SkillsUSA Champions - Fall 2007 - 2007 Best in the Nation

	JEREMY MONTOYA, High School President School: Chandler (Ariz.) High School Studies: Graphic communications and TV production Career Goal: Professional video producer or film editor Says: “When I joined three years ago, I had it in my mind that I wanted to be a national officer, and that dream has come true for me.”
MEGAN BROWN, Region IV Vice President School: Cleveland (Texas) High School Studies: Building trades Career Goal: Lawyer Says: “As a freshman, I was hanging out with the wrong crowd. They were into drugs and they tried to persuade me to do that. I got into building trades and my advisor introduced me to SkillsUSA, and that’s where I turned my life around.”
	COURTNEY MILLER, College/Postsecondary Secretary School: Johnson and Wales University, Charlotte, N.C. Studies: Hospitality Career Goal: Cruise director Says: “I’d like to travel around the world and manage different events. I entered into SkillsUSA not knowing what it was, thinking it was a culinary arts club.”
JACK FREDERICK, College/Postsecondary President School: Pittsburg (Kan.) State University Studies: Automotive technology Career Goal: Auto industry management Says: “I can work on anything that involves my hands. I was a silver medalist in Automotive Service Technology last year. I’ve heard that it’s kind of a rare bird to have a national medalist [be] a national officer.”
	CHRIS CRONBAUGH, Region V Vice President School: Peoria (Ariz.) High School Studies: Culinary arts Career Goal: Missionary Says: “I’m in National Honor Society and very involved in my youth group at church. I advocate for career and technical education and, in my district, for the students in my school.”
RODNEY FENNELL, High School Treasurer School: Mid-Del Technology Center, Midwest City, Okla. Studies: Computer-aided drafting and video production Career Goal: Music industry Says: “I’m surprised to see how far I’ve come, and I’m willing to see how far I can get.”
	THI TRAN, Region II Vice President School: Edison Academy, Falls Church, Va. Studies: Cosmetology Career Goal: Getting her license and working with her sister-in-law in her shop Says: “This is my first year in SkillsUSA, since we can only start our junior year. I’ve been a district officer, state officer and finally a national officer in such a small amount of time. I’m working on my PDP so I can strive for better leadership goals.”
PEDRO MORENO, College/Postsecondary Vice President School: Oklahoma State University, Okmulgee Studies: Instrumentation engineering Career Goal: Teacher Says: “I came from being in a house with bullet holes all over it to being a national officer. It’s such a huge step. I love to see my little brothers try to follow behind me.”
	NEHEMIAH PAYNE, High School Parliamentarian School: Eastland Career Center, Groveport, Ohio Studies: Commercial art Career Goal: 3-D animation and special effects, eventually making movies Says: I like to go to church [and] play sports. I love to draw, and I love music. I adapt in all habitats, all environments.”
AMIE CLARIDGE, Region III Vice President School: Wayne County Career Center, Smithville, Ohio Studies: Dental assisting Career Goal: Dental hygenist Says: “I like getting involved with my community. I dare to be different and take different challenges and new things upon myself.”
	ADAM EATON, College/Postsecondary Treasurer School: Dixie State College, St. George, Utah Studies: Graphic communications and computer sciences Career Goals: Teaching or information technology Says: “My Boy Scout troop rode our bicycles across Utah. A great experience.”
CARLOS GALVAN, High School Vice President School: Sharyland High School, Mission, Texas Studies: Building trades Career Goals: Law school and becoming a prosecuting attorney Says: “I came to this country three years ago and faced not being accepted to now being a national officer.”
	KRISTEN SMITH, College/Postsecondary Parliamentarian School: Community College of Rhode Island, Warwick Studies: Early childhood education Career Goal: Daycare center owner Says: “I’m very active in my community, working with the homeless shelters. I’m very passionate about the homeless. … We raised over $40,000 for the homeless in the state.”
SHELBY ADSERO, High School Secretary School: Mary M. Knight School, Elma, Wash. Studies: Photography Career Goal: Politics, advocating for career and technical education Says: “I attend a very small school. I have a graduating class of 14. Since I’ve become involved in SkillsUSA, I’ve broadened my opportunities.”

Honorary Life Members
Donald Bauc, SkillsUSA Illinois director; and SkillsUSA board members Mary Bell of Caterpillar Distribution Services/Caterpillar Logistics Services Inc., Frank Carroll of Bosch Power Tools North America, Donald Eshelby of Idaho’s Division of Vocational Education, and John Hinesley of ArvinMeritor

Advisor of the Year
Linda Shelton, Hickman County High School, Centerville, Tenn.

