West Aurora High School wins 11 gold medals at SkillsUSA State Conference

In April, nine career and technical education students from West Aurora High School competed in the SkillsUSA State Conference. SkillsUSA is a national career and technical student organization that supports students who are preparing for careers in business, family consumer sciences, health occupations and industrial technology.

This virtual competition allowed for students to display their leadership, teamwork, and workplace skills. Despite the challenges the students faced this year, they did not disappoint as all nine students received a medal.

This year's team walked away with 11 gold medals, two silver medals and three bronze medals.

Additionally, each of the first-place competitors will represent West Aurora High School at the National Conference this June.

West Aurora's SkillsUSA Medalists are:

• First place: Danna Baradas, Selena Saldana, and Jocelyn Ortega, Promotional Bulletin Board; Danna Baradas, Jocelyn Ortega, and Jorialys Ayala, Community Service; Jason Branom, Restaurant Service; Annalisa Hoskins, Medical Assisting; Jill Patel, Medical Terminology; Annalisa Hoskins, Nurse Assisting; and Jill Patel, Basic Health Care Skills.

• Second place: Anissa Corral, Restaurant Service; and Frankie Garcia, Job Interview

• Third place: Anissa Corral, Culinary Arts; Jorialys Ayala, Basic Health Care Skills; and Martese Herron, Job Skill Demonstration

• Fourth place: Selena Saldana, Prepared Speech

• Fifth place: Frankie Garcia, Extemporaneous Speaking; Jocelyn Ortega and Selena Saldana, Preschool Interactive Display; and Frankie Garcia, Customer Service

• Sixth place: Danna Baradas, Job Interview

• Seventh place: Jason Branom, Culinary Arts

• Eighth place: Selena Saldana, Extemporaneous Speaking

• 11th place: Jason Branom, Commercial Baking

• 12th place: Annalisa Hoskins, Medical Math

• 13th place: Anissa Corral, Commercial Baking