SkillsUSA students participated in their district competition Feb. 20-21 at the Texas State Technical College in Waco. Participating in 146 different projects, leadership and skills competitions, were 658 Career and Technical Education students from across the state. Seventeen Wylie East students entered four projects and competed in six of these competitions and received superior ratings on all projects, including a Best of Show rating, and six medals in their competitions. All 17 students will advance to the State level of competition in Corpus Christi, Texas, March 31.

“I am exceptionally proud of the hard work and effort these students have given,” SKILLS USA advisor Mr. David Lanman said. “During the last two years Wylie East students have shown that they have what it takes to be successful in SkillsUSA.”

Freshmen Sara Johnson and Mauricio Ruiz entered a criminal justice display panel, which demonstrated a criminal justice topic. Both students received a superior rating, and Mauricio Ruiz received Best in Show.

Sophomore Shelana Arif received a superior rating in the Advertising Design contest. This contest requires the student to make contact with a client and develop an advertising design campaign, including a final design of a logo for the client.

Freshman Cheyanne Voelker entered an Employment Portfolio, which outlines the job application process. She received a superior rating.

“They judge you on the usage of your words, overall appearance and organization of the project,” Voelker said.

Sophomore Afrida Tasnim took first place in the Tele-Communication Network Cabling contest.

Freshman Jerry Okonkwo received first place in the Employment Application Process contest. Okonkwo created a person portfolio and participated in a job interview.

The chapter business procedure team was required to conduct a business meeting demonstrating proper parliamentary procedure using Robert’s Rules of Order. The team beat Allen High School for first place. The team consisted of, freshman Viola Nicole Sibala, freshman Wesley Craig, freshman Dylan Smith, sophomore Kelley Chu, freshman Kayleigh Horton and sophomore Afrida Tasnim.

Criminal Justice students entered the Crime Scene Investigation, Building Search and Felony Stop contests. Student were expected to demonstrate professional standards while engaged in real life scenarios.

Junior Aurelia Holifield, freshman George Moslener and freshman Sara Johnson placed second in the crime scene investigation contest.

Sophomore Haley Proctor, freshmen Jaheem Jackson, Joshua Guevara and sophomore McKenna Steiner placed third in the building search contest.

“I’ve learned that you have to trust your instincts, go with your gut and practice scenarios,” Steiner said.

Freshmen Sara Johnson and Dylan Smith placed first in the felony traffic stop contest.

SKILLS USA students took a total of four Gold medals, one Silver medal and one Bronze medal.

Steiner and sophomores Afrida Tasnim and Haley Proctor were all elected as SkillsUSA Texas District 5 2016 – 2017 district officers. They will attend leadership training this summer with other Skills USA Texas District officers.

“First we had to take a test, and then there was an interview. I was really nervous about the interview because I went first, and first isn’t always best,” Tasnim said. “I was so excited when they called my name and said that I had advanced to round two, and I was going to be able to give my speech, but we discovered that we only had 60 seconds for our speech, and we had been practicing for two minutes. When they called my name my face absolutely lit up. I was so proud of myself because of all the obstacles I had to overcome to make it this far. I practically lived at the school while practicing for this so to make it and beat eight people for one of the seven spots felt amazing.”

Lanman says that any student enrolled in a Career and Technology course is eligible to participate in the SKILLS USA events.

“I would really like to see the number of students competing in these contests to double or triple next year.”