They proved they were the best in the state of Indiana, and four of our SkillsUSA competitors found out they were nationally proven, as well.
Three cosmetology and one technology student from Fairfield’s CTE programs took part in the 2024 SkillsUSA Nationals showcases in Atlanta this past week and had quite a week of experiences and results.
Two of our cosmetology students - Audra Yoder and Olivia Siri - were top five in the country in their disciplines and the other - Elise Schwartz - landed in the top 10 in her field. Our IT competitor - Caleb Borkholder - was in the top 20 in his appearance, giving Fairfield an unbelievable showing on the national stage.
“There is nothing more I could ask for from these three kids,” said Fairfield cosmetology instructor Lisa Firestone Monday morning, having just returned from Atlanta. “They gave 100 percent, they are all coachable kids, everything that you could ever want from a group competing at that level. It did hurt a little to not win and be that close. But when you think about it, you place in the top five twice and the other was in the top 10 in the country, that’s a fantastic accomplishment and a big, big deal.”
Firestone noted there were approximately 10,000 students representing 150 categories at the SkillsUSA Nationals, all having won first place in their respective skill sets in their home states. The week-long competition series had an orientation period lead into written and oral exams through Tuesday, where Yoder and Siri advanced to the final rounds on Wednesday and Thursday. The busiest day was Thursday, where Yoder and Siri were part of an eight-hour marathon of activities, which had both earn Honorary Certificates with Siri fourth in the country in Nails at 94.78 percent proficient, and Yoder fifth in the country in Cosmetology at 93.3 percent proficient.
Schwartz was eighth among 40 finalists in Job Demo Open focusing on esthetics and Borkholder was 20th overall in Information Technology Services.
The week, which also included other national excitement with the US Men’s National Soccer Team playing Panama in Copa America just across the street from the convention center, and the Biden-Trump debate taking place a few blocks away, Firestone noted there was never a dull moment on the trip.
“When you think about just how many people were competing, but then all of the other things going on around here, that was quite a week,” Firestone said. “This experience is one I’m sure they won’t forget.”