Madison College students take gold at SkillsUSA state competition

Published:

April 4, 2025

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Madison College students achieved remarkable success at the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference, winning medals and a trip to the national competition.

Twenty-seven students were awarded medals in 13 competitions, with 12 selected to join Team Wisconsin C/PS, who will compete from June 23-27 at the National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta, GA.

The competition was a challenging two-day event for 54 Madison College students participating in 16 contests at the 52nd Annual SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference held at the Alliant Energy Center and Expo Hall April 1-2.

Students in the SkillsUSA team (Welding Fabrication) pose with their gold and silver medals around their necks. — Teams celebrate their gold and silver medals in the welding fabrication category.

Students competing in the SkillsUSA cosmetology competition. Students are styling the hair of dummy models. — Gray Buchanan (left) won gold and Allie Bell (far right) took home a silver medal in the cosmetology competition.

"I am extremely proud of the hard work each of these students has invested in their education and training to reach this level of competition," said Thomas Wozniak, a Madison College instructor and SkillsUSA coach. I anticipate that we will bring back even more medals from Atlanta. I am also proud to collaborate with a passionate group of professionals dedicated to ensuring the best for these students.”

Students were thrilled to be part of the competition. Aric Anderson, who won gold in the bakery and arts division, said it was a valuable learning experience. “I got to apply everything I’ve been taught in class, from time management and precision to creativity and presentation," Anderson said. "This experience pushed me to improve my technical skills and really deepened my passion for baking.”

Three Madison College students were also elected to the SkillsUSA state office by their peers. Emma Schwantes (mechanical design), Dani Casperson (graphic design), and Adalie Balster (automotive technology) will represent the SkillsUSA Wisconsin C/PS association for the upcoming year. They will serve as delegates at the annual business meeting in Atlanta this June.

Auto Body/Collision instructor Aaron Stroot was also honored as the Advisor of the Year by SkillsUSA Wisconsin C/PS.

Competition Results:
Automotive Refinish Technology
GOLD – Jeremy Radke
Advisor, Aaron Stroot

Baking and Pastry Arts (NEW CONTEST for 2025)
GOLD – Aric Anderson
Silver – Joslyn Sornson
Advisor, Suzanne Daly

Collision Repair Technology
Silver – Klayton Dorn
Bronze – Colton Anderson
Advisor, Aaron Stroot

Cosmetology
GOLD – Gray Buchanan
Silver – Allie Bell
Advisor, Melissa Brainerd

The SkillsUSA baking and pastry arts competition featured silver medal winner Josyln Sornson and gold medal winner Aric Anderson.

Javier Sanchez took home gold in the culinary arts competition.

Culinary (NEW CONTEST for 2025)
GOLD – Javier Sanchez
Advisor, Irene Pawlisch

Diesel Equipment Technology
GOLD – Ben Strupp
Silver – Jake Anderson
Advisor, Aron Kershaw

Extemporaneous Speaking
GOLD – Adalie Balster
Advisor, Craig Lathrop

Job Interview
Bronze – Elle May
Advisor, Craig Lathrop

Pin Design
GOLD – Emma Schwantes
Advisor, Jon Helt

Technical Drafting
GOLD – Broderick Miller
Silver – Benjamin Linzer
Advisor, Jon Helt

Welding Sculpture
Bronze – Michael Stetten
Advisor, Al Weishoff

Welding Fabrication
GOLD – Team B
Nick Acierno
Luke Gratz
Logan Hardyman
Asher Richter
Advisor, Al Weishoff
Silver – Team A
Spencer Harrington
Wyatt Lassa
Andri Rogel
Shannon Wink
Advisor, Jimmy Degidgo

Jeremy Radke topped the competition with a gold in the automotive refinishing technology competition.