Joliet Township High School Students Earn Top Honors, Advance to National SkillsUSA Competition

(The following press release is from Kristine Schlismann, Director of Community & Alumni Relations with Joliet Township High School.)

JOLIET, IL —Students from Joliet Township High School earned top honors and multiple podium finishes at the SkillsUSA Illinois State Leadership and Skills Conference, held April 23–25 at the Peoria Civic Center.

Joliet Central High School and Joliet West High School were well represented at the statewide competition, with 30 students competing across a wide range of career and technical education events. Students who earned first-place finishes qualified to advance to the national SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, scheduled for June 1–5 in Atlanta.

Joliet Central senior Ozziel Lara placed first in Technical Drafting, earning a spot at the national competition. Lara also teamed with Juan Rociles Alvarado to earn second place in Additive Manufacturing.

From Joliet West, Calloway Walsh earned first place in Prepared Speech, and Grace Orth placed first in Medical Assisting, with both advancing to nationals. Additional top-three finishes included Gisele Huizar, who placed third in Interior Room Design, and Karina Murillo Ibarra, who placed third in Fashion Design.

Joliet Township High School extends its congratulations to all student competitors and their advisors, and recognizes their dedication, preparation and achievement.

Joliet Central High School competitors were Noah Arellano, Technical Drafting; Fynn Bernhard, Welding Fabrication; Alexander Calderon, Computer Programming; Lilana Chaparro, Welding Sculpture; Karla Cisneros, Welding Sculpture; Salvador Figueroa, Welding Fabrication; Nathaniel Gabriel, Technical Drafting; Giovanni Gonzalez, Welding Fabrication; Nathaniel Juarez, Technical Drafting; Ozziel Lara, Technical Drafting and Additive Manufacturing; Ayden Lehnert, Auto Maintenance and Light Repair; Angel Ramos-Martinez, Technical Drafting; Juan Rociles Alvarado, Technical Drafting and Additive Manufacturing; Angel Rodriguez-Martinez, Technical Drafting; Romeo Rojas, Technical Drafting; Isabella Sandoval, Technical Drafting; Kevin Santiago, Computer Programming; Xander Schneider, Technical Drafting; Leo Smith, Technical Drafting; Jack Strabbing, Technical Drafting.

Joliet West High School competitors were Aaliyah Hale, Fashion Design; Gisele Huizar, Interior Room Design; Kendrick Jackson, Welding; Syd Kice, Medical Assisting; Karina Murillo Ibarra, Fashion Design; Grace Orth, Medical Assisting; Nicholas Ramos, Technical Drafting; Juan Rosales Villada, Building Maintenance; Nathan Torres, Electronics Technology; Calloway Walsh, Prepared Speech.

The SkillsUSA advisors from Joliet Central are Dale West, Jarod Battisto, Kenji Balderas-Sato, and Amy Vollmer. The advisors from Joliet West are Ryann Hager, Noah Fabris, Andrew Smothers, and Joe Cruz.

Joliet Township High School is currently seeking community support to help fund student participation in the national competition for first-place qualifiers. Donations to the SkillsUSA account can be made using the SkillsUSA Donation Link. Due to registration deadlines, support is needed by Thursday, April 30.