SC Students Earn Top Honors at SkillsUSA

Sheridan College students earned multiple top finishes at the 2026 SkillsUSA Wyoming State Leadership and Skills Conference, held recently in Casper, demonstrating excellence across a range of technical and skilled-service competitions.

Competing against students from across the state, Sheridan College participants secured several first-place finishes along with additional podium placements, highlighting the talent and hard work of students as well as the strength of the college’s career and technical education programs according to Sheridan College diesel technology instructor and SkillsUSA advisor Rick Aili.

In Automated Manufacturing, the team of Nolan Schaffer, Will Betz and Matt Hooge earned first place. Coleman Hanchett also claimed a first-place finish in the CNC Programmer competition.

Brody Leerssen earned two first-place awards, taking top honors in both the Job Skills Open and Cabinet Making competitions.

Cole Schoenewald placed second in Job Interview and earned first place in Photography.

In Diesel Technology, Zevin Kummerfeldt placed third.

The Welding Fabrication team of Austin Volz, Hudson Bowe and Caden Reed earned second place.

SkillsUSA is a national, student-led organization that prepares middle school, high school and college students for careers in trade, technical and skilled-service occupations. The organization emphasizes leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development.

“Students gain valuable hands-on experience through SkillsUSA that directly connects to their programs and future careers,” Aili said. “It’s rewarding to see their hard work pay off and to watch them succeed at such a high level.”

First-place winners qualify to advance to the National Leadership and Skills Conference, which will be held in June in Atlanta.

“We are proud of the dedication and talent shown by our students,” Aili continued. “They represent Sheridan College with professionalism and skill in highly competitive events.”