KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
April 11, 2024
By Natalie Cook Clark
Over 100 Katy ISD recently advanced to state to compete against thousands of participants in occupational and leadership skill areas. Six were rewarded with first place honors, securing their participation in the 2024 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference.
127 KISD Students Competed at the State Champions
Four four-days thousands of students competed at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Corpus Christi. 127 KISD students earned a place to compete, but six won first place in their skills and the right to compete in Nationals this summer.
127 Katy ISD students recently advanced to state to compete against thousands of participants in over 100 occupational and leadership skill areas.
“The Miller Career & Technology Center (MCTC) SkillsUSA program has experienced significant growth, and we are excited about the real-world experiences and career-focused opportunities it provides to our students,” says Dallas Bergstrom, MCTC Manufacturing Engineering Instructor.
These exceptional students have dedicated themselves since the start of the school year to refine their skills, and they are excited to proudly represent Katy ISD on a national stage at the upcoming competition.
“Participating in our SkillsUSA initiative equips students with invaluable networking and leadership development, fostering connections with fellow peers and industry partners, both within our state and nationwide,” says Bergstrom.
KISD continued to impress as some placed among the Top 3 spots in their respective categories.
Every year, SkillsUSA chapters submit activities representing each of the three components: Personal Skills, Workplace Skills, and Technical Skills Grounded in Academics. These activities encompass essential elements within each component. Submissions undergo scoring and ranking to determine placements. Our Manufacturing Engineering chapter earned Gold in Texas for this award. Currently, winners from each state are being assessed to determine participants for the national competition.
KISD students in that group are; Paula Churio, Braylen Perkins and David Townsend.
The SkillsUSA Championships is the national culmination of a year-long process that begins in local SkillsUSA chapters across the country. KISD students have been competing with other students on the local, district, and regional levels before meeting in Corpus Christ for the state championships. Competitors may earn scholarships, tools of the trade, and even job offers right off the competition floor.
Congratulations to all the KISD students who participated. Nationals are this June in Atlanta.