Students from Northeast Community College earned 32 medals at the SkillsUSA Nebraska State Leadership and Skills Conference, bringing home 21 gold, four silver, and seven bronze medals across a wide range of skilled and technical education competitions.
The annual conference showcases the talents of postsecondary students preparing for high-demand careers in construction, manufacturing, transportation, information technology, health sciences, and other technical fields. Students compete individually and in teams, demonstrating hands-on skills, problem-solving abilities, and professional competencies aligned with industry standards.
“Northeast students continue to excel in highly competitive, hands-on environments,” said Brad Ranslem, dean of applied technology. “These results reflect the strength of our career and technical education programs and the career-ready skills students develop through applied learning.”
Gold Medalists include:
Early Childhood Education: Shayla Jean Jacobsen, Plainview;
Architectural Drafting: Mitchell Garret Siebrandt, Hoskins;
Crime Scene Investigation (Team C): Amy Vargas, Tekamah; Savina Tangeman, Norfolk; Nicole Mas, Norfolk;
Criminal Justice: Tabitha Andersson, Lincoln;
Motor Controls: Iker Mendoza, Schuyler;
Carpentry: Luke Hagedorn, West Point;
TeamWorks (Team A): Kyle Hubl, Guide Rock; Connor Korth, Belden; Baxter Beutler, Bancroft; Kreighton Simpson, Pierce;
Masonry: Creighton Friesen, Henderson;
Welding Fabrication: Jase Kotrous, Verdigre; Jaxen Halsey, Tilden; Brayden Schafer, Norfolk;
Technical Computer Applications: Colton D. Kallhoff, Yankton;
Cyber Security: Jeremiah C. Reimers, York; James T. Doyle, Osmond;
Internetworking: Titian Thompson, Norfolk;
Computer Programming: Nolan Abbott, Norfolk.
Silver Medalists included:
Early Childhood Education: Cassie Elaine Pfeifer, Lindsey;
Automotive Technology: Charles B. Egdorf, Ponca;
Mechatronics (Team B): Camdyn Hittner, Fremont; Cole Campbell, Fremont;
Electrical Construction Wiring: Easton Rystrom, Tilden.
Bronze Medalists included:
CNC 3-Axis Milling Programmer: Braden Adams, Wayne;
Motor Controls: Grant Boes, Valentine;
Masonry: Waylon McBride, Sargent;
Advertising Design: Bo Peyton Bockelman, Pierce;
Automotive Refinishing: Miranda L. Vanek, Prague;
Collision Repair Technology: Austin J. Hegemann, Howells;
Information Technology Services: Alberto Insua, Norfolk.
SkillsUSA is a national organization that partners students, educators, and industry leaders to ensure America has a skilled workforce. The Nebraska State Leadership and Skills Conference provides students the opportunity to demonstrate their skills while being evaluated by industry professionals using real-world standards.
