Texas Students Win Gold at National Skills Championship

Two high school students from Plano just proved that technical skills training can take you all the way to the top of a national stage.

Selma Zamarripa and Kelly Morefield, both from Plano West Senior High School, won gold in audio production at the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta. They competed against the best career and technical education students from across the country.

The Plano area swept the competition. Three Collin College students also brought home gold medals in their categories.

Rachel Hansen won first place in graphic communication, while Macey Loureiro took the top spot in photography. Tyler Mathieson claimed gold in technical computer applications, showing his mastery of essential workplace tech skills.

Texas Students Win Gold at National Skills Championship

Two more Collin College students, Lisa Dorman and Martin Torres, earned bronze medals as a team in 3D visualization and animation. Their work demonstrates the creative and technical abilities employers are searching for right now.

The Ripple Effect

These wins matter beyond individual trophy cases. Career and technical education programs give students real-world skills that translate directly into jobs, often without the burden of four-year degree debt.

The students competed in Atlanta alongside thousands of peers who chose hands-on career training over traditional academic paths. Their success shows that technical skills like audio production, graphic design, and computer networking open doors to stable, creative careers.

Programs like these are filling critical gaps in industries desperate for skilled workers. Employers across Texas and beyond need people who can walk into jobs ready to contribute from day one.

For these seven students, their medals represent years of practice, mentorship from dedicated instructors, and the courage to pursue career paths that match their talents. Their achievement proves that success comes in many forms, and technical excellence deserves the same celebration as any academic honor.