Students from SJC and San Juan College High School earned top awards at the New Mexico SkillsUSA State Competition, demonstrating excellence across a range of career and technical education programs.
From firefighting and welding to automotive and diesel technology, students competed against peers from across the state and brought home multiple medals.
SkillsUSA is a national organization that helps students develop technical, leadership and workplace skills through hands-on learning, professional development and competitive events. The annual state competition gives students the opportunity to apply real-world skills in high-pressure environments while preparing for future careers in skilled trades and technical industries.
This year, 13 out of 15 students representing SJC and SJCHS placed in their events, earning gold, silver and bronze medals in several categories.
Students Earn Medals Across Multiple Technical Competitions
San Juan College and San Juan College High School students earned recognition in firefighting, automotive service technology, collision repair technology, diesel equipment technology and welding.
Firefighting
- McKay Cook, SJC — Gold Medal
- William Collins, SJC — Silver Medal
- Kolby Cockrell, SJC — Bronze Medal
Automotive Service Technology
- Dawson Rhodes, SJCHS — Gold Medal
- Sven Steffenson, SJC — Gold Medal
- Reily Kirk, SJC — Silver Medal
- Lyndell Allison, SJC — Bronze Medal
Collision Repair Technology
- Joe Thomas, SJCHS — Gold Medal
- Candice Moya, SJC — Gold Medal
Diesel Equipment Technology
- Alejandro Magallanes, SJCHS — Gold Medal
- Blake Barton, SJC — Gold Medal
- Kylee Sifsof, SJC — Bronze Medal
Welding
- Carson Miller, SJC — Bronze Medal
SkillsUSA Competition Prepares Students for Real-World Careers
For many students, the SkillsUSA competition offered more than a chance to win medals. It provided an opportunity to test their technical abilities, build confidence and strengthen teamwork skills in career-focused environments.
Firefighting student McKay Cook earned a gold medal after demonstrating skills in knot tying, an oral board interview and a combat challenge. Cook said the experience reinforced the importance of teamwork and perseverance.
“The best part of winning gold was doing it alongside two of my fellow cadets,” Cook said. “We’ve built a real sense of camaraderie as a team, and this experience proved to me that I’m capable of anything when I push myself and trust the people beside me.”
Automotive Service Technology student Reily Kirk, who earned a silver medal, said the competition helped him recognize how much he has grown through the program.
“Winning silver at SkillsUSA was a rewarding experience because it showed me how much I’ve grown in the program,” Kirk said. “The competition challenged me to think critically, work under pressure and apply the skills we practice in the shop every day.”
Career and Technical Education Programs Continue to Drive Student Success
The strong showing at SkillsUSA reflects the dedication and hard work of SJC students, instructors and career and technical education programs. Through hands-on training and industry-focused learning, students gain the experience needed to succeed in today’s workforce.
The achievements of these students also highlight the growing importance of skilled trades education and workforce development in supporting regional industries and economic growth.
SJC offers a variety of career and technical education programs designed to prepare students for in-demand careers through hands-on learning and industry experience.
