Waubonsee student excels at SkillsUSA National Competition
Jose Martinez-Joya, a student at Waubonsee Community College and a member of the SkillsUSA Illinois delegation, was a gold medal winner at the 50th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference June 23-27, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Martinez-Joya received the highest award in Automotive Refinishing Technology competition. The competition showcased the most talented Career and Technical Education students in the country, all of whom were state medal winners.
"This is a terrific accomplishment. We are very proud of Jose Martinez-Joya for his hard work and determination," said Donald Bauc, executive director, SkillsUSA Illinois. "And we are proud of his teachers and advisers who guided and helped him reach this national recognition."
A team of 116 students from SkillsUSA Illinois' high school and college/post secondary programs joined the Illinois delegation of 201 individuals participating as competitors, advisers, officials, and observers at the NLSC, sponsored by SkillsUSA.
The Waubonsee Community College student was among 6,000 competitors who showcased their skills in the weeklong event at the H. Roe Bartle Hall and Municipal Auditorium. Students worked against the clock and with each other to prove their expertise in hands-on competition that covered 99 occupational, technical, and leadership fields.
Contests were run with the help of industry, trade associations, and labor organizations; test competencies were set by industry.
SkillsUSA Illinois noted that 26 students won medals in this year's SkillsUSA Championships; 15 medals were won by college/post secondary students and 11 by high school students. The number of students awarded gold medals were two college/post-secondary students and seven high school students.
Those winning a silver medal included 10 college students and three high school students; and the bronze medals were awarded to three college students and one high school student.
A nationwide partnership of students, instructors, and industry working together, SkillsUSA is committed to ensuring that America has a skilled workforce. Illinois SkillsUSA is a charter member of SkillsUSA. More than 162,000 students have participated in SkillsUSA Illinois over the past 50 years.
For more information or a membership application, contact Donald W. Bauc, executive director, P.O. Box 15, Mokena, IL 60448-0015, or ilskillsusa@aol.com.