Paso Robles students advance to state SkillsUSA competition
Twenty competitions to be represented by Paso Robles students
– Paso Robles High School’s SkillsUSA chapter has competed in the 2025 Region 2 Conference, held virtually in January and February. The chapter started with 257 students, all of whom are enrolled in various Career Technical Education Pathways offered at the school.
Each year, students become members of SkillsUSA, with many choosing to participate in the Regional Competitions. There are six regions in California, and Paso Robles High School belongs to Region 2, which covers counties in the Central Valley and Central Coast.
The 2025 Regional Competitions began in January and ran through mid-February. Fifty-four students from Paso Robles High School advanced to the State Leadership & Skills Conference, which will take place in April in Ontario, Calif. PRHS will be represented in 20 competitions, including 20-Second Elevator Story, Aviation Maintenance, CO2 Race and Design, and Computer Programming. Other competitions include Early Childhood Education, Health Knowledge Bowl, Information Technology Services, and Interactive Application and Video Game Development.
The complete list of competitions includes:
- 20-Second Elevator Story (4 students)
- Aviation Maintenance (1 student)
- CO2 Race and Design (1 student)
- Computer Programming (1 student)
- Early Childhood Education (4 students)
- Health Knowledge Bowl (2 teams of 4 students)
- Information Technology Services (1 student)
- Interactive Application and Video Game Development (2 teams of 2 students)
- Internet of Things and Smart Homes (2 students)
- Job Interview (2 students)
- Job Skills Demonstration A (1 student)
- Job Skills Demonstration Open (2 students)
- Medical Terminology (1 student)
- Mobile Electronics Installation (1 student)
- Power Equipment Technology (6 students)
- Prepared Speech (2 students)
- Related Technical Math (1 student)
- Telecommunications Cabling (7 students)
- Web Design (2 teams of 2 students)
Students in these competitions are trained in their Career Technical Education classes. The students attending the State Leadership & Skills Conference are advised by Bartt Frey, Brenda Matthysse, Greg Boswell, and Shelby LaMendola.
PRHS SkillsUSA is supported by local businesses and industry organizations in the Paso Robles area. The Paso Robles Joint Unified School District also assists with some expenses through Career Technical Education grants. Costs for students competing include registration fees, travel expenses, hotels, and equipment for certain contests.
For the past 22 years, PRHS SkillsUSA has received generous donations from local businesses. These contributions come from “Gold Sponsors” (donations of $1,000 or more), “Silver Sponsors” ($500-$999), and “Bronze Sponsors” ($250-$499). Many donors have contributed year after year.
The benefits of the program can be seen in the local workforce, with many alumni working as professionals or tradespeople in fields such as teaching, computer technologies, mechanics, electricians, carpenters, plumbers, medical technicians, and culinary arts. Some alumni have also gone on to lead regional and state competitions.
SkillsUSA provides students with opportunities to excel in a “real world” environment, just as sports, theatre arts, and music do. Local businesses, industries, parents, and friends are invited to contribute financially to ensure students can compete at the regional, state, and national levels. All contributions are tax-deductible through the foundation created for PRHS SkillsUSA. The chapter will honor its donors at a “Sponsor Appreciation Dinner” in late April.
Donations can be sent to:
SkillsUSA Chapter 211
4025 Dry Creek Rd.
Paso Robles, CA 93446
