Students from Pulaski County High School’s Career and Technical Education programs are headed to the coast this spring after an impressive performance at the District VII SkillsUSA skills contests.
SkillsUSA is more than just a competition; it is a 60-year-old national movement that connects students, teachers, and industry to ensure America has a skilled workforce.
In 2025, the organization celebrated its 60th anniversary, having served more than 15 million members since its inception.
Before it was SkillsUSA, the organization was known as VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America).
The winning students secured their spots for the Virginia SkillsUSA State Conference, scheduled for May 9-11 in Virginia Beach, after sweeping top honors in cosmetology and media production categories.
In the Total Fantasy Look competition, the PCHS Cosmetology program’s team took first place. The team, composed of Ellie Macdonald, Carla Davidson, and Kailee Simmers, is led by instructor Mrs. Judith Anderson.
The PCHS TV/Media Production program, led by instructor Mr. David Gravely, saw a podium sweep in the TV Video News Production contest. District Team #1, featuring Jaylin Arnold, Colby Gill, Leo Schreiber, and JP Ferguson, earned first place. They were followed closely by District Team #2, consisting of Nathaniel Lohrmann, Adam Eversole, Preston Quesenberry, and Aiden Gilbert, who took second place.
Gill, Arnold, Lohrmann, and Eversole were a part of the team last year when the TV/Media Production class returned to competition after an absence.
Beyond the skills competitions, PCHS was represented in the district’s leadership ranks by Hailey Milstead. A Cosmetology I student and current District VII secretary, Milstead helped conduct the opening and closing ceremonies, and assisted with the awards ceremony and medaling the winners.
School officials noted that Milstead is also considering a bid for a Virginia State Officer position during the May conference after her strong showing at the District VII event.
The upcoming state competition will bring together the top students from across the Commonwealth to compete for titles and scholarships in their respective trade and technical fields.
