Yuma Union High School District Career & Technical Education students from multiple Career & Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) advanced to their national competition following top finishes at their respective state conferences.
Overall, 35 individuals across all five comprehensive schools in YUHSD will travel to nationals to compete in 23 events.
“It’s amazing,” YUHSD Superintendent Gina Thompson said. “Our CTE programs have so much to be proud of, from their leadership development to their ability to bring so many state and national awards back home to Yuma County. When we talk about college, career, and community ready, these students are the prime example. Employers, you have the future of your companies going to school right here in your backyard.”
After two years of virtual competitions, or in some cases no events at all, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students competed in events in person for the first time since 2019. This spring, YUHSD sent 521 students to state-level competitions across six CTSOs. Future Farmers of America (FFA) holds their state conference later this summer, so there’s a strong possibility even more YUHSD students will advance to nationals.
"Going to Nationals was something I never thought I would be able to do, but now it's my second time going,” said San Luis High School senior Johana Cocio Gutierrez, who will travel to Educators Rising Nationals in Washington, DC. “Being in Educators Rising, has been a learning experience, and I will take a lot from it. Being part of Ed Rising and being able to compete, show my knowledge, and represent San Luis High School, has been one of the best things that has happened to me.”
Here are the students from each CTSO who advanced to nationals and the site of the national conference in parenthesis:
Educators Rising (Washington, DC)
- Dominick Camacho (two events), Cibola, Exploring Administration Careers AND Impromptu Lesson
- Valeria Vizcarra and Galilea Torres, Gila Ridge, Children’s Literature (Pre-K)
- Natalie Rosso, Destinee Bailey and Axiry Soto, Gila Ridge, ECE: Display of Theme Development
- Ahime Montanez, Iredi Cebreros-Corral, Emily Garcia and Faith Gaona, Kofa, Ethical Dilemma
- Max Schwitzing, Kofa, Impromptu Speaking
- Johana Cocio Gutierrez, San Luis, Job Interview
FBLA (Chicago, IL)
- Kassia Beard, Kofa, Introduction to Event Planning
- Diana Rodriguez, San Luis, Intro to Parliamentary
FCCLA (San Diego, CA)
- Jesus Torres, Cibola, Leadership
- Deijah Esquivel, Cibola, Culinary Math Management
- Rudy Garcia, Yuma High, Culinary Arts
HOSA (Nashville, TN)
- Alberto Bolanos, Gila Ridge, Pathophysiology
SkillsUSA (Atlanta, GA)
- Asya Guillen, Cibola, Criminal Justice
- Catherine Yanez, Nathalie Corral Gonzalez and Arely Madrigal, Cibola, CSI
- Madelina Macaluso, Gila Ridge, Welding Sculpture
- Patrick Smith, Luis Jauregui and John McMahen, Gila Ridge, Career Pathway Showcase
- Samantha Dahin, Kofa, Prepared Speech
- Cassandra Dahin, Kofa, Extemporaneous Speech
- Geminis Gonzalez, Kofa, Customer Service
- Alberto Barraza, Kofa, Building Maintenance
- Peter Sanchez and Carlo Melendres, San Luis, Robotic Search and Rescue
- Angel Bogarin Perez, Manuel Bogarin Perez and Julio Cabrera Ledesma, Yuma High, Chapter Display
