Kimberly Sanchez Rael, Chair of the Board of Regents at the University of New Mexico | The University of New Mexico
Six students from The University of New Mexico-Gallup recently achieved top placements at the 2024 SkillsUSA Championship in Atlanta. Representing the state, Kayliegh Begay, Sonny Gene, Kitana James, Mason Joe, Layla Perry, and Carlos Silva competed and placed in the top 13 of their respective categories.
“I think the students surprised themselves,” said Ann Jarvis, UNM-Gallup SkillsUSA Chapter advisor. “Many of the students put in a lot of extra practice sessions, doing presentations out in the community before the state conference. You could see it was evident those practice sessions helped them get out in front of the judges.”
SkillsUSA is an organization focused on workforce development that empowers students to become skilled professionals and career-ready leaders. UNM-Gallup established its SkillsUSA Chapter in 2014 and has seen success at both state and national levels.
Kayliegh Begay was the top finisher for UNM-Gallup at this year's national championship, placing fourth in the post-secondary Pin Design category. Other notable finishes included Gene's 13th place in Job Demonstration Open, James' fifth place in Prepared Speech, Joe's seventh place in Action Skills, Perry's 11th place in Job Demonstration Open, and Silva's eighth place in Job Interview.
Begay’s pin design featured an original painting with "2024 SkillsUSA New Mexico" lettering alongside an image of Shiprock. The design also included wrap moccasins and a piece of silver jewelry shaped like the Zia symbol with a turquoise stone. This design was turned into a pin representing New Mexico at nationals.
“She’s very competitive,” Jarvis said about Begay. “She knows what she wants, and she goes for it. She always used to talk about before she joined SkillsUSA that she was very quiet... Then with Skills, she really blossomed and opened up.”
At nationals, Begay used a Navajo weaving loom to display an enlarged version of her pin design while teaching people about her culture.
In April’s state competition held in Albuquerque, UNM-Gallup students earned seven gold medals among other accolades. “This is the most gold medals we’ve ever earned at a state competition,” Jarvis noted.
Begay won gold for her pin design for two consecutive years—first as a high school student and then as a college student—and also took first place in Job Skill Demonstration Open at state level but chose to compete only in pin design at nationals.
Other gold medalists included James (Prepared Speech), Joe (Action Skills), Perry (Job Demonstration Open), Silva (Job Interview), and Kiefer Yazzie (Job Skill Demonstration A). Yazzie opted not to attend nationals despite his qualification.
Silver medalists were Kellan Benally (Extemporaneous Speaking) and Raine Segura (Job Skill Demonstration A). Bronze medals went to Orlan Dale (Job Skill Demonstration A), Ryan Descheny (welding sculpture), and Bryan Herold along with Tyler Smith and Isaiah Tsosie as a team (Career Pathways Showcase/Human Services).
The students prepared extensively by practicing throughout Gallup with support from various community organizations including Zollinger Library which hosted weekly practice sessions.
“Our students wouldn’t have felt as much at ease as they did in front of the judges without those practice sessions,” Jarvis added.
For more information on joining UNM-Gallup’s SkillsUSA Chapter, contact Ann Jarvis at aejarvis@unm.edu.
