Yuma, Arizona - The Arizona Western College SkillsUSA Student Chapter just returned from the 53rd annual National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC), a showcase of career and technical education students, in Louisville, KY from June 19-23, 2017. The students represented Arizona and AWC at the post-secondary level and competed nationally in their respective contest areas all week long.

The AWC teams demonstrated great skill leadership and team work as they participated in several written and performance testing events. At this national level, AWC students were competing against the top 2% of their peers.  Students winning at the state level and national participation and placement shows they have the skills to succeed.  New to this year’s chapter was the student team competing in Engineering Technology and Design.

“Our students did their very best and we are proud of what they accomplished. Each student has completed numerous hours of out of class preparation and team practice in anticipation for this event and demonstrated the best of the Matador spirit,” said Professor Sam Colton. “My thanks to all our faculty members who have contributed to our students’ education pathway.”

National Team/Contest Ranking:

Engineering Technology and Design: Pedro Obregon, Jesse Dominguez and Carlos Rivera-Ranked 7/7

Related Technical Math: Victor Cortez-Ranked 7/17

Welding Fabrication: Tanner DeHart, Christopher Buonincontri, Christophe Ornelas and Mr. Pedro Ordaz alternate-Ranked 11/24

Welding Sculpture: Guillermo Perales-Ranked 5/23