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COLUMBUS – Allison Harlan, an Ohio Hi-Point Career Center Graphic and Media Arts senior from Triad High School, advanced to the National SkillsUSA competition after placing first in the Job Interview contest at the Ohio SkillsUSA competition on April 9-10. This is Harlan’s second consecutive year advancing to the national level, after placing 10th in the nation last year.

Noah Tappendorf, a Diesel Technology senior who is home-schooled, placed second in the Diesel Equipment Technology contest.

In addition to the awards ceremony, newly-elected state officers were announced. Ohio Hi-Point’s Weston Helman, a Graphic and Media Arts junior from Graham High School, was elected to the 2024-25 Ohio SkillsUSA Officer Team. Helman was a Regional SkillsUSA officer this school year and will continue to grow his leadership skills at the state level next year.

“I am so incredibly proud of both Weston and Allison. Both of them have been diligently working on their SkillsUSA competition and election materials in class, and it was amazing to see all of their hard work come to fruition,” said Justin Silver, OHP’s Graphic and Media Arts Instructor. “They are both outstanding students, and I am so excited where life will take them after their experience with SkillsUSA.”

SkillsUSA is the largest Career Technical Student Organization (CTSO) in Ohio, serving the most career fields including construction, art, business, education, finance, government, heath, manufacturing, marketing, and transportation. With contests in a variety of industries that highlight skill and professional aptitudes, SkillsUSA empowers its members to become world-class workers, leaders, and responsible American citizens.

“We’re excited for these students and what they’ve accomplished,” said Ohio Hi-Point’s Assistant Superintendent Brad Richardson. “All our students who competed worked hard on their contests and represented themselves, their program, and Ohio Hi-Point very well.”

The National SkillsUSA Competition takes place from June 24-28 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Info from Ohio Hi-Point