Over 20 AAPS students have earned the opportunity to compete in the 2026 state finals to prove they are leaders in a host of career and technical education (CTE) fields. Over recent weeks, CTE students from Homebuilding, Engineering, Auto, Cosmetology, and Culinary Arts put their talents to the test at the SkillsUSA Regional competitions. Competing in fields of up to 45 participants per category, these dedicated students secured top three or four finishes earning their spots in the state competition.
CTE and PLTW Director Tom Pachera says it’s exciting to see the students’ hard work paying off with this recognition. “The road to States is rigorous, requiring immense training and a deep mastery of trade industries. We are incredibly proud of these young professionals as they prepare to face Michigan’s best in Grand Rapids this April.”
Congratulations to our State Qualifiers:
- Carpentry: Jake Carnell (Pioneer) 1st Place, Kale Gadd – (Huron) 2nd Place
- Teamworks Construction: Kevin Chen – (Pioneer), Antoynette Hamilton (Pioneer), Eric Gomez-Ruiz (Pioneer), and Neila Shee (Community) 3rd Place
- Auto Electrical: Edward Lehto (Huron) 3rd Place and Tyler Kwiatkowski (Skyline) 1st place
- Automotive: Justin Zhou (Pioneer) 1st place – Mastertech
- Baking & Culinary: Liahni Quijada (Huron) 1st Place – Baking, Simon Fiser (Huron) 3rd Place – Culinary, and Erick Cornell (Pioneer) 4th Place – Culinary
- Engineering & Manufacturing: Jayin Gupta, Ben Alford, and Kristzi Njus (all from Pioneer) 3D Printing; Zachary Furlong and Aisha Tete (both from Huron) Additive Manufacturing
- Cosmetology: Aidelyn Rubio-Landeros (Pioneer) 1st place Senior Hair, Jose Garduño-Ronquiilo (Huron) 3rd place Senior Hair, Aliana Threlkeld (Natalie Sperendi model, both Skyline) 3rd place Makeup, Margaret Zakhary (Huron, Mariah Zeigler model, Community) 4th place Nails
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