LTHS Board Recognizes 2023 SkillsUSA State Finishers

LOCKPORT, IL — At its meeting on Monday, the Lockport Township High School Board of Education recognized the state finishers of the SkillsUSA Illinois State Leadership and Skills Conference. This year’s competition was held on April 28 at the Peoria Civic Center in Peoria.

According to the District, 50 LTHS students advanced to the state competition after taking a qualifying test in February. Students competed in their respective competitions and were judged by industry professionals.

This year, LTHS students Trinity Muszynski and Brent Paller applied for and were voted in as SkillsUSA Illinois State Officers for the 2023-2024 school year. Muszynski and Paller were also Masters of Ceremonies for this year's State Conference. They were responsible for helping to put together and present at one of the biggest conferences in recent years, the District said.

Matt Mullins, the SkillsUSA Advisor, is incredibly proud of what they have been able to accomplish in the two quick years they have been with SkillsUSA, the District said. Mullins cannot wait to see what the next year holds as these two grow and learn to be leaders in their industries.

Teachers within the LTHS College and Career Applications Department prepare teams for yearly state and national SkillsUSA competitions. Jeff Brown leads the Engineering Technology Design Team and 3D Animation, Mark de la Vega leads Automotive Service Technology, Chris Davis leads Teamworks, and Mullins leads Power Equipment Technology and serves as the SkillsUSA Advisor, the District said.

The following students placed in the top three of the competitions:

1st Place/Gold:

Teamworks - Tanis Ceballos, Seth Cavett, John Scholten, and Kyle Brown
Architectural Drafting - Emily Do
3D Visualization and Animation - Natalia Handzel and Tristan Merkel
Engineering Technology Design - Trinity Muszynski, Robert Karbarz, and Jack Thies
Power Equipment Technology - Brent Paller

Second Place/Silver:

Power Equipment Technology - Deven Galeher

Third Place/Bronze:

3D Visualization and Animation - Mathew Brozovich and Michael Stogsdill
Automotive Service Technology - Ryan Krestel
Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair - Dominick Tucci

On June 19 -24, the 11 first place finishers will participate in the SkillsUSA National Competition in Atlanta, the District said.