• Topeka, Kan. – Fourteen gold medals were among the honors captured by the Washburn University Institute of Technology students who participated in the 2021 SkillsUSA Kansas competition. In keeping with pandemic protocols, the contests were conducted virtually, with competitors using equipment and facilities at their school and judges participated via real-time in interviews and presentations.

Twenty-five Washburn Tech students participated in 19 high school and 16 post-secondary contests. Recipients of gold medals have the opportunity to advance to the national contest in June.

Students and their achievements are:

Burlingame:  

  • Kristian Havestadt, auto collision repair:  silver, collision damage appraisal.
  • Kiera McNellis, culinary:  gold, job skill demonstration open.

Ellis:  Thomas Shepard, climate & energy control technologies:  silver, quiz bowl.         

Eudora:  Maggie Durkin, cosmetology:  gold, esthetics.

Gardner:  Drew Nelson, business bookkeeping & accounting:  gold, technical computer applications; silver, quiz bowl;

Mayetta:  Breauna Jewell, graphics technology:  gold, t-shirt design.

Meriden: 

  • Colby Figge, auto collision repair:  gold, collision repair technology; gold, collision damage appraisal.
  • Jordan Hewitt, auto collision repair:  silver, automotive refinishing.

Nortonville:  Trent Meredith, cabinet/millwork:  gold, cabinetmaking.

Olathe:  Kyle Kucharski, auto collision repair:  silver, quiz bowl; silver, collision damage appraisal; bronze, automotive refinishing.

Ozawkie:  Matthias Moore, cabinet/millwork:  silver, cabinetmaking.

Perry:  Courtney Ross, legal office professional:  silver, technical computer applications; bronze, job interview.

Saint Marys:  Mary Jane Downey, cosmetology:  gold, cosmetology.

Silver Lake:  Thayden Kohler, cabinet/millwork:  gold, cabinetmaking.

Topeka:

  • Paula Alvarado, cosmetology:  gold, cosmetology.
  • Trysten Botts, auto collision repair: gold, collision damage appraisal.
  • Luis Del Real, auto collision repair:  silver, automotive refinishing.
  • Emily Hernandez, cosmetology:  bronze, esthetics.
  • Curtis Kelley, cabinet/millwork:  silver, cabinetmaking.
  • Blake Montgomery, auto collision repair:  gold, collision repair technology; gold, collision damage appraisal.
  • Shelby Montgomery, cosmetology:  silver, nail care.
  • Amanda Schultz, cosmetology:  gold, nail care.

Wamego:  Kaitlyn Freeman, auto collision repair: bronze, collision repair technology.

About SkillsUSA:

  • SkillsUSA improves the quality of America’s skilled workforce through a structured program of citizenship, leadership, employability, technical and professional skills training. The organization also enhances the lives and careers of students, instructors and industry representatives as they strive to be champions at work.
  • SkillsUSA empowers its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. SkillsUSA improves the quality of America’s skilled workforce through a structured program of citizenship, leadership, employability, technical and professional skills training. SkillsUSA enhances the lives and careers of students, instructors and industry representatives as they strive to be champions at work. The organization has 13,000 school chapters in 54 state and territorial associations.

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For further information: Lori Hutchinson 785.670.2199 Lori.hutchinson@washburn.edu
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