Madison Reporter

Madison College students have showcased commendable performances at the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference. A total of 27 students were awarded medals across 13 competitions, with 12 students earning a spot on Team Wisconsin C/PS. These students will advance to compete at the National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta from June 23-27.

Fifty-four students from Madison College participated in the two-day competition held from April 1-2 at the Alliant Energy Center and Expo Hall, participating in a total of 16 contests. The students celebrated victories in various categories, notably in welding fabrication, where both gold and silver medals were won.

Gray Buchanan earned gold in the cosmetology contest, with Allie Bell taking silver. Thomas Wozniak, a Madison College instructor and SkillsUSA coach, expressed pride in the students' dedication: "I am extremely proud of the hard work each of these students has invested in their education and training to reach this level of competition. I anticipate that we will bring back even more medals from Atlanta. I am also proud to collaborate with a passionate group of professionals dedicated to ensuring the best for these students.”

Emma Schwantes, Dani Casperson, and Adalie Balster were elected by their peers to the SkillsUSA state office, representing the Wisconsin association in the upcoming year as delegates in Atlanta.

Additionally, Instructor Aaron Stroot received recognition as the Advisor of the Year by SkillsUSA Wisconsin C/PS. The competition results in various categories include:

- Automotive Refinish Technology: Gold for Jeremy Radke, advised by Aaron Stroot.

- Baking and Pastry Arts: Gold for Aric Anderson and silver for Joslyn Sornson, under advisor Suzanne Daly.

- Collision Repair Technology: Silver for Klayton Dorn and bronze for Wyatt Leverenz, also advised by Aaron Stroot.

- Culinary: Gold for Javier Sanchez, advised by Irene Pawlisch.

- Diesel Equipment Technology: Gold for Ben Strupp and silver for Jake Anderson, advised by Aron Kershaw.

- Extemporaneous Speaking: Gold for Adalie Balster, advised by Craig Lathrop.

- Job Interview: Bronze for Elle May, advised by Craig Lathrop.

- Pin Design: Gold for Emma Schwantes, advised by Jon Helt.

- Technical Drafting: Gold for Broderick Miller and silver for Benjamin Linzer, advised by Jon Helt.

- Welding Sculpture: Bronze for Michael Stetten, advised by Al Weishoff.

- Welding Fabrication: Gold for Team B (Nick Acierno, Luke Gratz, Logan Hardyman, Asher Richter) advised by Al Weishoff, and silver for Team A (Spencer Harrington, Wyatt Lassa, Andri Rogel, Shannon Wink) advised by Jimmy Degidgo.

"I am extremely proud of the hard work each of these students has invested in their education and training to reach this level of competition," said Thomas Wozniak, a Madison College instructor and SkillsUSA coach. "I anticipate that we will bring back even more medals from Atlanta. I am also proud to collaborate with a passionate group of professionals dedicated to ensuring the best for these students.”