WorldSkills USA
Showcasing America’s Skilled Talent on the World Stage
What is WorldSkills?
Every two years, a select group of SkillsUSA members steps onto the global stage to represent the United States at the WorldSkills Competition — the Olympics of skilled trades. These competitors are known as WorldSkills USA, and their journey is one of excellence, dedication and international achievement.
WorldSkills brings together the best young professionals from around the world to compete in more than 60 skill areas, from carpentry and welding to graphic design and mechatronics. WorldSkills USA members undergo rigorous training, working with experts and coaches, mentors and industry leaders for many months before traveling abroad to compete.
Browse candid moments from these journeys in our Heritage Hub photo collection.
WorldSkills USA Through the Years
In 1973, President Richard M. Nixon recognized SkillsUSA (then known as VICA) as the official U.S. representative. The United States first entered the WorldSkills Competition in 1975, represented by the SkillsUSA organization.
Since that time, from Montreal to Shanghai, Calgary to São Paulo, WorldSkills USA has fielded and trained top competitors. These individuals exemplify a strong work ethic, technical precision, expert craftsmanship and resilience to overcome challenges in both training and during competition.
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1975 Madrid, Spain
John Gressick, PA (Bricklaying)
William Carper, VA (Carpentry)
Diane O'Brien, MN (Cosmetology)
John Shipman, CA (Electrical Trades)
Glenn Trewitt, TX (Industrial Electronics)
Kurt Leger, MN (Machine Drafting)
Nicholas Fedirko, DE (Radio and TV Repair)
Michael McLaughlin, DE (Sheet Metal)
John Gorski, PA (Welding)
1977 Utrecht, Holland
Darron Pulsipher, UT (Bricklaying)
Roger Allen, UT (Carpentry)
Candy Lacher, OH (Cosmetology)
Gary Nickerson, MA (Electrical Trades)
Steve Curd, MO (Industrial Electronics)
Mike Thompson, NV (Joinery)
Mark Payne, AL (Machine Drafting)
Tom Specht, MA (Machine Shop)
Kim Miller, TX (Machine Shop-Milling)
Dan Hayes, FL (Radio and TV Repair)
Lester Snyder, TN (Sheet Metal)
Arthur Tackett, KY (Welding)
1978 Pusan, South Korea
David Classen, TX (Auto Mechanics)
Ralph Julian, MO (Bricklaying)
Mark Agee, WA (Electrical Trades)
Neal Sedell, WA (Industrial Electronics)
Raymond Coleman, VA (Industrial Wiring)
Mark Bauer, MI (Machine Drafting)
Glenn Sadowski, MO (Machine Shop)
Brett Fulton, PA (Plumbing)
Richard Lomax, DE (Radio and TV Repair)
Thomas Lee, MO (Sheet Metal)
Edgar Anna, OH (Welding)
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1979 Cork, Ireland
Kendall Henderson, FL (Auto Mechanics)
Steven Sawin, KS (Bricklaying)
Gary Berg, MN (Carpentry)
Brenda Kimball, OK (Cosmetology)
Everett Crosby, OH (Electrical Trades)
Robert McCormick, OR (Industrial Electronics)
James Davis, AL (Industrial Wiring)
Mark Burnard, MI (Machine Drafting)
Michael Bray, TX (Machine Shop)
Richard Marty, MN (Plumbing and Pipefitting)
Dwayne Miller, FL (Radio and TV Repair)
Randall Coning, OH (Sheet Metal)
