Central Illinois Students Earn Top Honors at SkillsUSA State Champs

PEORIA -- Students from across Central Illinois earned high praise and top honors at the 2025 SkillsUSA Illinois Championships, held recently in Peoria. Representing a variety of technical education programs, these students demonstrated exceptional talent and skill in contests ranging from welding and construction to culinary arts and emergency services.

The annual SkillsUSA Illinois Championships drew more than 2,000 student competitors from high schools and colleges around the state. Held over several days, the event challenged students in more than 100 different hands-on, real-world contests, each aligned with national industry standards and judged by experienced professionals.

“This year’s championships showed the extraordinary caliber of students we have in Illinois,” said Eric Hill, Executive Director of SkillsUSA Illinois. “From small towns to urban centers, our students are ready to lead and succeed. Their accomplishments are a testament to the strength of career and technical education programs and the dedicated educators who guide them.”

Students from Central Illinois schools such as Pekin Community High School, Canton High School, and Olympia High School captured medals in competitive areas such as early childhood education, team engineering, and firefighting. These achievements highlight the growing impact of SkillsUSA programs in smaller communities and the deepening support for career readiness across the region.

Central Illinois’s strong performance ensures the region will be well-represented at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference this summer in Atlanta, where gold medalists will compete against peers from all 50 states. The national event offers an even greater platform for students to showcase their technical expertise and professionalism.

SkillsUSA competitions don’t just prepare students for careers—they help them discover purpose, passion, and pathways forward. Through these events, participants learn teamwork, communication, and confidence—skills essential for success in any industry.

For more information, visit the SkillsUSA Illinois Championships page at www.skillsusaillinois.org/championships.

Results:

Bloomington Area Career Center (Bloomington) (Central IL)

Legislators:

• Senate: Sen. Dave Koehler, Sen. Sally Turner

• House: Rep. Dan Caulkins, Rep. Sharon Chung

Students:

• Ayla Ragains – Baking and Pastry Arts (3rd Place)

• Lauren Nichols – Crime Scene Investigation (1st Place)

• Alexis Cabanaw-Martinez – Crime Scene Investigation (1st Place)

• Madison Dunham – Crime Scene Investigation (1st Place)

• Kaylee Farley – Crime Scene Investigation (3rd Place)

• Austin Kessinger – Crime Scene Investigation (3rd Place)

• Millicent Thornton – Crime Scene Investigation (3rd Place)

• Michaela Walker – Cyber Security (3rd Place)

• Lincoln Edwards – Cyber Security (3rd Place)

• Sean Obermeyer – Medical Terminology (3rd Place)

• Joslynn Casperson – Nurse Assisting (3rd Place)

• Lincoln Edwards – Technical Computer Applications (1st Place)

• Brendon Simpson – T-Shirt Design (2nd Place)

Bunker Hill High School (Bunker Hill) (Central IL)

Legislators:

• Senate: Sen. Jil Tracy, Sen. Steve McClure

• House: Rep. CD Davidsmeyer, Rep. Wayne Rosenthal

Students:

• Chris Chapman – Motorcycle Service Technology (1st Place)

Capital Area Career Center (Springfield) (Central IL)

Legislators:

• Senate: Sen. Doris Turner, Sen. Steve McClure

• House: Rep. Mike Coffey, Rep. Sue Scherer

Students:

• Samantha Shankland – Nurse Assisting (1st Place)

• Kinleigh Brummett – Photography (3rd Place)

• Shayla Robinson – Sheet Metal (1st Place)

Clinton High School (Clinton) (Central IL)

Legislators:

• Senate: Sen. Sally Turner

• House: Rep. Bill Hauter

Students:

• Taylor Anderson – Aviation Maintenance Technology (1st Place)

• Sophie Thrasher – Job Skill Demonstration OPEN (3rd Place)

• Savannah Wheeler – Robotics: Urban Search and Rescue (3rd Place)

• Owen Rexshell – Robotics: Urban Search and Rescue (3rd Place)

Clinton Junior High School (Clinton) (Central IL)

Legislators:

• Senate: Sen. Sally Turner

• House: Rep. Bill Hauter

Students:

• Lillian Hammer – Extemporaneous Speaking (1st Place)

