Sheridan College students earn top honors at 2025 Wyoming SkillsUSA Championships

SHERIDAN, Wyo. — Sheridan College’s SkillsUSA team brought home multiple honors from the 2025 Wyoming SkillsUSA Championships, held recently in Casper. Students competed against peers from across the state in a range of technical and skilled-service competitions.

Sheridan College students earned awards across several categories, with both individual and team achievements reflecting the strength of the college’s career and technical education programs.

In the CNC programmer competition, Nolan Schaffer earned first place.

Sheridan College also had strong showings in the job interview and photography categories, with Cole Schoenewald taking first place in both events.

In diesel technology, Curtis Miller placed third.

In the welding sculpture category, Graylin Furlong earned second place, and Hunter Pilkington placed third.

The welding fabrication competition featured two top-finishing teams. Kiernan Ripplinger, Austin Voltz and Gabriel Purdum earned second place, while Hudson Bowe, Nathan Ulery and Mason Smith placed third.

In automated manufacturing technology, the team of William Betz, Matthew Hooge and Jeremiah Fronk placed third.

According to its website, SkillsUSA is a career-technical, student-led organization that prepares middle school, high school and college/postsecondary students for careers in trade, technical and skilled-service occupations. The organization focuses on developing leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character skills.

“Students learn hands-on skills that pertain to their program of study as well as skills to help them become better leaders,” said Rick Aili, Sheridan College diesel technology instructor and SkillsUSA advisor.

Winners from the state championships qualify to advance to the national SkillsUSA competition, which will be held in June in Atlanta.