Duane Christianson, WI (Welding)
1981 Atlanta, Georgia
Todd Kazmirski, IL (Auto Mechanics)
Jeffrey Tice, PA (Bricklaying)
Glen Smith, MO (Cabinetmaking)
Michael Smith, PA (Commercial Foods)
Diane Barthol, WA (Cosmetology)
Jeff Kranz, MN (Electrical Trades)
Doug Roberts, OR (Industrial Electronics)
Ron Hoch, WA (Joinery/Carpentry)
Linda Triplett, MS (Machine Drafting)
William Sincavage, RI (Machine Shop-Milling)
Tim Walker, IA (Machine Shop-Tool and Die)
Gary Westland, MN (Machine Shop-Turning)
Carlo Sacchetti, NJ (Plumbing and Pipefitting)
William Greathouse, WV (Radio and TV Repair)
Richard Carpenter, OH (Sheet Metal)
Warren Lind, NJ (Welding)
1983 Linz, Austria
Johnny Pilcher, AL (Auto Mechanics)
Edward Decker, PA (Bricklaying)
Roland Roy, RI (Cookery)
Steven Bucholz, WI (Electric Welding)
Jeffrey Maddux, IN (Engineering Drawing)
Hisashi Fujinaka, OR (Industrial Electronics)
Silvia Volpe, NY (Ladies' Hairdressing)
Daniel Rojas, CA (Milling)
William Lanier, FL (Plumbing and Pipefitting)
William Benner, FL (Radio and TV Repair)
Michael Fowler, Ga (Sheet Metal)
1985 Osaka, Japan
Dennis Falls, AZ (Advertising Design)
Ricky Kelley, AZ (Automobile Repair)
Oscar Mercado, TX (Bricklaying)
Eric Link, MO (Cabinetmaking and Millwork)
Michael Arruda, MA (Cookery)
Albert Vennettilli, MI (Engineering Drawing)
David Reed, OK (House Wiring)
Joseph Haas, MO (Industrial Wiring)
Misti Sewell, OK (Ladies' Hairdressing)
Phillip Heslep, GA (Plumbing and Pipefitting)
Aaron McGinty, CA (Precision Machining-Turning)
Anthony Dechellis, DC (Precision Machining-Milling)
John Mihovetz, VA (Precision Machining-Press Tool Making)
Kenneth Anderson, UT (Radio and TV Repair)
Rick Kranz, FL (Welding)
1988 Sydney, Australia
Gregory Gonsalves, RI (Advertising Design)
Bill Firth, VA (Automobile Mechanics)
Timothy Medlin, NC (Bricklaying)
Jennifer Epker, IL (Cookery)
Dennis Craig, MI (Engineering Drawings)
Paul Betts, PA (Industrial Electronics)
Dale Luther, OK (Industrial Wiring)
Maria DiSanti, PA (Ladies' Hairdressing)
Shannon Gilbreath, CO (Men's Hairdressing)
Ernest Wheeland, OH (Plumbing and Pipefitting)
William Andrews, OK (Precision Machining-Press Tool Making)
Kevin Matthies, MI (Precision Machining-Milling)
Gary Sawyer, CA (Precision Machining-Turning)
Brian Ott, PA (Radio and TV Repair)
Scott Walczy, MI (Construction Steel Work)
Jeffrey Pocius, MI (Electrical Welding)
1989 Birmingham
Billy Foglia, VA (Advertising Design)
England Dirk Dooley, CA (Automotive Technology)
Roland, Klein, MD (Bricklaying)
Keven Voss, MN (Cabinetmaking and Millwork)
Mitzie Mauldin, WA (Cosmetology)
Emile Chagnon, MA (Culinary Arts)
Paul Adolph, OH (Electronic Product Servicing)
Wayne Tangen, MT (Electronics Technology)
Jeffrey Kellar, CA (Precision Machining)
Eric Corbeil, RI (Residential Plumbing)
John Lentine, MA (Residential Wiring)
Mark Belliveau, MA (Welding)
1991 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Jeffry Hipp, WA (Advertising Design)
Rick Nutting, OK (Auto Body Repair)
Brian Henegar, MO (Auto Service Technology)
Ted Howell, UT (Brick Masonry)
Jay Moss, CA (CNC Machining)
