LINN — State Tech hosted the Missouri SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference earlier this month, continuing a long-running tradition of bringing top career and technical students from across the state to campus.

The multi-day event featured competitions spanning a wide range of fields, from automotive and construction trades to health sciences, public safety, and information technology. According to the official schedule, events began as early as April 8 and continued through April 11, with competitions held both on campus and at off-site locations throughout the region.

“It is an honor and a privilege for State Tech to host this conference each year,” said State Tech President Dr. Shawn Strong. “During the conference, we had the best Missouri has to offer on the State Tech campus. These students are the best of the best and should be proud to have made it this far. This is an undertaking that requires all hands on deck and year after year we execute it flawlessly.”

Competitions covered dozens of career pathways. Students tested their skills in areas such as automotive service technology, welding, carpentry, and electrical construction, as well as in fields like cybersecurity, digital media production, and health care.

Public safety and emergency response competitions also played a key role in the event. Linn Fire Protection District hosted firefighting competitions, while Osage Ambulance District facilitated emergency medical technician and first aid/CPR events at its training facilities.

Linn Fire Protection District Chief Ron Hoffman said the experience was positive despite limited staffing. “Although we were a little shorthanded, the evaluation went great,” Hoffman said. “We had only Linn fire assisting. All of the students were very sincere, professional and well-mannered. They thanked us for hosting the competition. It makes me feel good, and I wish I could hire everyone. We discussed their future and what they need to do. They were definitely a great group of young men and women.”

Osage Ambulance District EMS Chief Josh Krull said his team conducted first aid and CPR competitions and partnered with University of Missouri EMS education to hold EMT competitions at the ambulance district’s training center facility.

“SkillsUSA is something we look forward to every year,” Krull said. “It’s a three-day event for us. We provide medical standby services for opening and closing ceremonies along with Friday’s competitions at our headquarters. It’s a busy but very rewarding time seeing the youth across the state come and compete for state level SkillsUSA competitions.”

The Osage County Sheriff’s Office also assisted with the event, providing security on campus, according to Sheriff Michael Bonham.

The conference included opening and closing ceremonies, as well as an awards ceremony held April 11 in the Activity Center gymnasium.

SkillsUSA brings together students enrolled in career and technical education programs, offering them the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities in real-world scenarios. As in previous years, the event highlighted both technical expertise and professional skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.

State Tech has hosted the statewide conference for more than two decades, drawing thousands of students, instructors, and industry professionals to the campus each year.

SkillsUSA Student Chapter Advisor Cameron Carter said the college is proud of all 22 students who competed, with 16 earning a medal, including seven golds, eight silvers, and one bronze. “We are excited for those gold medalists to compete at SkillsUSA Nationals in Atlanta in June,” said Carter.

State Tech students expected to compete at SkillsUSA Nationals are Anthony Watt, Fionn Gallagher. Maddox Stapleton, Hayden Barnard, Hunter Smith, and Blake Tharp.