Northland Pioneer College (NPC), students studying in career and technical education fields won 13 medals during the SkillsUSA Arizona state competition on April 11 and 12, in Phoenix. Five students won gold medals and will advance to the national championship competition in Atlanta, Ga., June 19-24. Cosmetology student Sierra Hernandez, a Winslow student pursuing an associate of applied science (AAS) degree, qualified for nationals in two events, cosmetology and job interview. Tate Lewis, of Holbrook, also earned multiple medals, placing first in carpentry and second in the job skills competition. Lewis is working toward an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree from NPC. Another state champion, Ashley Sisco, is an AAS student at NPC’s Holbrook campus and will advance to the national competition after winning a gold medal in welding. Layla Cisco and Adriann Gardner are enrolled in NPC’s cosmetology program and earned gold medals in the job skills competition earning them a place at nationals. Cisco is from St. Johns and Gardner is from Eagar. Gardner also earned a bronze medal in the cosmetology competition. William Ebert, a welding student in Winslow took home a bronze medal in welding. Cosmetology student, Christi Rivera of Show Low, placed third in the job skills competition. Additionally, three high school (Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology, or NAVIT), students earned medals at SkillsUSA. Kyra Benally of Winslow placed second in cosmetology while Snowflake High School student Brighton Hatch earned third place in the related technical math competition. Another NAVIT student, Jose Mireles of St. Johns, earned a silver medal in welding sculpture. A total of 27 NPC students attended and competed in the state competition after earning a spot earlier this spring after placing first and earning gold medals in regional competitive events.