FMS, we want to share some wonderful news from today’s SkillsUSA Regional Competition. Our students from San Juan College High School and the CATE Center represented our school community with pride and dedication. We could not be more thrilled to congratulate all of them for their hard work.
Special congratulations go to Dawson Rhodes and Cutler Wilkie for earning first and second place in the Automotive Category. We also want to celebrate Alejandro Magallanes for earning first place in the Diesel Category. All three students have qualified for the state competition in March. In addition to advancing, they each received an amazing tool cabinet that will support their continued learning and growth.
Today’s event took place at the beautiful San Juan College campus. Students were challenged in all eight ASE certification areas and completed assessments in tool and component identification, service manual knowledge, and several real-world skill areas. It was an incredible opportunity for students to demonstrate what they have learned in their programs.
The competition welcomed participants from across the Four Corners region, including students from Emery High School in Castle Dale, Utah; Carlsbad High School in Carlsbad, New Mexico; the Technical College of the Rockies in Delta, Colorado; Gadsden High School in Anthony, New Mexico; Artesia High School in Artesia, New Mexico; San Juan College; San Juan College High School; the Farmington CATE Center; the University of New Mexico in Gallup, New Mexico; and Los Lunas High School in Los Lunas, New Mexico. It was truly inspiring to see so many young people from different communities come together to celebrate career and technical education.
SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization that brings students, teachers, and industry professionals together to help develop a highly skilled workforce. Each year, the organization serves more than three hundred eighty thousand students and instructors across the country. Through training programs, leadership opportunities, and hands-on competitions, SkillsUSA helps students build confidence and prepare for future careers.
In the main photo are, from left to right, Cutler Wilkie, Dawson Rhodes, and Alejandro Magallanes. We are so proud of these outstanding students and look forward to cheering them on at the state competition in 2026.
Huge thanks to our Career & Tech and Work-Based Learning folks for these incredible action photos of the competition!