Montgomery County Public Schools is highlighting the achievements of dozens of students who advanced through local SkillsUSA competitions held earlier this month.
According to MCPS, during the week of December 8, students competed in one of 43 local SkillsUSA competitions hosted at Thomas Edison High School of Technology. The events showcased students’ technical knowledge, hands-on skills, and career readiness across a wide range of fields.
MCPS reported that 127 students earned top scores in their respective competitions, allowing them to advance to regional and or state levels. The students were recognized in front of their peers and received certificates and commemorative pins. The pin design was created by senior graphic design student Ivan Gajduko.
Several business and industry partners recognized student achievement with special opportunities. MCPS noted that winners of the Restaurant Services and Culinary Arts competitions received a three-course meal at Mastro’s Steakhouse, along with a behind-the-scenes tour of the restaurant during service. In addition, the winner of the Architectural Drafting competition will be recognized by PRO Remodeler at its annual gala in February as the Rising Star recipient.
MCPS credited the success of the week to strong partnerships with the local business community. A total of 81 industry professionals served as judges, representing organizations including Darcars, Adventist HealthCare, the Montgomery County Police Department, Montgomery College, Boland, and Daikin HVAC. MCPS also released the list of competition winners by category:
Action Skills: Noah Mitchum and Immanuel Meredith
Architectural Drafting: Nicole Chang, Jose Rodriguez Amaya and Benjamin Burckle
Auto Maintenance Light Repair: Dylan Goodnough, Kristoffer Juarez Peraza and Maximus Lycorish
Automotive Service Technology: William Orellana, Myker Portillo Sagastume and Brian Lemus Cedillo
Barbering: Johana Munguia Hernandez, Sofia Vinson and Brayana Nya
Basic Health Care Skills: Sydney Ashton, Anya Barrett and Charlotte Vieira
Career Pathways Showcase – Health Science: Tiago Ferreira, Mymoon Houndito, Hlina Araya, Betanya Belete, Semira Abdellah, Ruth Binyam, Henry Le, Catherine Valenzuela and Aubrey Nguy
Career Pathways Showcase – Human Services: Marc Boco, Chisom Igwe, Jamie Palacios Mendez, Sandra Sinogo, Setyana Bika and Carolina Valera Ruiz
Carpentry: Abubeker Yimer, Jackson Rhoads and Joseph Spence
Cosmetology: Janiyah Johnson, Kayle Rodriguez and Diana Salazar
Criminal Justice: Alisson Diaz Hernandez, Deborah Mehari and Josue Ramos Chajon
Customer Service: Alisson Ayala Vasquez, Xavier Molina and Maria Elizabeth Gomez Gamez
Cybersecurity: Cesare Bonaparte, Christina Quach, Naol Solomon, Alazer Gisaw, Joshua Tilahun and Adel Omer
Electrical Construction Wiring: Edenilson Perez Ramos, Crystal Ramirez Mendez and Lester Cos Chitay
Employment Application Process: Tamir Satterwhite
Esthetics: Yenci Villatoro Pacheco, Jasmine Romero and Jasmine Villegas
Extemporaneous Speaking: Josephine Melchizedek, Najhelie Romero and Tharaphi Htun
First Aid and CPR: Emely Sevilla, Sara Hernandez and Trinity Pierre
Health Knowledge Bowl: Luam Kiflom, Mariana Hernandez, Roselyn Garmendez Turcio and Ashley Cruz Miranda
HVACR: Colin Luedtke, Johnny Soriano and Yitian Xie
Industrial Motor Control: Shane Corkery, Antonio Ghant and Jayden Brewster McCarthy
IT Service: Pavel Hilliard, Vincent Johnson and Liam Classen
Job Interview: Maraki Fekade and Rowen Collins
Job Skills Demo: Tracy Do, Asiah Jacobs and Meke Nigussie
Masonry: Hayden Bickel, Alessandro Estrada and Jonathan Uscanga Garcia
Medical Math: Kamgharida Ejiogu
Medical Terminology: Jancy Duran-Escobar, Toan Tran, Nella Barrigah, Maria Silva Roque and Kamisha McDonald
Nails: Melissa Romero, Eva Palanzo and Hailey Palma
Nurse Assisting: Theresa Fornah, Rheanna Abilhomme and Brian Tudor
Pin: Bryan Acevedo, Annabella Melgar and Sara Ke
Prepared Speech: Nicol Morales Rocha
Promotional Bulletin Board: Taylor Simmonds, Diane Mendoza and Valeria Reyes
Plumbing: Brayan Chavez Acosta, Kevin Mendez Rosales and Chloe Lennon
Culinary Arts: Lara Diaz, Diana Destine and Amilcar Monroy Morales
Related Technical Math: Jose Castro, Arman Jamali and Henry Ngo
Restaurant Service: Selvin Vail Diaz, Genesis Arevalo Oliva and Selvin Perez Mendoza
Sheet Metal: Antoan Zaprianov, Amari Harris and Ronald Felipe Lemus
Telecommunications Cabling: Avi Juneja, Aedan Glasgow and Fernando Rodriguez
Tshirt: Ivan Gajduko, Joshua DeAraujo and Daixian Li
MCPS said the SkillsUSA competitions provide students with real-world experience, industry feedback, and opportunities to advance their technical education while building pathways to future careers.
