LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Several local students will attend the state Skills USA competition.

In February, the Skills USA Region 1 Competition took place in Petaluma.

Four Lower Lake High students earned gold medals.

Marchal Anderson received the gold for early childhood education, Roy Ingalls Jr. received the gold in MIG welding, Leslie Fernandez received the gold in culinary arts and Alvaro Sepulveda received the gold in automotive service technology.

These students automatically go on to state competition in San Diego in April. The gold medalist at the state level will advance to the national competition in Kansas City in June.

With the help of their ROP teachers and volunteers, each student competed in a skills assessment where they were able to showcase their knowledge.

For example, Anderson demonstrated a project utilizing fine motor skills that she has practiced with a kindergarten class at Lower Lake Elementary School as part of her ECE class with Pam Inman.

Anderson picked the “snowman” project from a creative materials class that she recently took at Yuba College.

In the culinary arts competition, Fernandez demonstrated her knowledge and skills through the production of a four-course menu in a full day competition.

She was rated on organization, knife skills (including breaking down an entire chicken), cooking techniques, creative presentations, sanitation food safety techniques and the quality and flavor of her food.   

As a senior, Fernandez will take her experience from Skills USA with her next year as she attends the Art Institute in Sacramento.

For many of these students, it was their first year competing in the Skill USA event. Lower classmen such as Ingalls and Sepulveda have already expressed their desire to continue with the competition next year.

This unique competition allows students to showcase their industry skills and knowledge, while also showcasing their school’s support for Regional Occupational Programs (ROPs).  

Upper Lake High School also will be sending students to the next round of competition in San Diego.

Silver medalist Michael Herringshaw and Brandon Perry will join gold medalist Anthony Brackett and Larry Stacy as they defend their robotics title with instructor Gary Madison.  

Skills USA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations.

In Lake County two high schools have active Skills USA clubs – Lower Lake and Upper Lake high schools. Students participating must learn and practice a trade, with the added requirement of learning presentation and interview skills.

Participation in the Skills USA competition is optional. Teachers at Lower Lake and Upper Lake High spend a tremendous amount of time assisting and encouraging those that want to compete.

Teachers and students will be making the journey to San Diego in April in the hopes of bringing home additional medals.

If you would like to help support them as they represent Lake County, please contact Laura Hutchinson at Lower Lake High School, 707-994-6471m or Gary Madison at Upper Lake High School, 707-275-2338.