Fairfield cosmetology students proudly display their champion banners from SkillsUSA. In front, from left, are Esmeralda Rocha, Michaela Jones, Halie Tinkey, Olivia Huffman and Chelsea Kidd. In the back row are Maria Magallanes, Carley Moore, Leslie Hernandez, Jacob Weber, Abigail Stuckman, Alyssa Stuckman, Keyanna Hann, McKenzie Schmitt, Cynthia Wagner, Trisha Varney and Melissa Hernandez. Not pictured is Brianna Pena.

Fairfield cosmetology brought home the gold again during the 50th year celebration of SKILLS USA. The cosmetology department at Fairfield High School has competed at the national level of SkillsUSA for the past five years, and will again this year.

Cosmetology students at Fairfield attend regular classes and travel to Fairfield for the technical portion of their classes during the regular school week. Students attend from Wawasee, Fairfield, West Noble and Goshen schools.

SkillsUSA provides support and recognition to students in career and technical education. This year, more than 1,000 students and their advisors traveled to Indianapolis to compete in more than 90 career and technical competitions. The conference was a two day event, held April 10 and 11.

The cosmetology advisors, Lisa Firestone and Angie Higginbotham, took 13 students. Leslie Hernandez, Keyanna Hann, Melissa Hernandez, Trisha Varney and Brianna Pena competed in esthetics. Both Michaela Jones and Esmerelda Rocha competed in cosmetology. Olivia Huffman, Chelsea Kidd, Brianna Pena and Esmerelda Rocha competed in the entrepreneurship competition. Competing in job demonstration were students Abigail Stuckman, Maria Magallanes and Halie Tinkey.

Fairfield’s cosmetology program also had three state officers and one state candidate this year; Olivia Huffman, Jacob Weber, Carley Moore and Halie Tinkey.

Once again during the awards ceremony, held at the Pepsi Coliseum at Indianapolis Fairgrounds, Fairfield cosmetology students brought home the gold medal. The entrepreneurship team and Michaela Jones will travel to Louisville, Ky., in June to represent Indiana during the 50th SkillsUSA National Leadership and Trade competition.

Also representing Indiana in June will be Haley Tinkey, elected as a SkillsUSA state officer. Cosmetology students also took home silver medals in esthetics and cosmetology, and a bronze medal in esthetics. Fairfield’s cosmetology SkillsUSA chapter was also rewarded a certificate for 100 percent participation.

Students attending nationals will be raising money to cover their expenses for the trip, and appreciate any donations made to their trip.