Academies of Loudoun students attended the State and National SkillsUSA conferences this year achieving wide recognition for leadership, communication and service. Students first attended the 59th annual SkillsUSA Virginia State Leadership Conference and Skills Championship in the spring. LCPS participants included one welding student, seven administration of justice students, and thirty-four graphic communication students. The event produced stellar results, with the Academies receiving 13 banners, a gold chapter of excellence, 18 gold medals, 15 silver medals, two bronze medals, two state officers and a trophy for most medals with five or fewer programs represented.
Students were accompanied by their dedicated staff advisors, Deborah Tripp from Graphic Communications, Damon Putman from Welding, and Paul McKenzie from Administrators of Justice, who helped guide and support their achievements.
Following the Virginia State Championships, eight students competed in the National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) in Atlanta, Georgia, the nation's largest showcase of skilled trades. Academies competed in the Career Pathways Showcase in Arts and Communication, Graphic Sublimation and Graphic Communications. Four students joined The National Courtesy Corps, a leading group of high school and post-high school students, advisors and chaperones delegates; two students serving as state officers participated as national delegates and represented Virginia as delegates met to introduce, debate, modify or vote on governing the affairs associated with the organization bylaws.
Student participants and distinguished honors include:
State officers: Maryam Baroka, state president 2024-2025 & Abbe Hardin, state secretary 2024-2025;
Graphic Communications Competition: Nathan Sallee placed third in the nation;
Courtesy Corps: Joey Cotsimopouls
Career Pathways Showcase - Arts & Communication Team: Thomas Mazeika, Ayan Chohan, and Amy Tran
Graphic Imaging Sublimation: Madeline Rhodes.
Community Service Competition: Thomas Mazeika, Ayan Chohan, and Amy Tran, Madeline Rhodes and Nathan Sallee
SkillsUSA is the number one workforce development organization for students and empowers participants to become skilled professionals and career-ready community leaders. More than 16,000 students, teachers, education leaders, and representatives from 850 national corporations, trade associations, businesses and labor unions participate.
NLSC is the nation's largest workforce development event for public career and technical education students. The 2024 conference, presented by Aerotek, is considered the largest skill competition in the world and the single largest day of industry volunteerism in America.
Published July 24, 2024