SkillsUSA Illinois - 2024
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Launch the media gallery 1 player - media #2Indian Valley Vocational Center is a proud member of the SkillsUSA Organization. SkillsUSA stands as the premier workforce development organization for students, fostering their journey towards becoming proficient professionals, poised leaders in their careers, and conscientious contributors to their communities. By becoming a member of the SkillsUSA IVVC Chapter, our students make a commitment to engage in activities that highlight not only their technical skills, but also their workplace and personal skills. This is a huge time commitment for the students, as their practices and training are in addition to their regular class work.
We are thrilled to report we had 119 members this year! In addition, we had students from every program area join our crew. Such growth for IVVC! Students worked hard all year and on April 25th, we were able to send 54 of our IVVC students to compete in their skilled trade area at the SkillsUSA Illinois Championships in Peoria, IL. We are proud to say that our students brought home 15 medals in 9 different program areas! We consider that a huge success!
We checked in with some of our competitors and here’s what they had to say about their time at SkillsUSA Illinois!
“The people I met there and along the way were the best part of SkillsUSA.” - Connor Gutrhie, EMS, Yorkville Junior
“Sacrifice reveals what one’s heart desires. SkillsUSA has shown me where my heart lies.” - Charis Davidson, CNA, Plano Senior
“SkillsUSA has opened a Golden Door of Dreams, and I will ALWAYS chase my dreams.” - Joseph Wengren, Automotive Technology, Sandwich Junior
“SkillsUSA was an amazing experience. I learned a lot and enjoyed meeting similar people!” - Addi Kolkmeyer, Graphic Design, Yorkville Junior
“My favorite part of Skills was the competition, working the hardest I could and seeing how it paid off.” - John Carlson, Fire Science, Sandwich Senior
IVVC is proud to recognize and congratulate all of our medalists:
Diego Casas, a Junior from Yorkville High School - Currently enrolled in Construction Trades took home a BRONZE MEDAL in MASONRY. Samuel Calderon II and Jacob Perry, both Juniors from Sandwich High School - Both currently enrolled in Computer Programming took home a BRONZE MEDAL in Audio Visual Production. Charis Davidson, a Senior from Plano High School - Currently enrolled in CNA took home both a SILVER MEDAL in Practical Nursing and GOLD MEDAL in Medical Terminology. Evan Rhody, a Junior from Yorkville High School - Currently enrolled in Computer Technology took home a BRONZE MEDAL in Information Technology Services. Alana Morgan, a Senior from Indian Creek High School - Currently enrolled in Sports Medicine took home a SILVER MEDAL in Job Skills Demonstration - Open. Matt Rainford, a Junior from Hinckley-Big Rock High School - Currently enrolled in Graphic Design took home a SILVER MEDAL in Advertising Design. Joseph Wengren, a Junior at Sandwich High School - Currently enrolled in Automotive Technology took home a BRONZE MEDAL in Maintenance and Light Repair Automobile. Brandon Iskowitz, a Senior at Sandwich High School - Currently enrolled in Automotive Technology took home a GOLD MEDAL in Maintenance and Light Repair Automobile. Brandon Moore, a Senior at Sandwich High School - Currently enrolled in Construction Trades took home a GOLD Medal in Carpentry. Cheyenne Fay, a Senior at Indian Creek High School - Currently enrolled in EMS took home a BRONZE MEDAL in First Aid/CPR. Connor Guthrie, a Junior at Yorkville High School - Currently enrolled in EMS took home a GOLD MEDAL in First Aid/CPR. Nolan Green, a Senior at Yorkville High School - Currently enrolled in Welding & Fabrication took home a SILVER MEDAL in Welding Sculpture. Logan Tuymer, a Senior at Yorkville High School - Currently enrolled in Welding & Fabrication took home a BRONZE MEDAL in Welding Sculpture.
WooHoo!! Congratulations to all our medalists! Your hard work, dedication and perseverance paid off. Next on our agenda is the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta, Georgia where our Gold Medalists will be competing with the best of the best across the United States! Stay tuned on social media for updates as the students prepare for their next adventure!
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our sponsors without which we would not have been able to send this many students to the SkillsUSA Illinois Conference. Your support means the world to us!!
Stahl’s Service & Repair
Independent Renewal Energy
Kendall Printing
Weldstar
Strange Engineering
Just In Time Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing
A&B Exteriors
All Points Printing, LLC
Wehrli Custom Fabrication
Liebovich Steel & Aluminum Co.
Heartland Bank and Trust
NSG Construction
Jimmy Johns
Vermeer
Rosati’s Pizza
Little Rock Jewelers