Fremont, Neb. – (Apr. 15, 2025) From April 10th-12th Fremont High School SkillsUSA members showcased their talent and skills while competing against the best that the state has to offer in the skilled trades. Advisors Brad Ryun and Jason Novotny took 11 FHS students who competed in 8 contests at the Nebraska State SkillsUSA Conference at the Fonner Park State Fairgrounds in Grand Island, Nebraska. Fremont High School brought home 3 individual championships, a team championship, and an individual runner up finish. Since 2015, FHS has produced 21 state champions and 40 medalist at the state level.
Bella Garcia placed first in the Masonry competition, laying block and brick to create a Z shaped wall that was 15 courses (around 3 foot) tall.
Emely Garcia placed first in the Welding competition, welding projects using Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Gas Metal Arc Welding, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, and Oxyfuel Cutting processes. Tony Ondracek placed second in the Welding competition, giving FHS two medalists in the contest.
The team of Chase Lupton, Brayden Porter, and Jackson Schutt placed first in the Welding Fabrication competition, cutting, shaping, and welding material to create a rocket stove project.
Levi DeBoer placed first in the carpentry competition, building a project including 3 walls, common and hip rafters, and a stair stringer.
These students will represent as the State of Nebraska Champion delegates at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, June 23-27, 2025. They will compete against the state champions from the other 49 states and territories. During the 2024 SkillsUSA NLSC, over 6,500 competitors competed in 115 career competitions.
Former FHS graduates also found success at the state conference. Joscelyn Dake placed first in the College Welding competition and Brandon Gallo placed second in the College CNC Programming competition.
Also competing for FHS was Isaac Hasemann in Related Technical Math, Becker Fickbohm in Heavy Equipment Operation, Summer Hanson in Introduction to Welding, and Huntor Gonsor in Residential Electrical Wiring. The official scoring and ranking for these individuals have not been released at this time. All students competed very well and were great representatives of Fremont High School.
Also during the Conference, Superintendent Mark Shepard received the prestigious SkillsUSA Presidential Award. The award is given to someone in honor of their unwavering dedication to supporting SkillsUSA and advancing career and technical education.
The success of the Fremont High School SkillsUSA chapter is attributed to the hard work and dedication of the students, advisors, and skilled trades experts who have worked tirelessly to help train and support the chapter. The chapter would like to thank all of our local partners including Metropolitan Community College, Rob Hocking, parents, teachers, and donors for their time, resources, and expertise that help our students be so successful. Attending the National Conference costs nearly $2,500 per student. If anyone is interested in partnering to help fund the champions in their quest to bring national championships back to Fremont, please contact Fremont High School’s administration, Brad Ryun, or Jason Novotny.