Steve Forliti, MN (Cabinetmaking)
Chris Hennessey, WA (Computer Aided Drafting)
Chris Osterloh, MO (Consumer Electronics)
Michael Connolly, RI (Culinary Arts)
Robert Pope, FL (Electric Welding)
Jon McDonnell, MI (Engineering Drawing)
Chris Tham, TN (Industrial Electronics)
Wendi Lewis, MI (Ladies' Hairdressing)
David Beland, RI (Milling Machining)
John Dunleavy, NH (Residential Plumbing)
Jason Mead, AZ (Turning Machining)
1993 Taipei, Taiwan
Eric Ballew, SC (Autobody Repair)
Matt L. Carr, ID (Automobile Repair)
Shane Short, DE (Bricklaying)
Bryan Becker, MN (Cabinetmaking)
Darren J. Campbell, MI (Computer Aided Drafting)
Jacob E. Dockter, ND (Consumer Electronics)
Nicholas J. Peterson, MN (Electric Welding)
Jennifer J. Allman, MI (Engineering Drawing)
Ronald Manley, NY (Graphic Design)
Wade J. Friesen, OK (Industrial Wiring)
Brian Franchuck, ND (Industrial Electronics)
Jerry A. Hodyl, IL (Milling)
Philip J. Smalley, UT (Turning)
1995 Lyon, France
Kevin Henegar, MO (Auto Service Technology)
Kevin Welter, MN (Cabinetmaking)
Christopher Baker, NJ (Carpentry) [Did not compete]
Marcin Gora, MI (Computer Aided Drafting)
Greg Huber, OH (Collision Repair Technology)
Matt Curtis, AL (Commercial Wiring)
Wendy Hartwell, WA (Culinary Arts)
Tim Perry, UT (Electronics Products Servicing)
Ben White, OH (Electronics Technology)
John Helm, OK (Industrial Wiring)
Ben Main, NH (Milling)
John Providenti, WV (Refrigeration)
Cliff Schweinsburg, PA (Turning)
Branden Muehlbrandt, FL (Welding)
1997 St. Gallen, Switzerland
Joe Rashke, MN (Autobody)
Michael Davenport, IL (Automotive Service Technology)
Jesse Wright, OK (Brick Masonry)
Christopher Stark, CA (Cabinetmaking and Millwork)
John MacDowell, MD (Car Painting)
Michael LaFerle, MI (Computer Aided Drafting)
Taryn Mohan, MA (Cookery)
John Hills, TN (Electronic Applications)
Brent Gagné, OH (House Wiring)
Monica Perkins Marsh, TX (Ladies' Hairdressing)
Ryan Hernandez, KS (Precision Machining-Milling)
Edward Bloss, IN (Precision Machining-Turning)
James Runkle, OH (Refrigeration)
Glenn Kay, II, MI (Welding)
1999 Montréal, Canada
Eric Stark, FL (Autobody Repair)
Timothy Dearing, MO (Automobile Repair)
Jason Martin, OH (Bricklaying)
James Kluth, WI (Cabinetmaking)
Caleb Burnison, KS (Car Painting)
Spencer Davis, NC (CNC-Turning)
Travis Masiero, NH (Cookery)
Tim Dresser, MA (Electronic Applications)
Kimberly Carr, TX (Ladies' Hairdressing)
Richard Klein, MD (Refrigeration)
Raymond Connolly, IL (Welding)
2001 Seoul, Korea
Lee Geiger, WI (Autobody Repair)
Joshua Boschee, CO (Automobile Service Repair)
Dan Athey, WI (Cabinetmaking)
Anthony Rowe, NC (CNC Turning)
Kisha James, NY (Ladies Hairdressing)
Brett Johnson, OK (Refrigeration)
Dien Tran, FL (Welding)
2003 St. Gallen, Switzerland
Rusty Brown, KS (Auto Service Technology)
Adam Peterson, MN (Cabinetmaking)
Samuel Davenport, NC (CNC Turning)
Craig Dort, MO (Refrigeration)
Crystal Pruskowski, PA (Hairdressing)
Allen Stenzel, NE and Casey Calouette, MI (Mechatronics)
Miles Tilley, MI (Welding)
2005 Helsinki, Finland
Nicholaus Ranker, CO (Autobody Repair)
