Los Fresnos High School Students Compete at Skills USA

Updated: April 29, 2024

By Mike Villarreal

Three students from Los Fresnos High School recently competed in the Graphic Design and Illustration 2024 Skills USA State Conference representing their hometown. Xiandra Acevedes, Gia Hernandez, and Anthony Chapa participated in the Screen-Printing Technology contest, and Anthony won the silver medal. This is the second consecutive year that the Graphics Design CTE program has participated in the Skills USA State Conference and won medals. The Graphics Design program is led by the talented instructor, Ivan Hernandez.

The Skills USA Competition is an event that brings together representatives from labor and industry to witness students compete in hands-on skills and leadership. The competition begins at the local level, with classroom contests taking place nationwide. Winners move on to district and state competitions, and those who excel make it to the national event.

Although winning is an achievement, the most valuable aspect of these competitions is the life skills that students gain. By participating, students can test their skills, make job contacts, and earn recognition. All winning competitors receive gold, silver, or bronze medallions, scholarships, tools, and other awards at the district, state, and national levels.

The national Skills USA Championship is held annually on floor space that equals 16 football fields, with over 5,000 competitors in 100 different events and almost 1,500 judges. Industry and businesses contribute more than $36 million toward supplies, equipment, and personnel to support the event, which is the largest single-day containment of corporate volunteerism in America.

Every two years, a select few are chosen to compete on an international level in the World Skills Competition, with Texas having had international competitors in the past. Skills USA Texas aims to provide its students with opportunities to become successful, productive citizens, employees, and leaders through leadership training activities, business partnerships, and communication.
Photos from the Los Fresnos CISD Facebook page