Outstanding Educators
Glenn Barefoot, SkillsUSA North Carolina director; Dan Cleveland, SkillsUSA Michigan former director; Kathie Collins-McKean, SkillsUSA New York director (high school association)

Professional Development Program International Degree
Gerald Suggs, Davies Career and Technical High School, Warwick, R.I.

Student2Student Grand Prize Chapter
Hancock County Technical Center, Ellsworth, Maine

Pat Dalton Outstanding Achievement Award
SkillsUSA Youth Development Foundation members Cheri Judkins of Harley-Davidson University and Cindy Sutton of Lowe’

3-D Visualization and Animation:
Jonathan Reyes and Russell Henry, Regional Technical Institute, Reno, Nev.; Scott Hadley and Tyson Van Wagoner, Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, Utah

Action Skills:
Brenique Henry, Conroe (Texas) High School; Brieanne Evans, Central Technology Center, Drumright, Okla.

Advertising Design:
Brandon Sullivan, Carver-Scott Co-op Center, Chaska, Minn.; Megan Ostrander, Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, Iowa

American Spirit:
(teams) Buckeye Hills Career Center, Rio Grande, Ohio; Manatee Technical Institute, Bradenton, Fla. Architectural Drafting: Josh Jones, Academy for Career Education, Reno, Nev.; Brett E. Munden, Utah Valley State College, Orem, Utah

Automated Manufacturing Technology:
(teams) Richard Creteau Regional Vocational Center, Rochester, N.H.; Ranken Technical College, St. Louis, Mo.

Automotive Service Technology:
Daniel Lehmkuhl, San Luis Obispo (Calif.)High School; Kyle Reimann, Madison (Wis.) Area Technical College

Aviation Maintenance Technology:
Jacob A. Mergler, Miami Valley Career Technology Center, Clayton, Ohio; Travis Beach, Texas State Technical College, Waco

Basic Health Care Skills:
Catherine Milkowski, Pathfinder Regional Vocational-Technical High School, Palmer, Mass.

Building Maintenance:
Damien White, Delcastle Technical High School, Wilmington, Del.; Mary Escudero, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces

Cabinetmaking:
Brandon Carpenter, Carroll County High School, Hillsville, Va.; Kyle Wegmen, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, Lancaster, Pa.

Carpentry:
Corey Smith, Cedartown (Ga.) High School; Mike Eroh, Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades, Media, Pa.

Chapter Business Procedure:
(teams) Klein (Texas) High School; Utah Valley State College, Orem, Utah

Chapter Display:
(teams) Sullivan South High School, Kingsport, Tenn.; Central Georgia Technical College, Macon

CNC Milling:
Fernando de la Garza, Dehryl A. Dennis Professional Technical Education Center, Boise, Idaho; Kelly Brown, Idaho State University, Pocatello

CNC Turning:
Josef Schwarzer, Romeo Engineering and Technology Center, Washington, Mich.; Brandon Dornak, Lanier Technical College, Oakwood, Ga.

Collision Repair Technology:
Scott Raymond, Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, Northampton, Mass.; Joel Tolly, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Green Bay

Commercial Baking:
Jackie Winget, St. Johnsbury (Vt.) Academy; Jocelyn DiFazio, Minuteman Regional High School, Lexington, Mass. Community Service: (teams) Central Arizona Valley Institute of Technology, Casa Grande; Southern Hills Career and Technical center, Georgetown, Ohio

Computer Maintenance Technology:
Nick Stocchero, Naperville (Ill.) Central High School; Josh Brooks, Mid-Del Technology Center, Midwest City, Okla.

Computer Programming:
Christopher Giles, Calvert Career Center, Prince Frederick, Md.; Ricky Jett, Texas State Technical College, Waco

Cosmetology:
Reubin McIntosh, Tulsa Technology Center, Broken Arrow, Okla.; Jennifer Miaczynski, Kankakee Area Career Center, Bourbonnais, Ill.

Crime Scene Investigation:
(teams) Lakeview Centennial High School, Garland, Texas; Alexandria (Minn.) Technical College

Criminal Justice:
Cecilia Casanova, James Pace High School, Brownsville, Texas; Vanessa Escutia, Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove, Ill.

Culinary Arts:
Craig Growney, Bergen County Vocational-Technical School, Hackensack, N.J.; Gary Kent, Central New Mexico Community College, Albuquerque

Customer Service:
Tina Gracia, Cape May County Vocational-Technical Center, Cape May Court House, N.J.; Warren Zentz, Frederick County Career and Technology Center, Frederick, Md.

