Several Perry High School students recently took part in the Iowa SkillsUSA State Conference, and they once again returned with a great deal of recognition.

The competition was held April 25th and 26th in Adel and Ankeny, and 10 Perry students received first place in their events and advanced to the National Conference in Louisville, Kentucky to be held from June 24-28. Participants headed to Nationals include: Mason Barkley in plumbing; Kaylynn Bousman in extemporaneous speaking; Alex Fickbohm in power equipment technology; Lanie Fish in first-aid, CPR; Rylynn Gilmore in nurse assisting; Charley Guardado in automobile MLR; Kaleiah Hein in motorcycle service technology; Jered Narber in carpentry; and Taylor Eppert and Sierra Newton for promotional bulletin board.

Additionally, Gilmore, Newton, Dalton Scott, and Kaden Boyer were selected as State Officers for SkillsUSA, and each will go to the National Conference and take part in a three-day leadership training before the skills contests start. Gilmore was selected an officer for the second year in a row. The Perry administration expressed their excitement for the success once again earned by the SkillsUSA participants, and they gave thanks to the high school staff, local industry members, and the community for supporting the program. SkillsUSA involves teaching students a wide variety of practical skills and trades they can use throughout their lives.

Only the first place entries advanced, but several more Perry students place highly at the State Competition. Second place finishers include: Mason Barkley in carpentry; Kaden Boyer in automobile MLR; Taylor Eppert in photography; Taylor Majerus in welding sculpture; Trey McKenzie in motorcycle service technology; Dalton Scott in customer service; the community service team of Mason Barkley, Kaden Boyer, and Noah Hegstrom; and the promotional bulletin board team of Kaleiah Hein, Charity Lampman, and Taylor Patrick. Third place awardees include: Kaylynn Bousman in photography; Kaden Boyer in power equipment technology; Rylynn Gilmore in job interview; Charity Lampman in masonry; Dalton Scott in extemporaneous speaking; Tucker Strough in motorcycle service technology; and the promotion bulletin board team of Lanie Fish, Orlando Gonzalez, and Michelle Tobar.