Bodie Smith, UT (Auto Refinish)
Viviana Zuniga, FL Hair Dressing)
Dan Reece, MN (Mechatronics)
Matt Lindemann, MN (Mechatronics)
Shawn Wasielewski, PA (Refrigeration)
Joel Stanley, ME (Welding)
2007 Shizuoka, Japan
Phillip Lord, IN (Autobody Repair)
Chance Hendrix, OK (Car Painting)
Elisa Graybill, PA (Hairdressing)
David Moreno, TX (Plumbing)
Douglas Lavin, IL (Refrigeration)
Chance Pollo, WY (Welding)
2009 Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Scott Raymond, MA (Autobody Repair)
Jack Frederick, KS (Automobile Technology)
Kyle Wegman, PA (Cabinetmaking)
Ben Janke, WI (Car Painting)
Fernando DeLaGarza, ID (CNC Milling)
Josef Schwarzer, MI (CNC Turning)
Craig Growney, RI (Cooking)
Jennifer Miaczynski, IL (Hairdressing)
Hayden LeJeune, LA (Industrial Electronics)
Kinzie Doll, MO (IT/PC Networking)
Adam Bierschbach, MN (Mechatronics)
Adam Wiechmann, MN (Mechatronics)
Leroy Rogers, WI (Plumbing)
Amela Mujkic, MI (Printing)
Ryan Rutherford, IL (Refrigeration)
Joe Young, MI (Welding)
2011 London, England
Cameron McCreery, CO (Autobody Repair)
Daniel Lehmkuhl, CA (Automobile Technology)
Raychel Bland, AL (Beauty Therapy)
Bradley Wright, AL (Bricklaying)
Brett Ottinger, PA (Cabinetmaking)
Joseph King, AL (CNC Milling)
Maxwell Hershey, MI (CNC Turning)
Rachel Koppelman, MO (Cooking)
Victoria Brown, NV (Graphic Design)
Laina Call, UT (Hairdressing)
Matthew Vicari, FL (IT/PC Networking)
Ryan Spinden, DE (Plumbing)
Ben Phillips, VA (Printing)
John Huhn, DE (Refrigeration)
Melissa Rubincan, DE (Restaurant Service)
Brett Patterson, TN (Web Design)
Bradley Clink, WI (Welding)
2013 Leipzig, Germany
George Mason, SC (Autobody Repair)
Kieron Kohlmann, WI (Automobile Technology)
Savannah Dunn, OK (Beauty Therapy)
Dylan Ennis, NC (Bricklaying)
Daniel Berrios, PA (Cabinetmaking)
Nate Wagner, NY (Car Painting)
Joshua Bedell, FL (CNC Milling)
Ronald Olkowski, MI (CNC Turning)
Matthew Lorman, MD (Cooking)
Sarah Parker, NC (Graphic Design Technology)
Brooke Robison, MI (Hairdressing)
Marcus Cain, NC (IT Networks Systems Administration)
Antony Costantini, OH (Mechatronics)
Jarrod Nichols, OH (Mechatronics)
Nicholas Michalenko, MA (Plumbing and Heating)
Heather Ashe, SC (Print Media Technology)
Christopher Kuhn, OH (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning)
Amala Edwards, MD (Restaurant Service)
Michael Angel, VT (Web Design)
Alex Pazkowski, MI (Welding)
2015 São Paulo, Brazil
Michael Mullen, CA (Automobile Technology)
Maria Buko, MI (Bakery)
Bailee Romero, NV (Beauty Therapy)
Daniel Furr, NC (Bricklaying)
Jacob Wozniak, NY (Cabinetmaking)
Spencer Wolf, OH (Graphic Design Technology)
Lauryn Erickson, MI (Hairdressing)
Dustin Mortsolf, KS (Heavy Vehicle Maintenance)
Daniel Dossett, TN (Manufacturing Team Challenge)
Erica Heckman, TN (Manufacturing Team Challenge)
Jake Rivard, MA (Mechanical Engineering Design – CAD)
Ian Gwaltney, TN (Mechatronics)
James Womble, TN (Mechatronics)
Chris Royea, VT (Plumbing and Heating)
Brock Miesner, MO (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning)
Luis Vazquez, TX (Restaurant Service)
