THS’s Rachael Reilly takes third place in SkillsUSA Wisconsin cosmetology competition –

For the Tomahawk Leader

MADISON – Tomahawk High School (THS) student Rachael Reilly placed third in the cosmetology competition at the SkillsUSA Wisconsin Leadership and Skills Conference in Madison last week.

 Joss James of Mineral Point High School finished in first place, while Elkhorn Area High School’s Judy Rodrigues took second.

First-place finishers in numerous categories will compete at the 2024 National SkillsUSA Championships in Atlanta, Ga., in June.

The 51st annual event featured more than 1,500 middle school, high school and college/post-secondary students participating in over 80 skilled and technical trades competitions.

“Founded in 1973, SkillsUSA Wisconsin, with more than 2,300 members in over 140 chapters, is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working together to ensure America has the skilled workforce needed to stay competitive,” a release from SkillsUSA said. “The diverse talent pipeline covers 120 trades, technical and skilled service occupations, the majority science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-related.”

The release said more than 200 corporations, trade associations, businesses and labor unions actively support SkillsUSA Wisconsin. Programs are integrated into career and technical education through a framework of personal, workplace, and technical skills grounded in academics.

SkillsUSA also offers technical skill assessments and other workplace credentials, the release noted.

“Helping each student excel and a solution to shrinking the skills gap, SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations,” the release stated. “SkillsUSA empowers its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. SkillsUSA improves the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the development of framework skills that include personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics. The SkillsUSA mission is built upon – and its success depends on – the commitment of members and partners to the following values: integrity, respect, responsibility, citizenship and service.”

For more information on SkillsUSA Wisconsin, visit www.skillsusa-wi.org or email [email protected].