Four Students Compete at the Nation’s Largest CTE Event in Atlanta, Georgia
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — HCTEA SkillsUSA sent four students to Atlanta, Georgia to compete at the largest Career and Technical Education (CTE) student event in the country. Representing their schools, communities, and trades, the students faced off against state and territorial champions from across the United States, with their work judged by experts from business and industry.
The Competitors
The four HCTEA representatives competed across multiple divisions and disciplines:
Chyanne Myers (Hutchinson Community College) — Job Interview, Post-Secondary Division
Blake Beaumont (Hutchinson High School) — Job Interview, Secondary Division
Harlie Terrell (Buhler High School) — Welding Sculpture, Secondary Division
Tanner Loushrie (Haven High School) — Job Skill Demonstration Open, Secondary Division
Harlie Terrell: Welding Sculpture
As a first-year welding student, Harlie chose the Welding Sculpture contest as a secondary option and created a flower bouquet sculpture representing her family — each flower corresponding to the birth month of a family member. Her national competition consisted of four parts: a judged sculpture and portfolio reviewed by leading experts in welding and art, a live cutting and welding project evaluated by leaders in the welding equipment and supply industry, and an in-person interview with a panel of art and welding professionals. Harlie placed 30th, scoring 682 out of 1,000 points — a remarkable achievement for a student with limited prior art background.
Tanner Loushrie: Job Skill Demonstration
Also a first-year welding student, Tanner demonstrated how welding inspectors conduct nondestructive visual inspections. He presented to a panel of three judges with backgrounds in public speaking and education, and was scored on opening and closing statements, organization, content knowledge, and effective communication. Though Tanner delivered what advisors described as his strongest performance to date, his preliminary scores were not sufficient to advance to the final round, where only the top six competitors from his group moved on.
Blake Beaumont & Chyanne Myers: Job Interview
Blake and Chyanne competed in the same contest across different divisions. The Job Interview competition challenges students to successfully navigate the hiring process for an entry-level position in their field of study. Preparation requires building a full candidate portfolio — including a resume, cover letter, letters of recommendation, and references — before arriving at the contest. On competition day, students complete a paper application and conclude with a live interview before a panel of judges. Blake faced challenges during the preliminary round that prevented him from advancing to finals.
Chyanne Myers: Bronze Medalist
Chyanne’s pursuit of this contest was not merely academic — the position she researched was one she was actively pursuing in her career. From the beginning of her preparation, she pushed herself to become the strongest possible candidate. At nationals, she used her downtime to complete four professional development courses: AI Tools in Autodesk Fusion, How to Build a Brand: Personal & Professional, Work Ethic: Dedication to Tasks and People, and Leadership: Trust and Stability. Her effort paid off in two significant ways: she was offered a job following the competition and earned 3rd place, taking home the bronze medal.
Advisor Reflections
“I could not be more proud of the students. They made a commitment to be competitive and they delivered.”
— Jeremiah Harmon, Welding Instructor, HCTEA and Lead Advisor, SkillsUSA
“I saw a lot of potential in these students as they were first being introduced to the contest and began preparing for the district contest. You can see the improvement and growth in the students as they work through each level of competition — ultimately earning a chance to show that on the national level.”
— Glenna Burden, History Teacher, Hutchinson High School and SkillsUSA Leadership Advisor
About HCTEA SkillsUSA
HCTEA (Hutchinson Career and Technical Education Academy) SkillsUSA prepares students for careers in the skilled trades and technical fields. SkillsUSA is a national organization serving students and instructors in technical, skilled, and service occupations, including health occupations.
