By Matt Hoover
USD 475 Communications Coordinator
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. – Geary USD 475 announced that Junction City High School recently had three seniors qualify for the 2025 SkillsUSA National Competition. Claiming first-place accolades at the SkillsUSA Kansas Championships in Hutchinson were Makayla Smith and Trinity Rodriguez.
Smith advanced to nationals by earning gold in the Job Skills Open competition by demonstrating and presenting on her leather work belt making. Rodriguez heads to nationals after placing first overall and earning gold with her SkillsUSA t-shirt design.
Finally, senior Tristin Ortiz rounded out JCHS' national qualifiers by earning bronze in the Welding Sculpture competition with his bison sculpture. The SkillsUSA National Competition will take place on June 23-27 in Atlanta, Ga.