From left, Jaxen Halsey, Jase Kotrous, and Brayden Schafer display their gold medals after earning top honors in Welding Fabrication at the SkillsUSA Nebraska State Leadership and Skills Conference.
Students from Northeast Community College earned 32 medals at the SkillsUSA Nebraska State Leadership and Skills Conference, bringing home twenty-one gold, four silver, and seven bronze medals across a wide range of skilled and technical education competitions.
The annual conference showcases the talents of postsecondary students preparing for high-demand careers in construction, manufacturing, transportation, information technology, health sciences, and other technical fields. Students compete individually and in teams, demonstrating hands-on skills, problem-solving abilities, and professional competencies aligned with industry standards.
“Northeast students continue to excel in highly competitive, hands-on environments,” said Brad Ranslem, dean of applied technology. “These results reflect the strength of our career and technical education programs and the career-ready skills students develop through applied learning.”
Gold Medalists
- Early Childhood Education: Shayla Jean Jacobsen, Plainview
- Architectural Drafting: Mitchell Garret Siebrandt, Hoskins
- Crime Scene Investigation (Team C): Amy Vargas, Tekamah; Savina Tangeman, Norfolk; Nicole Mas, Norfolk
- Criminal Justice: Tabitha Andersson, Lincoln
- Motor Controls: Iker Mendoza, Schuyler
- Carpentry: Luke Hagedorn, West Point
- TeamWorks (Team A): Kyle Hubl, Guide Rock; Connor Korth, Belden; Baxter Beutler, Bancroft; Kreighton Simpson, Pierce
- Masonry: Creighton Friesen, Henderson
- Welding Fabrication: Jase Kotrous, Verdigre; Jaxen Halsey, Tilden; Brayden Schafer, Norfolk
- Technical Computer Applications: Colton D. Kallhoff, Yankton
- Cyber Security: Jeremiah C. Reimers, York; James T. Doyle, Osmond
- Internetworking: Titian Thompson, Norfolk
- Computer Programming: Nolan Abbott, Norfolk
Silver Medalists
- Early Childhood Education: Cassie Elaine Pfeifer, Lindsey
- Automotive Technology: Charles B. Egdorf, Ponca
- Mechatronics (Team B): Camdyn Hittner, Fremont; Cole Campbell, Fremont
- Electrical Construction Wiring: Easton Rystrom, Tilden
Bronze Medalists
- CNC 3-Axis Milling Programmer: Braden Adams, Wayne
- Motor Controls: Grant Boes, Valentine
- Masonry: Waylon McBride, Sargent
- Advertising Design: Bo Peyton Bockelman, Pierce
- Automotive Refinishing: Miranda L. Vanek, Prague
- Collision Repair Technology: Austin J. Hegemann, Howells
- Information Technology Services: Alberto Insua, Norfolk
SkillsUSA is a national organization that partners students, educators, and industry leaders to ensure America has a skilled workforce. The Nebraska State Leadership and Skills Conference provides students the opportunity to demonstrate their skills while being evaluated by industry professionals using real-world standards.
