 11-12 in Phoenix. Several students competed and found success in their respective events. 

Willow Canyon students found success in the following events:

1st Place Interactive Application and Game Design - Jasper Nicholson and Jericho Nicholson

1st Place Career Pathways Showcase: Arts and Comm - Eli Hernandez, Maliah McCaffrey, and Gracie Hansom

4th Place Job Skill Demo A - Madison Albin

Top 10 Pin Design Finalist - Viviana Ibuado

Willow Canyon also received the Silver Chapter of Distinction Award and Willow Canyon Graphic Design teacher and advisor, Amy Morrison was inducted into the Arizona SkillsUSA Hall of Champions. 

Shadow Ridge High School found success in many events including:

Gold in Pin Design - Jonathan Hornberger 

Silver in Pin Design - Kaylee Bernal 

Silver in Mobile Robotics - Wyatt Wilson and Ryan Louis

Silver in Web Design & Development - Joseph Holm and Aaron Skol

Bronze in Computer Programming - Zachary Hampton

Bronze in Mobile Robotics - Abel Garza and Travis Cain

SkillsUSA is a Career and Technical Education partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development by building and reinforcing self-confidence, work attitudes and communications skills. A nonprofit national education association, SkillsUSA serves middle-school, high-school and college/postsecondary students preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service (including health) occupations.

These awards will qualify several students to compete at the national level this summer.  

HOSA, FBLA, and SkillsUSA are a few of the many Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities offered to prepare students for the academic and vocational skills necessary to successfully enter the workforce.  Learn more at dysart.org/cte.