Photo courtesy of Northland Pioneer CollegeStudents and staff from Northland Pioneer College attended the SkillsUSA National Competition in Atlanta, Ga. in June. Pictured are (front row, left to right) cosmetology student Sierra Hernandez, cosmetology Bronze Medalist Adriann Gardner, NPC cosmetology faculty Ferryn Sam and Autom Christensen, welding student Ashley Sisco, (back row) NPC faculty in construction Jorge Meza, NPC welding faculty Jim Leslie, NPC Director of CTE Program Development & Sustainability Frank Pinnell and welding student Tate Lewis.
Photo courtesy of Northland Pioneer CollegeStudents and staff from Northland Pioneer College attended the SkillsUSA National Competition in Atlanta, Ga. in June. Pictured are (front row, left to right) cosmetology student Sierra Hernandez, cosmetology Bronze Medalist Adriann Gardner, NPC cosmetology faculty Ferryn Sam and Autom Christensen, welding student Ashley Sisco, (back row) NPC faculty in construction Jorge Meza, NPC welding faculty Jim Leslie, NPC Director of CTE Program Development & Sustainability Frank Pinnell and welding student Tate Lewis.

Northland Pioneer College (NPC) student Adriann Gardner of Eagar, a cosmetology student, recently earned a third-place, bronze medal in the job skills category at the SkillsUSA national competition, held in Atlanta, Ga., from June 19-24. Gardner earned a gold medal in the category of job skills-open, at both the regional and state levels, earning her a spot at SkillsUSA nationals. The competition required performing a detailed demonstration with a clear explanation using displays and practical tasks. Three NPC students joined Gardner in representing NPC. Fellow cosmetology student Sierra Hernandez, of Winslow, and Tate Lewis (construction), and Ashley Sisco (welding), of Holbrook also competed during the weeklong event. They each placed among the top 30 within their respective competitions. They joined a total of 395 competitors from across Arizona and thousands of others from 54 U.S. states and affiliate territories. SkillsUSA competitions sharpen student participants’ high-level technical skills while ensuring they meet current trade and industry standards. The SkillsUSA national event is the ultimate recognition of excellence in technical skills and showcases the nation’s best career and technical education students. According to Frank Pinnell, SkillsUSA coordinator, and NPC Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program Development & Sustainability, NPC students took their competitions very seriously. “They excelled in communicating with people they didn’t know and spent time networking with other students, the judges, and industry leaders to learn more about their trade and how to better themselves,” he explains. “What impresses me most about these events, is how students get to see the big picture of how their skills affect the world,” he says. Northland Pioneer College will host a one-day leadership training event this fall. The event will prepare and engage students from around the region for SkillsUSA activities for the upcoming academic year. In addition, NPC’s Show Low campus will host the SkillsUSA Regional Competition on Feb. 8 and 9, 2024. The state SkillsUSA competition is scheduled for March 28 and 29, in Phoenix. For more information on SkillsUSA, or for more information on NPC’s Career and Technical Education programs, contact Frank Pinnell at frank.pinnell@npc.edu or visit www.npc.edu.