Nick TaylorAZ (Web Design)
Andrew Cardin, MA (Welding)
2017 Abu Dhabi, UAE
Jonathan Robertson, MO (Automobile Technology)
Luke Dutton, NC (Bricklaying)
Jordyn Baker, CA (Bakery)
Kylie Burkey, TN (Hairdressing)
Joshua Whittington, GA (Mechatronics)
Corey Cleghorn, GA (Mechatronics)
Asher Chicoine, MA (Plumbing and Heating)
Chandler Kerr, MD (Print Media Technology)
Krzysztof (Chris) Zamajtys, NY (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning)
Riley Johnson, NC (Web Design)
Chandler Vincent, UT (Welding)
2019 Kazan Russia
Alex Millikan, N.C. (Aircraft Maintenance)
David Fors, Mass. (Auto Body Repair)
Paul Allen Danenberg, Idaho (Automobile Technology)
Daylan Torres, Mass. (Baking)
Kelby Thornton, N.C. (Bricklaying)
Ethan Harrison, Idaho (Cabinetmaking
Dylan Wertz, Ohio (Car Painting)
Scott Curtz May, Mich. (CNC Milling)
Julia Spondike, Ohio, (Cooking)
Mawadda Abuhamda, Ariz. (Cyber Security)
Jason McGee, Ariz. (Cyber Security)
Anthony Moore, Mich. (Graphic Design Technology)
Rebekah Hagberg, Ill. (Hairdressing)
Ryan Meppelink, Mich. (Heavy Vehicle Maintenance)
Benjamin Campbell, Idaho (Mechanical Engineering (CAD)
Ryan Hittepole, N.C. (Mechatronics)
Curt Love, N.C. (Mechatronics)
Timothy Girauard, Mass. (Plumbing and Heating
Brittany Whitestone, Md. (Print Media Technology)
Robert “Colt” Schultz, Texas (Restaurant Service)
Matthew Vreman, Fla. (Web Technologies)
Ryan Fincher, Ga. (Welding)
2022 Shanghai, China
Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainty in the Ukraine. A small team was fielded before the event was canceled:
Ian Gregor, Colo. (Automobile Technology)
Isis Pieto, Fla. (Cooking)
Gabe Krebs, Minn. (Heavy Vehicle Maintenance)
Benjamin Judson, Mass. (Car Painting)
Oct 2022 Cleveland, OH
WorldSkills Special Edition competitions in Welding and Metalworking
Jordan Packer, Utah (Welding) sole U.S. competitor
2024 Lyon, France
Nathan Bulthuis, Ill. (Automotive Technology)
Kaden Stanczyk, Wis. (CNC Milling)
Novirah Lone, Mich. (Cooking)
Cale Mouser, Kan. (Heavy Vehicle)
Gabriel Eady, Tenn. (Mechatronics)
Brady Kroll, Minn. (Plumbing and Heating)
Wyatt Hansen, Utah (Welding)
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Year Location
1975 Madrid, Spain
1977 Utrecht, Holland
1978 Pusan, S. Korea
1979 Cork, Ireland
1981 Atlanta, USA
1983 Linz, Austria
1985 Osaka, Japan
1988 Sydney, Australia
1989 Birmingham, UK
1991 Amsterdam, Holland
1993 Taipei, Taiwan
1995 Lyon, France
1997 St. Gallen, Switzerland
1999 Montréal, Canada
2001 Seoul, South Korea
2003 St. Gallen, Switzerland
2005 Helsinki, Finland
2007 Shizuoka, Japan
2009 Calgary, Canada
2011 London, England
2013 Leipzig, Germany
2015 São Paulo, Brazil
2017 Abu Dhabi, UAE
2019 Kazan Russia
2022 Cleveland, Ohio
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1975 – Madrid, Spain
No medals
1977 – Utrecht, Holland
Gold – Auto mechanics (demo) – David Basha (FL)
1978 – Pusan, S. Korea
Bronze – Auto mechanics – David Classen (TX)
Diploma – Industrial wiring – Ray Coleman (VA)
Diploma – Machine drafting – Mark Bauer (MI)
Diploma – Welding – Edgar Anna (OH)