• Lillian Hammer – Job Skill Demonstration OPEN (1st Place)

• Jackson Jones – Job Skill Demonstration OPEN (3rd Place)

• Charlotte Tripp – Prepared Speech (1st Place)

• Calvin French – Robotics: Urban Search and Rescue (2nd Place)

• Michael Retzer – Robotics: Urban Search and Rescue (2nd Place)

• Lillian Hammer – Team Engineering Challenge (1st Place)

• Jackson Jones – Team Engineering Challenge (1st Place)

• Brylie Morrison – Team Engineering Challenge (1st Place)

• Charlotte Tripp – Team Engineering Challenge (2nd Place)

• Jenna Groves – Team Engineering Challenge (2nd Place)

• Cari Aughenbaugh – Team Engineering Challenge (2nd Place)

• Brylie Morrison – T-Shirt Design (1st Place)

• Jenna Groves – T-Shirt Design (2nd Place)

Eureka High School (Eureka) (Central IL)

Legislators:

• Senate: Sen. Chris Balkema

• House: Rep. Dennis Tipsword

Students:

• Jesse Schumacher – Diesel Equipment Technology (1st Place)

• Reagan Dotterer – TeamWorks (1st Place)

• Tory Kupferschmid – TeamWorks (1st Place)

• Austin Gerber – TeamWorks (1st Place)

• Micah Hoffman – TeamWorks (1st Place)

Heartland Community College (Normal) (Central IL)

Legislators:

• Senate: Sen. Dave Koehler

• House: Rep. Sharon Chung

Students:

• Tallon Short – Advertising Design (2nd Place)

• Nick Mock – Mechatronics (1st Place)

• Matthew Marciniak – Mechatronics (1st Place)

• Damon Keister – Motorcycle Service Technology (1st Place)

• Zeke Mendez – Photography (1st Place)

• Cami Nowlin – Pin Design (3rd Place)

• Damon Keister – Principles of Engineering-Technology (1st Place)

• Andy Irving – Telecommunication Cabling (2nd Place)

• Cami Nowlin – T-Shirt Design (1st Place)

• Tallon Short – T-Shirt Design (3rd Place)

Illinois Central College (East Peoria) (Central IL)

Legislators:

• Senate: Sen. Chris Balkema, Sen. Dave Koehler

• House: Rep. Dennis Tipsword, Rep. Sharon Chung

Students:

• Trevor Vincent – Advertising Design (1st Place)

• Denise Solano – Computer Programming (1st Place)

• Carter Williamson – Cyber Security (1st Place)

• Ronan Scott – Cyber Security (1st Place)

• Wiley Noah – Diesel Equipment Technology (1st Place)

• Whitman Ethan – Diesel Equipment Technology (2nd Place)

• Tyler Robenstein – Diesel Equipment Technology (3rd Place)

• Marshal Pruitt – Extemporaneous Speaking (1st Place)

• Tyler Robenstein – Heavy Equipment Operator (1st Place)

• Whitman Ethan – Heavy Equipment Operator (2nd Place)

• Zane Scott – Information Technology Services (1st Place)

• Trevor Vincent – Pin Design (1st Place)

• Marshal Pruitt – Pin Design (2nd Place)

• Marshal Pruitt – Telecommunication Cabling (1st Place)

• Marshal Pruitt – T-Shirt Design (2nd Place)

• Terry McMullen – Welding Fabrication (1st Place)

• Christian Pilkington – Welding Fabrication (1st Place)

• Damien Mason – Welding Fabrication (1st Place)

• Liam Maupin – Welding Fabrication (2nd Place)

• Carson Overton – Welding Fabrication (2nd Place)

• Bradyn Urfer – Welding Fabrication (2nd Place)

• Ethan Tipton – Welding Fabrication (3rd Place)

• Hayden Steinseifer – Welding Fabrication (3rd Place)

• Carson Bryant – Welding Fabrication (3rd Place)

Lincoln Land Community College (Springfield) (Central IL)

Legislators:

• Senate: Sen. Doris Turner, Sen. Steve McClure

• House: Rep. Mike Coffey, Rep. Sue Scherer

Students:

• Mary Wichman – Baking and Pastry Arts (1st Place)

• Gabriel Sarabia – Culinary Arts (3rd Place)