Dental Assisting:
Tyler Rallison, Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College, Ogden, Utah; Tricia Chapa, San Antonio College, San Antonio, Texas

Diesel Equipment Technology:
Jared Williams, Tulsa Technology Center Lemley Campus, Tulsa, Okla.; Jeremy Alderfer, Illinois Central College, East Peoria

Electronics Applications:
Benjamin Parry, Provo (Utah) High School; Brian Leverson, Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Wadena

Electronics Technology:
Alexander Stevenson, Parkside High School, Salisbury, Md.; Jeff Morris, Louisiana Technical College T.H. Harris Campus, Opelousas

Engineering Technology:
(teams) Mexico (Mo.) Area Vocational-Technical School Entrepreneurship: (teams) Meridian (Idaho) Charter High School; Manatee Technical Institute, Bradenton, Fla.

Extemporaneous Speaking:
Jeffrey Kiser, Round Valley High School, Springerville, Ariz.; Stacy Scott, Texas State University, San Marcos

Firefighting:
Kilan Anderson, Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology, Snowflake; Randy Gray, Manatee Technical Institute, Bradenton, Fla.

First Aid/CPR:
Jordan Kinnett, Lee County High School, Leesburg, Ga.; Michael Purdy, Manatee Technical Institute, Bradenton, Fla.

Food and Beverage Service:
Brandon Gump, Anthis Career Center, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Brian Werling, Central New Mexico Community College, Albuquerque

Graphic Communications:
Chrissy Shiflet, Francis Tuttle Technology Center Rockwell Campus, Oklahoma City; Amela Mujkic, Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Mich.

Health Knowledge Bowl:
(Teams) Elkhart (Ind.) Area Career Center; Columbus (Ga.) Technical College

Health Occupations Professional Portfolio:
Cortney Lucas, U.S. Grant Career Center, Bethel, Ohio; Jennifer Cauble, Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical School, Franklin, Mass.

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration:
Nicholas Wray, Limestone Career Technology Center, Athens, Ala.; Aaron Nelson, St. Cloud (Minn.) College

Industrial Motor Control:
Andrew McCauley, Center of Applied Technology North, Severn, Md.; Dustin Horacek, North Central Kansas Technical College, Beloit

Internetworking: Kolton Drake, Dehryl A. Dennis Professional Technical Education Center, Boise, Idaho; Todd Moore, Texas State Technical College, Waco

Job Interview:
Kelley Hensley, A.C. Reynolds High School, Asheville, N.C.; Christina Woody, Lanier Technical College, Oakwood, Ga.

Job Skill Demonstration A:
Mandalyn Fullmer, Miami Valley Career Technology Center, Clayton, Ohio; Frank Cowgill, Pueblo (Colo.) Community College

Job Skill Demonstration B:
Caitlin Baughman, Franklin County Career and Technology Center, Chambersburg, Pa.; Shala Bussey, Augusta (Ga.) Technical College

Major Appliance Technology:
Jon McNabb, Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School, Marlborough, Mass.; Gerald Hoo Fung, Robert Morgan Educational Center, Miami, Fla.

Marine Service Technology:
Anthony Hemen, Lake Career and Technical Center, Camdenton, Mo.; Joseph Kagol, Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Detroit Lakes

Masonry:
Marcus Hefner, West Stanly High School, Oakboro, N.C.; Michael Wagner, Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades, Media, Pa.

Mechatronics:
Adam Leese and Tyler Becker, Four County Career Center, Archbold, Ohio; Randy Hansen and Adam Bierschbach, Alexandria (Minn.) Technical College

Medical Assisting:
Jake Shearer, Minuteman Regional High School, Lexington, Mass.; Abby Farmer, Guam Community College, Guam

Medical Math:
Michel Ong, Lake County High Schools Technology Campus, Grayslake, Ill.; Dao Ma, Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, Utah

Motorcycle Service Technology:
Joe Karvonen, West Fargo (N.D.) High School; Robert House, Fort Scott Community College/Harley, Frontenac, Kan.

Nail Care:
Aliss Guerrero, Grand Prairie (Texas)High School; Megan Wilcox, Davis Applied Technology Center, Kaysville, Utah

Nurse Assisting:
Amanda Cessna, Buckeye Career Center, New Philadelphia, Ohio; Heather Counts, Burdick Job Corps Center, Minot, N.D.

Occupational Health and Safety/Multiple:
(teams) Manatee Technical Institute, Bradenton, Fla. (high school and college/postsecondary divisions) Occupational Health and Safety/Single: (teams) Harris County High School, Hamilton, Ga.; Manatee Technical Institute, Bradenton, Fla.

Opening and Closing Ceremonies:
(teams) Harris County High School, Hamilton, Ga.; Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, Utah

Outstanding Chapter:
Grace Thompson, Calvert Career Center, Prince Frederick, Md.; Rebekah Withem, Saline County Career Center, Bauxite, Ark.

