Students from Moses Lake High School and the Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center have earned the opportunity to compete at the Washington State SkillsUSA Competition after strong performances at regional events.

SkillsUSA is a national organization that promotes career and technical education by giving students the opportunity to demonstrate real-world skills in competitions tied directly to industry careers. The events highlight the importance of skilled trades and technical professions that are essential to communities across Washington and across the country.

Several students from Moses Lake High School will represent the district at the state competition after qualifying in construction and welding-related events.

Moses Lake High School State Qualifiers

Carpentry – Individual
• Jacob Erlenmeyer
• Jackson Summers

TeamWorks (Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing, Masonry)
• Gavin Stillwell
• Jack Sanders
• Gabriel Castrejon
• Gideon Tuller

Welding & Fabrication Team
• Connor Nelson
• Carson Williamson
• JC Carmain

The TeamWorks competition requires students to collaborate on a complex construction project that incorporates multiple skilled trades including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and masonry. The event emphasizes both technical skill and teamwork—qualities that are critical in the construction and building industries.

In addition to MLHS qualifiers, students from the Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center also earned spots at the state competition across several career pathways.

Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center State Qualifiers

Culinary Arts
• Lillyanne Kappel-Baker

First Aid / CPR (Fire Services pathway)
• Jacob Girvan
• Katelyn Fretwell
• Conner Perkins

Welding Fabrication
• Trevor Booth
• Karson Kowallis
• Skyler Gilbert

Welding Sculpture
• Jeremiah Garza

Barbering
• Mario Gonzales

These programs provide hands-on training in high-demand career fields, giving students the opportunity to develop industry-ready skills while still in high school.

“Career and Technical Education not only prepares students for the workforce, but builds confidence in all students in areas that they will use to sustain themselves financially for the rest of their lives,” said Christine Armstrong, director of the Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center. “Events like SkillsUSA allow students to showcase what they’ve learned while gaining valuable experience that will serve them well in their future careers.”

Career and Technical Education programs across the Moses Lake School District and its regional partners are designed to prepare students for both college and career pathways, helping students discover their passions while developing skills that are highly valued by employers.

The Moses Lake School District congratulates all of the students who qualified and wishes them the best as they represent the community at the Washington State SkillsUSA Competition.