• Garrett Sheehan – Heavy Equipment Operator (3rd Place)

Livingston Area Career Center (Pontiac) (Central IL)

Legislators:

• Senate: Sen. Chris Balkema

• House: Rep. Dennis Tipsword

Students:

• Brooke Burger – Criminal Justice (2nd Place)

• Tristan Kindred – Diesel Equipment Technology (2nd Place)

• Tanner Stych – Heavy Equipment Operator (2nd Place)

• Gabriel Thoman – Internetworking (1st Place)

• Talen Erschen – Internetworking (2nd Place)

• Joseph Tiller – Internetworking (3rd Place)

• Averi Jury – Teaching and Learning Professional Portfolio - Illinois (1st Place)

• Calla Spandet – Welding Sculpture (2nd Place)

Metamora Township High School (Metamora) (Central IL)

Legislators:

• Senate: Sen. Chris Balkema

• House: Rep. Dennis Tipsword

Students:

• Ashton Tate – Creative Photography Display - Illinois (2nd Place)

• Brennan Tabor – Electronics Technology (1st Place)

Morton High School (Morton) (Central IL)

Legislators:

• Senate: Sen. Dave Koehler, Sen. Sally Turner

• House: Rep. Bill Hauter, Rep. Sharon Chung

Students:

• Emma Belsly – Additive Manufacturing (2nd Place)

• Ethan Cross – Additive Manufacturing (2nd Place)

• Sarah Saunders – Additive Manufacturing (3rd Place)

• Sophia Anderson – Additive Manufacturing (3rd Place)

• Emma Belsly – American Spirit (1st Place)

• Mila Cronkleton – American Spirit (1st Place)

• Tessa Fitzgerald – American Spirit (1st Place)

• Drake Saunders – Commercial sUAS Drone (1st Place)

• Alexander Rose – Commercial sUAS Drone (1st Place)

• Owen Beccue – Diesel Equipment Technology (3rd Place)

• Sean Stenger – Interactive Application and Video Game Creation (2nd Place)

• Kevin Vo – Interactive Application and Video Game Creation (2nd Place)

Pekin Community High School (Pekin) (Central IL)

Legislators:

• Senate: Sen. Neil Anderson

• House: Rep. Travis Weaver

Students:

• Jennah Vickers – Advertising Design (1st Place)

• Michael Cate – Advertising Design (3rd Place)

• Gabe Schwermin – Commercial sUAS Drone (2nd Place)

• LOGAN SKOCAJ – Commercial sUAS Drone (2nd Place)

• Maximus Helmig – Creative Photography Display - Illinois (1st Place)

• Alexander Holmes – Digital Cinema Production (1st Place)

• Landon Gaudet – Digital Cinema Production (1st Place)

• Michael Cate – Graphic Communications (2nd Place)

• Michael Cate – Graphic Imaging Sublimation (2nd Place)

• JENNAH VICKERS – Graphic Imaging Sublimation (3rd Place)

• Maximus Helmig – Photography (1st Place)

• Sophia Haynes – Photography (2nd Place)

• Carter Owens – Pin Design (1st Place)

• Jennah Vickers – Pin Design (2nd Place)

• Carter Owens – T-Shirt Design (1st Place)

Peoria Public Schools (Peoria) (Central IL)

Legislators:

• Senate: Sen. Dave Koehler

• House: Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, Rep. Ryan Spain

Students:

• Akiyiah Lindsay – Action Skills (3rd Place)

• Maurice Johnson – American Spirit (3rd Place)

• Amar Thomas – American Spirit (3rd Place)

• Christopher Wisner – American Spirit (3rd Place)

• Lailah Hughes – Career Pathways Showcase: Health Services (3rd Place)

• Coby Jones – Career Pathways Showcase: Health Services (3rd Place)

• Brooklyn Patterson – Career Pathways Showcase: Health Services (3rd Place)

• Ava Simms – Career Pathways Showcase: Human Services (1st Place)

• Kylie Varnell – Career Pathways Showcase: Human Services (1st Place)

• Jazz Williams – Career Pathways Showcase: Human Services (1st Place)

• Camrin Whitfield – Culinary Arts (2nd Place)

• Shaun Anderson – Culinary Arts (3rd Place)