1979 – Cork, Ireland
No medals
1981 – Atlanta, USA
Silver – Ladies Hairdressing – Diane Barthol (WA)
Silver – Industrial electronics – Doug Roberts (OR)
Diploma – Milling – William Sincavage (RI)
1983 – Linz, Austria
No medals
1985 – Osaka, Japan
Gold – Graphic design – Dennis Falls (AZ)
Bronze – Radio & TV repair – Kenneth Anderson (UT)
Diploma – Auto mechanics – Ricky Kelley (AZ)
Diploma – Bricklaying – Oscar Mercado (TX)
Diploma – Turning – Anthony Dechellis (DE)
Diploma – Milling – Aaron McGinty (CA)
1988 – Sydney, Australia
Silver – Graphic design – Gragory Gonsalves (RI)
Bronze – Radio & TV repair – Brian Ott (PA)
Bronze – Industrial electronics – Paul Betts (PA)
Bronze – Milling – Kevin Matthies (MI)
Bronze – CNC machining – Aaron McGinty (CA)
Diploma – Auto mechanics – Bill Firth (VA)
1989 – Birmingham, UK
Silver – Graphic design – Bill Foglia (VA)
Diploma – Auto mechanics – Dirk Dooley (CA)
Diploma – Radio & TV repair – Brian Ott (PA)
Diploma – Industrial electronics – Wayne Tangen (MT)
Diploma – Precision machining – Brian Evans (CA)
1991 – Amsterdam, Holland
Gold – Welding – Robert Pope (FL)
Silver – CAD – Chris Hennessey (WA)
Bronze – Graphic design – Jeff Hipp (WA)
Diploma – Auto mechanics – Brian Henegar (MO)
Diploma – Turning – Jason Mead (AZ)
Diploma – Auto body repair – Rick Nutting (OK)
Diploma – Industrial electronics – Chris Tham (TN)
1993 – Taipei, Taiwan
Silver – Industrial electronics – Brian Franchuk (ND)
Bronze – CAD – Darren Campbell (MI)
Bronze – Electric welding – Nicholas Peterson (MN)
Diploma – Auto mechanics – Matt Carr (ID)
Diploma – Cabinetmaking – Bryan Becker (MN)
1995 – Lyon, France
Silver – Electronic applications – Tim Perry (UT)
Silver – Welding – Branden Muehlbrandt (FL)
Diploma – Automobile technology – Kevin Henegar (MO)
Diploma – Cabinetmaking – Kevin Welter (MN)
Diploma – Electronics technology – Ben White (OH)
Diploma – Refrigeration – John Providenti (WV)
Diploma – Turning – Cliff Schweinsburg (PA)
1997 – St. Gallen, Switzerland
Bronze – Cabinetmaking & Millwork – Christopher Stark (CA)
Diploma – Automobile technology – Michael Davenport (IL)
Diploma – Cookery – Taryn Mohan (MA)
Diploma – Electronics applications – John Hills (MI)
Diploma – Welding – Glen Kay, II (MI)
1999 – Montréal, Canada
Gold – Refrigeration – Rick Klein (MD)
Gold – Welding – Ray Connolly (IL)
Diploma – Electronic application – Tim Dresser (MA)
Diploma – Cabinetmaking – James Kuth (WI)
Diploma – Ladies hairdressing – Kim Carr (TX)
Diploma – Automobile technology – Tim Dearing (MO)
Diploma – Car painting – Caleb Burnison (KS)
2001 – Seoul, South Korea
Silver – Automobile technology – Joshua Boschee (CO)
Silver – CNC machining – Anthony Rowe (NC)
Bronze – Welding – Dien Tran (FL)
Diploma – Auto body repair – Lee Geiger (WI)
Diploma – Refrigeration – Brett Johnson (OK)
2003 – St. Gallen, Switzerland
Silver – Auto Service Technology – Rusty Brown (KS)
Bronze – Welding – Miles Tilley (MI)
Diploma – Mechatronics – Casey Calouette (MI)
Diploma – CNC Turning – Samuel Davenport (NC)
Diploma – Refrigeration – Craig Dort (MO)
