21 Downey students qualify for national SkillsUSA Championships

DOWNEY — Twenty-one students from Downey Unified School District have earned spots at the 2025 SkillsUSA National Championships following standout performances at the California State Championships held April 11–13 in Ontario.

Students from Columbus, Downey, and Warren High Schools secured top placements across eight competition categories, including Additive Manufacturing, Esthetics, Extemporaneous Speaking, Interactive Application and Video Game Development, Internet of Things, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and Quiz Bowl.

In total, 19 students qualified through state competition, while two additional students were added after Warren High School was named a Model of Excellence Chapter — one of only 24 in the nation.

The achievement continues a strong record for Downey Unified in career technical education. Over the past five years, the district has sent 96 students to the SkillsUSA national stage, highlighting its focus on preparing students for careers in high-demand industries.

“We are incredibly proud of our students’ achievements and their dedication to excellence,” said Dr. Allan Tyner, Director of College and Career Readiness for Downey Unified. “Their success at the state level is a testament to the hard work of our students, educators, and community. We look forward to supporting them as they represent Downey Unified on the national stage.”

The 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference will take place June 23–27 in Atlanta, Georgia. More than 6,500 state champions from across the country will compete in 114 skilled and leadership events, judged by nearly 2,000 industry professionals. The event is considered one of the largest hands-on workforce development competitions in the world.

Downey Unified’s students will face real-world, career-based challenges that test their technical proficiency, creativity, and collaborative problem-solving — key skills for future workplace success.