Katy ISD Career and Technical Education students delivered outstanding performances at the SkillsUSA Texas State Leadership and Skills Conference, earning multiple state championships, medal finishes and national championship qualifications, the district announced on May 7.

Students from the Miller Career and Technology Center (MCTC) showcased elite technical skill, innovation and leadership while competing against top students from across Texas in engineering, robotics, drafting, networking and manufacturing events.

Four Katy ISD teams and individuals earned first-place finishes and secured spots at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, which will be held in Georgia this June. National qualifiers competed in:

· Internetworking – connecting different, separate computer networks to form a single, unified network

· Mechatronics – integrating mechanics, electronics, computer science and control systems to create streamlined systems

· Mobile robotics technology

· Robotics and automation technology

· Applied engineering


“These students continue to demonstrate the innovation, technical expertise and determination that define the District,” Katy ISD Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Nicholas Gonzales said. “Their success at the state level reflects the strength of our programs and the dedication of the instructors preparing students for high-demand careers and future leadership opportunities.”

More than 32,000 students are enrolled in Katy ISD CTE courses across 40 programs, and nearly 45 percent of graduating seniors earn an industry certification before graduation.

In addition to state championships, District students earned multiple podium finishes, superior ratings and technical medals across a wide range of competitive events.

Katy ISD congratulates all participating students and educators for their exceptional accomplishments and wishes its national qualifiers success as they prepare to compete on the national stage this summer, a district spokesperson said in the post-event press release.

Student Name(s) School SkillsUSA State Event Place Earned

Kadija Kwenah, Nicolas Osorio, Sarah Simar & Jayden Sundia MCTC Applied Engineering 1st Place


Esther Olajide MCTC Architectural Drafting 3rd Place

Alexandra Filip,

Harper Rushing &

Rimon Sharma MCTC Automated Manufacturing Technology 3rd Place

Ebubechukwu Odumodu &

Sumodh Prabhu MCTC Career Promotion Demonstration 3rd Place


Noah Baker &

Ruggero Taboada MCTC Commercial sUAS Drone 2nd Place


Svend Rydahl MCTC Internetworking 1st Place*


Gabriel Anand MCTC Internetworking 3rd Place


AlHassan Duamni &

Jared Griffeth MCTC Mechatronics 1st Place*


Alexander Perez &

Khalem Sundrani MCTC Mobile Robotics Technology 1st Place*


Courtney Otieno MCTC Prepared Speech 3rd Place


Alexandra Portilla & MCTC Robotics & Automation Technology 1st Place*

Jansen Roberts


Catherine Li, Angel Pang, &

Cohen Schulze MCTC Auto Electrical Components- Multiple Superior Rating


Esther Olajide MCTC Drafting CAD Architectural Project- Individual Superior Rating


Angel Pang MCTC Auto Electricity & Electronics-TI Silver Medal


Isabella Salazar MCTC Auto Electricity & Electronics- TI Bronze Medal


*Denotes students moving on to Nationals being held in Georgia in June.