Roxie Lopez and Kevin Johnson, students at Lompoc High School, returned home with gold medals after competing at the SkillsUSA California State Conference in Ontario, April 9-12.
Lopez and Johnson each outperformed hundreds of California’s best career and technical education students in their respective fields, and will now represent the state at the SkillsUSA National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, June 1-6.
SkillsUSA is a national partnership of students, teachers, and industry professionals dedicated to building a skilled American workforce. The organization serves more than 400,000 members nationwide through educational programs, leadership development, and competitions that support students in career and technical education.
Each year, state conferences bring together students to compete in more than 130 disciplines ranging from public speaking and leadership to welding, robotics, culinary arts, aviation, and automotive technology.
Lopez, a Lompoc High School senior, won the Power Equipment Technology competition, outperforming 16 competitors across 10 stations that tested both technical knowledge and hands-on skill.
Stations included Electrical Diagnosis, Fuel Injection Systems, Electrical Systems, Valve Adjustment, Parts and Tool Identification, 2-Stroke Running Adjustments, Precision Measuring, a Parts Lookup station, and a 50-question written exam.
Lopez will advance to the national competition in June, where she will compete against gold medalists from across the country.
Johnson, a Lompoc High sophomore, won the Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair competition, defeating 21 students from throughout California.
Competitors completed stations covering Engine Performance, Electrical Diagnosis, High Voltage Vehicles, a Multipoint Inspection, Brakes, Steering and Suspension, a Job Interview component, a Scan Tool station, and a 50-question written exam.
Johnson will compete at the national level against 49 other state champions in June.
“Programs like SkillsUSA give our students the opportunity to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world scenarios,” said teacher Michael Johnson. “They are not just building technical skills, they are developing confidence, problem-solving ability, and a sense of pride in their work.
“Watching students like Roxie and Kevin rise to this level shows what is possible when students are given access to high-quality career technical education.”
“The success of our students at SkillsUSA reflects the strength of CTE programs we offer at Lompoc High School and the dedication of our staff,” said Principal Celeste Pico. “These opportunities open doors for students to explore career pathways, gain industry-relevant experience, and compete at the highest levels.
“We are incredibly proud of Roxie and Kevin and the way they represent our school and community.”