As Nelson Mandela once said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done” That’s what the Communication. & Technology in Education and Cosmetology students at Galveston Ball High School thought when preparing for the SkillsUSA State competition.
The competition entails a variety of career skills from Woodworking to Human Services. April 3rd Rowan Catarino, Angelina Martinez, and Tarris Woods presented their group project on Social Emotional Learning within Nonverbal Students to two judges. They also presented their project to locals and other contestants on April 4th. On April 5th, those students attended the SkillsUSA Awards Ceremony where every seat in the stadium was filled. They found out that they didn’t place for nationals, but they knew that this wouldn’t be the last SkillsUSA competition that they attended.
Junior Rowan Catarino stated that “Our State SkillsUSA Tournament in Corpus Christi was an illuminating experience, where my group and I were challenged with something that Ball High had never undergone before. Though I returned to Galveston without a gold medal, I was enriched with a golden heart for our education community and new, brighter ideas for next year!”
Sophomore Angelina Martinez said that “Even though we were skeptical of this competition since it hasn’t been done before at Ball High, I don’t regret my decision entering the competition. This event has helped in so many ways regarding social experience to professional experience. I can’t wait to join next year’s event with more competition experience, and career event entries.”
Junior Tarris Woods added that “Our State SkillsUSA Tournament in Corpus Christi was an experience that I will never forget. My teammates and I were first timers and with our hard work, made it to the State competition where we still gave it our all but unfortunately just missed the cut. Now with that experience, we’ve learned and hopefully next year we will be even more prepared to dominate and eventually go to Nationals.”
Another group that had also attended the SkillsUSA State competition was 12 of Keila Loredo’s Cosmetology students. Not only was it the first time for everyone to participate in this competition, but this is the first year Mrs. Loredo has been teaching at Ball High. Mrs. Loredo takes her students to the cosmetology college for two hours so they can learn in a respective area for them. Loredo’s students, Sheili Arriola, Lyea Cruz, Deissy Estrada, Dayana Santos placed with state Superior, Sindy Cordova, Kelin Garcia, Paola Lopez, Vanesa Lopez, Paulina Macias, Maria Maldonado, and Alexandra Santos placed with state excellence, and Kelly Juarez placed with state very good
As a collective they said “SkillsUSA was such an amazing competition. We got to see students’ talents who are in cosmetology, welding, mechanical and many more career paths. Everyone’s project was unique and amazing. We saw different ways we could’ve done our projects and we got many new ideas for next year. We also got inspiration to enter several different contests next year so we can have more chances to make it to Nationals. Not only did we get to experience Skill USA, but we had a chance to make memories as a team in Corpus Christi for state. We are proud to be a part of a new chapter of competitions and opportunities and represent Ball High School.