Photography:
Alex Uncapher, Eau Claire (Wis.)Memorial High School; Jake Penrose, Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, Utah

Plumbing:
Jeff Flores, Academy for Career Education, Reno, Nev.; Devin Provencal, Southern Maine Community College, South Portland

Power Equipment Technology:
Joshua Ramsey, Rockbridge County High School, Lexington, Va.; Jacob Tews, Alexandria (Minn.) Technical College

Practical Nursing:
Kaitlin Johnson, Delcastle Technical High School, Wilmington, Del.; Deanne Passman, Louisiana Technical College Sullivan Campus, Bogalusa

Precision Machining Technology:
Jon Welser, St. Clair Technical Education Center, Marysville, Mich.; Josh Bovey, Boise (Idaho) State University

Prepared Speech:
Lucy Swecker, Randolph Technical Center, Elkins, W. Va.; Jaclena Frerking, Linn (Mo.) State Technical College

Preschool Teaching Assistant:
Ashley Page, Lake County High Schools Technology Campus, Grayslake, Ill.; Ryan Baker, Gwinnett Technical College, Lawrenceville, Ga.

Principles of Technology:
Christopher Lamb, Meridian (Idaho) Charter High School, Andrea Adams, Spokane (Wash.) Community College

Promotional Bulletin Board:
Leanne Sakamoto, Mililani (Hawaii) High School; Esperanza Rivera and Luis Sanchez, East Los Angeles Occupational Center, Los Angeles

Quiz Bowl:
(teams) Norris High School, Firth, Neb.; Tennessee Technology Center at Athens

Radio (Audio) Production:
Kyle Fawks and Alyssa Galindo, Duncanville (Texas) High School; Lane Pell and Jonathan Arriola, College of Eastern Utah, Price

Related Technical Math:
Justin Baird, Sparta (Ill.) High School; Karl Kendall, Utah Valley State College, Orem, Utah

Residential Wiring:
Nathan Northup, Mid-America Technology Center, Wayne, Okla.; Jason Prete, Utah Valley State College, Orem, Utah

Robotics and Automation Technology:
Matthew Strauss and William Gomez, Norfolk (Va.) Technical Center; Vinicius Carvalheiro and Robert Simons, Utah Valley State College, Orem, Utah

Screen Printing Technology:
Kristy Sevener, Slinger (Wis.) High School; Phillip Ah You, Utah Valley State College, Orem, Utah

Sheet Metal:
Adam Alexander, Jackson (Mich.) Area Career Center; Kathryn Leslie, Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College, Ogden, Utah

TeamWorks:
(teams) Caldwell County Career Center, Hudson, N.C.; Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, Calif.

Technical Computer Applications:
Michael Christopher, Oakville Senior High School, St. Louis, Mo.; Travis Oostmeyer, Olympic College, Bremerton, Wash.

Technical Drafting:
Joe Ciccone, Morris Knolls High School, Rockaway, N.J.; Levi Wright, Lanier Technical College, Oakwood, Ga.

Tech Prep Showcase:
(gold standard) Bergen County Vocational-Technical School, Hackensack, N.J.; Bethlehem (Pa.) Vocational-Technical School (gold medals in two categories); Clay High School, Oregon, Ohio; Delcastle Technical High School, Wilmington, Del.; U.S. Grant Career Center, Bethel, Ohio; Greenville (Ohio) Senior High School; Howard High School of Technology, Wilmington, Del.; Kettering-Fairmont High School, Kettering, Ohio; Manatee Technical Institute, Bradenton, Fla.; San Elizario (Texas) High School; Toledo (Ohio) Technology Academy;

Telecommunications Cabling:
Daniel Ranallo, Gooding (Idaho) High School; Kary Wood, Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, Utah

Television (Video) Production:
Adrian Vasquez de Velasco and Tom Vestal, A&M Consolidated High School, College Station, Texas; Paul Hunt and LeGrand Hunsaker, Utah Valley State College, Orem, Utah

Television News Anchor/Reporter:
(teams) Gladys Porter High School, Brownsville, Texas; University of Texas at Brownsville Total Quality Management: (team) McCann Technical High School, North Adams, Mass.

Video Product Development:
Cody Curtin and Chris Nguyen, Benson Polytechnic High School, Portland, Ore.; Darren Wehmeyer and Charles Parsons, Cape Girardeau (Mo.) Career and Technology Center

Web Design:
Clark Milholland and Lydia Peri, Carson High School, Carson City, Nev.; Thomas Kugler and Heather Blake, North Valley Occupational Center, Mission Hills, Calif.

Welding:
Don DeGrandmont, Regional Technical Institute, Reno, Nev.; Joshua Steinbrecher, Wisconsin Technical College, Green Bay