Oklahoma SkillsUSA students brought home 22 gold medals from the 60th National Leadership and Skills Conference, putting the Oklahoma contingent in second place in the country for medal recipients.
Oklahoma took a contingent of 412 advisers and students to the conference in Atlanta, Georgia, which drew more than 17,500 people from across the country. The 262 students competed in 89 different contests, earning 22 gold medals, 34 silver medals and 17 bronze medals.
“SkillsUSA Oklahoma continues to display the outstanding talent and dedication of its students, advisers and administrators in trade and industry education through the impressive showing at the National Leadership and Skills Conference,” said Kendra Alcala, state SkillsUSA adviser with Oklahoma CareerTech. “We are incredibly proud of the hard work, time and dedication our members have put in to represent Oklahoma at the national level and for coming back as the second highest medaling state in the nation.”
In addition to competing, students also elected national officers and had the opportunity to meet SkillsUSA members from across the country and learn new skills and hear about new technology from industry and education partners.
Oklahoma SkillsUSA also brought home a national officer. State Vice President Emma Gunn, Canadian Valley Technology Center, was elected 2024-25 National SkillsUSA high school vice president.
“We are overjoyed to once again have a SkillsUSA Oklahoma member represent on the 2024-25 SkillsUSA national officer team,” Alcala said. “The skills our members have gained through their experiences will continue to empower them to be leaders in the world of work.”
In addition, 112 Oklahoma students earned skill point certificates, which recognize students who meet the industry defined competencies for their specific trade and contest areas. The certificates show that students have demonstrated proficiency and workplace readiness in their occupational specialties.
Oklahoma SkillsUSA also received awards for increased membership in 2023-24 in the middle school, high school and postsecondary membership categories.
SkillsUSA is one of seven CareerTech student organizations affiliated with CareerTech programs. It is affiliated with trade and industrial education. The other six are Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (family and consumer sciences education), FFA (agricultural education), DECA (marketing education), HOSA (health careers education), Business Professionals of America (business and information technology education) and Technology Student Association (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
Oklahoma CareerTech: Education that works for you
The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education provides leadership and resources and assures standards of excellence for a comprehensive statewide system of career and technology education. The system offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts operating on 60 campuses, 397 PK-12 school districts, 16 Skills Centers campuses that include three juvenile facilities and 32 adult education and family literacy providers.
The agency is governed by the State Board of Career and Technology Education and works closely with the State Department of Education and the State Regents for Higher Education to provide a seamless educational system for all Oklahomans.