Diploma – Ladies Hairdressing – Crystal Pruskowski (PA)
Diploma – Mechatronics – Allen Stenzel (NE)
2005 – Helsinki, Finland
Diploma – Hairdressing – Viviana Zuniga (FL)
Diploma – Welding – Joel Stanley (ME)
2007 – Shizuoka, Japan
Medal of Excellence – Welding – Chance Pollo (WY)
Medal of Excellence – Hairdressing – Elisa Graybill (PA)
2009 – Calgary, Canada
Silver – Automobile Technology – Jack Frederick (KS)
Silver – Welding – Joe Young (MI)
Medal of Excellence – Car Painting – Ben Janke (WI)
Medal of Excellence – Cooking – Craig Growney (NJ)
Medal of Excellence – Hairdressing – Jennifer Miacyznski (IL)
Medal of Excellence – Printing – Amela Mujkic (MI)
2011 – London, England
Silver – Welding – Bradley Clink (MI)
Medal of Excellence – Hairdressing – Laina Call (UT)
Medal of Excellence – Automobile Technology – Daniel Lehmkuhl (CA)
Medal of Excellence – Cooking – Rachel Koppelman (MO)
2013 – Leipzig, Germany
Silver – Welding – Alex Pazkowski (MI)
Medal of Excellence – IT Networking Systems – Marcus Cain (NC)
Medal of Excellence – Automobile Technology – Kieron Kohlmann (WI)
2015 – São Paulo, Brazil
Bronze – Refrigeration and Air Conditioning – Brock Miesner (MO)
Medal of Excellence – Welding – Andrew Cardin (MA)
Medal of Excellence – Hairdressing – Lauryn Erickson (MI)
2017 – Abu Dhabi, UAE
Medal of Excellence – Welding – Chandler Vincent (UT)
Medal of Excellence – Refrigeration and Air Conditioning – Krzysztof Zamajtys (NY)
Medal of Excellence – Plumbing and Heating – Asher Chicoine (MA)
Medal of Excellence – Hairdressing – Kylie Burkey (TN)
2019 – Kazan, Russia
Bronze – Heavy Vehicle Technology – Ryan Meppelink (MI)
Best in Nation / Medallion of Excellence – Automobile Technology – Paul Danenberg (ID)
Medallion of Excellence – Welding – Ryan Fincher (GA)
Medallion of Excellence – Hairdressing – Rebekah (IL)
Medallion of Excellence – Car Painting – Dylan Wertz (OH)
2022 – Cleveland, Ohio
Bronze – Welding – Jordan Packer (UT)
Behind the Scenes
Training for WorldSkills can be a long, lonely and challenging journey. Competitors are generally selected from the previous two national SkillsUSA Championships or at industry trials and they must meet certain criteria including skill level, the time and ability to train somewhat independently and age requirements.
Following their selection, competitors may train on their own or travel to train with industry experts in various locations. They will spend months honing their craft before the big event, working on their time management and problem-solving abilities as well as their technical skills as they prepare to compete on the international stage. These young competitors often hold down a job or are still in school while they train for the world event.
WorldSkills International is a global, member-driven organization that works through collaborative efforts to raise the awareness of skilled professions. Currently, there are 89 member countries and regions. WorldSkills was founded in 1950.
Learn More
To dive deeper into current teams, bios, and upcoming competitions, visit the official WorldSkills USA site.