Metro Tech Students Earn Top Accolades at SkillsUSA Oklahoma Competitions

More than 60 Metro Tech high school and adult students placed in the top three at the 2026 Oklahoma SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference in Tulsa, with several 1^st place winners earning qualification to compete at the national level in Atlanta this June. The annual competition, judged and overseen by industry professionals, highlights students' technical skills and career readiness across a wide range of CareerTech programs.

“Our students’ achievements at SkillsUSA reflect Metro Tech’s strong commitment to delivering high-quality career training that prepares students for real-world success,” said Aaron Collins, Superintendent and CEO of Metro Tech. “We are incredibly proud of our students, and this level of success would not be possible without the dedication of the instructors and supporters who coached, judged, transported, encouraged, and cheered them on every step of the way.”

Additionally, Metro Tech’s Entrepreneurship program earned the Gold Level Chapter of Distinction, while the Firefighter/EMT program received the Quality Chapter Award. Cosmetology adult student Sarah Grissom also represented Metro Tech in her role as Oklahoma SkillsUSA post-secondary president.

High school students competed in secondary divisions, while adult students participated in post-secondary (PS) divisions. Placements are listed by student name, program, and competitive event.

1^st Place, Gold

• Nathalie Lopez, Jillian Klein & Edwin Rodriguez, Graphic Design – Career Pathways: Arts & Communication
• Jesus Valles, Leslie Lopez & Marisol Ponce, Graphic Design – Career Pathways: Arts & Communication (PS)
• Cory Bobo, Messiah Cobb, & J’sean Witten, Entrepreneurship – Community Service
• Santiago Romera, Culinary – Culinary Arts
• Cason Alsup, Electrical Technology – Electrical Construction Wiring
• Joseph Langston Fingers, Favian Rubio, Filberto Gomez, & Andy Sac, Entrepreneurship – Entrepreneurship
• Maliiq Albers, Firefighter/EMT – Firefighting
• Anahi Garcia, Firefighter/EMT – Firefighting (PS)
• Kerbin Gutierrez, Project SEARCH – Job Readiness, Sandwich Making
• Bibiana Villegas, Project SEARCH – Job Readiness, Table Setting
• JaChristiana August, Cosmetology – Job Exhibit, Nail Art
• Aileen Ramirez, Douglass High School Cosmetology – Job Exhibit, Beauty & Nighttime Makeup
• Alejandra Ceniceros, Cosmetology – Job Exhibit, Branding (PS)

2^nd Place, Silver

• Paola Cruz, Michelle Paramo, Shaylee Ritter, Julisa Talamantes, D’Abriond Walton, Aileen Ramirez, & Joselyn Valtierra, Douglass High School Cosmetology – Opening & Closing Ceremonies
• Trinity Wilson, Cosmetology – Job Exhibit Fantasy Makeup
• Luz Maria Casas, Law Enforcement – First Aid/CPR
• Bradley Schantz, Firefighter/EMT – Firefighting (PS)
• Bryce Stoddard, Firefighter/EMT – Firefighting
• Kasey Lonnie, Project SEARCH – Table Setting
• Isaac Faulk, Project SEARCH – Job Readiness, Sandwich Making
• Ryan Tope, Project SEARCH – Job Readiness, Laundry Sorting & Folding
• Mary Williams, Project SEARCH – Job Readiness, Job Interview
• Mary Williams, Project SEARCH – Job Readiness, Cake Decorating
• Owen Guerra, Marilyn Zavala, Avanessa Paredes, & Kamila Auces, Entrepreneurship – Entrepreneurship
• Seacret Nunley, Law Enforcement – Criminal Justice (PS)
• Milagros Romo, Zoe Hurtado, & Valeria Garcia, Douglass High School Cosmetology – Career Pathways: Human Services
• Alexus Walquist, Graphic Design – Action Skills

3^rd Place, Bronze

• Gael Ortiz, Marcos Guerrero, & Kelly Santiago, Barbering – American Spirit
• Cristofer Mendoza, Barbering – Barbering
• Lena Braldey, Culinary Arts – Baking & Pastry (PS)
• Elicia Hernandez, Kelsey Toledo Vargas, & Elvin Castro, Firefighter/EMT – Career Pathways: Human Services
• Santos Maldonado, Culinary Arts – Culinary Arts (PS)
• Cross Williams, Firefighter/EMT – Firefighting
• Nataly Reyes Lorenzana, Firefighter/EMT – Firefighting (PS)
• Brian Mance, Project SEARCH – Job Readiness, Cake Decorating
• Issac Faulk, Project SEARCH – Job Readiness, Job Interview
• Joshua Banks, Project SEARCH – Job Readiness, Laundry Sorting & Folding
• Wyatt, Project SEARCH – Job Readiness, Sandwich Making
• Carmen Nelson, Cosmetology – Job Exhibit, Graphic Design Packaging (PS)
• Harris Rojas, Eliel Ochoa, & Abijah Lopez, Barbering – Promotional Bulletin Board (PS)
• Omar De La Rosa, Culinary Arts – Restaurant Service (PS)