MHS student honored at SkillsUSA Nationals

Ellen Nguyen, a 2015 graduate of Maricopa High School, was honored at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference.

Industry leaders representing more than 600 businesses, corporations, trade associations and unions recognized students for demonstrating excellence in 100 hands-on occupational and leadership competitions, such as robotics, criminal justice, aviation maintenance and public speaking. All competitions are designed, run and judged by industry using industry standards.

Nguyen was awarded a Skill Point certificate in Culinary Arts.

Skill Point certificates were awarded in 86 occupational and leadership areas to students who achieved a high score defined by industry. The Skill Point certificates were introduced in 2009 as a component of the SkillsUSA Work Force Ready System.

Top student winners received gold, silver and bronze medallions. Many also received prizes such as tools of their trade or scholarships to further their careers and education.

The SkillsUSA Championships is for high-school and college-level students who are members of the 360,000-member SkillsUSA organization. SkillsUSA just completed a year-long 50th anniversary celebration.

***ADVERTISEMENT***"More than 6,000 students from every state in the nation came to compete in the SkillsUSA Championships," said SkillsUSA Executive Director Tim Lawrence. "This is the SkillsUSA partnership at its best. Students, instructors and industry representatives are working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce and every student excels. These students prove that career and technical education expands opportunities."

According to the U.S. Department of Education, students who take three or more career and technical education (CTE) programs in high school are more likely to attend college and stay there to graduate. Visit www.workforcereadysystem.com.