Local students honored at national SkillsUSA competition

At the 2025 SkillsUSA Championships held in Atlanta on June 25-26, a few local students were honored with a certificate of accomplishment. More than 6,500 students competed at the national showcase of career and technical education, and the SkillsUSA Championships is the largest skill competition in the world. 

All competitors were honored on Friday night at the closing awards session at State Farm Arena. As an indicator of proficiency, Skill Point Certificates were awarded to the national contestants who met a predetermined threshold contest score for their event, demonstrating workplace readiness. 

The following local students were Skill Point Certificate recipients: Celeste Lindsay, early childhood education; Addisyn Perkins, T-shirt design; Howard McNiven, technical drafting. Avery Layne also participated in photography at the event.

“I was fortunate enough to be the chaperone for the three girls in Atlanta,” said Becky Perkins. “Although I am fairly new to SkillsUSA, I have been aware of the programs and competitions available for our local kids in Wyoming. However, the national level was simply amazing.”

Perkins credited the event and their dedication to helping students who will eventually be seeking careers outside of the “normal” college-bound route or specializing in specialized areas, such as engineering, construction and computers.

She said the competition was designed to mimic a job within the chosen industry and help the students develop skills necessary to be successful. 

“Getting to see these girls compete at this level and each taking away some useful insights that will help them in the future was very rewarding,” Perkins added.

First place state winners were invited to the event to demonstrate their technical, workplace and personal skills in 114 hands-on occupational and leadership competitions including robotics, automotive technology, drafting, criminal justice, aviation maintenance and public speaking. 

Industry leaders from 850 businesses, corporations, trade associations and unions planned and evaluated the contestants against their standards for entry-level workers. More than 1,200 industry judges and technical committee members participated this year.

“More than 6,500 students from every state in the nation participated in this year’s SkillsUSA Championships,” said SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis. “This showcase of career and technical education demonstrates SkillsUSA at its finest. Our students, instructors and industry partners work together to ensure that every student excels. This program expands learning and career opportunities for our members.”

The event is held annually for students in middle school, high school or college/postsecondary programs as part of the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference. The national, nonprofit partnership of students, instructors and industry is a verified talent pipeline for America’s skilled workforce that is working to help solve the skills gap.