At the Leadership and Criminal Justice SkillsUSA District 6 competition, the Law Magnet’s SkillsUSA chapter demonstrated their commitment, dedication, and critical thinking skills, showcasing outstanding results across a variety of categories. It is important to note that this chapter is more than just competition but rather a family where people get to learn from each other and from their own mistakes. Due to their commitment, they have secured advancement to state competition in Corpus Christi.
In the felony traffic stop, Ulises Medina and Julio Escobedo placed 3rd. In this event two teams face high risk scenarios, in which they have to use proper law enforcement procedures and communication. For the Building Search event, Penelope Trujillo, Miranda Acedo, Zoe Marentes, and Jazira Salcedo secured second place, and Angel Alaniz, Ruby Alvear, Estefania Gutierrez Orta, and Kimberly Lazo came out in third place. Their results demonstrate the effective systematic search skills and teamwork needed to manage unpredictable high stress scenarios.
Esmeralda Loredo, Nancy Gomez, and Kirby Aguirre placed 1st in the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) events, as well as Ruthanna Chan Nop, Jacklyn Parada, and Cinthya Vega, who placed 3rd. This event consists of three officers collecting evidence and documenting information about a crime scene using photography and sketching. The Forensic Science teams made an astounding podium sweep with Ethan Alonzo, Valeria Gomez, and Isabella Lobo coming out in first place; Jailyn Mancillas, Dayana Laguna, and Auset Harewood placing 2nd; and Katherine Hernandez, Payton Harris, and Halen Wilson in 3rd place. Forensic science consists of a team of three in which each investigator performs a different role: one is in charge of documenting evidence that could include picking up fingerprints, the second investigator identifies the characteristics, and the third investigator matches the evidence to the possible suspects.
Students also demonstrated expertise in leadership and public speaking events, showcasing the weight of communication in criminal justice. Madelyn Cindo, Andrea Calderon, Sophia Reyes, Kirby Aguirre, Kimberly Rodriguez, Nancy Gomez, and Katherine Hernandez placed first, and Jailyn Mancilla, Dayana Laguna, Ruthanna Chan Nop, Leah Hernandez, Cinthya Vega, Ximena Sanchez, and Jacklyn Parada placed 2nd. In the Emblem Ceremony, Esmeralda Loredo, Tais Funes, and Allan Zamarripa ended up in 1st place. Competitors demonstrated how synchronizing as a team to reach a common goal bears fruit, as evidenced by their successful placements in various events during the competition. Ulises Medina, Julio Escobedo, Diego Ramirez, Angel Alaniz, Ruby Alvear, and Adriana Bautista placed first in the Chapter Business procedure event. Students demonstrated understanding of parliamentary procedure through a written exam and practical demonstration.
In individual events Adriana Bautista placed 1st in Prepared Speech, showcasing high-level public speaking skills. In Related Technical Math, Julio Escobedo placed first, becoming the first person in the history of the Law Magnet to do so. Kimberly Hernandez Lazo placed 3rd in customer service. Additionally, Mayi Martinez got elected for District Officer.
The results from this competition speak for themselves, but these aren’t just District champions, they’re part of the Skills USA family, where growing from competition isn’t just expected, but required. Here’s what they had to say:
“This year at Districts I gained new friendships and the ability to work in a team. The past two years I’ve been competing individually, but I committed to joining a team. I joined Building Search and Quiz Bowl in which we had to rely on each other to make sure we completed the task at hand. I made new friends and broadened my perspective on the people I worked with. Winning 2nd place for Building Search with my team gave me the sense of unity that SkillsUSA offers for each and every single one of us. It helped me embark on a mission to get to know my peers and make genuine friendships because that is what our club signifies, not only wins, but wins together.” – Jazira Salcedo
“When I competed at Districts I gained a lot of valuable experience and information. In Felony Traffic Stop, I have gained the experiences of doing a Felony Traffic stop as well as being in high risk scenarios and being able to stay calm and navigate through them. As for CPR and Related Technical Math, I have learned to administer First Aid as well as perform CPR in the case of an emergency. For Math, I was able to learn more about how Math is applied in real world scenarios since, before taking the test, I did not have much of an idea of how it was applied. Overall this Districts Competition taught me more about each competition I was in and it gave me the opportunity to show off what I have been practicing” – Julio Escobedo
“This experience has brought me confidence and the ability to believe in myself. Although many people told me that I was going to be a District Officer, I didn’t believe them. I let myself spiral down the ladder of doubts and became a nervous mess. I look back at it now glad that I was nervous because I learned from it. If I never felt anxious this win would not feel rewarding.” – Mayi Martinez
“At Districts I gained experience that taught me how to do the forensics competition, and I hope I will be able to use this in state. Being in other competitions like CPR and quizbowl, helped me know more people in the chapter. I had an amazing time connecting with others in the chapter, especially hearing the upperclassman experience through their time in the chapter. It helped me see that our chapter is a family.” – Valeria Gomez
“ I feel that this competition has taught me that despite everything I know there is still more I can learn from the other forensics competitors in my district. I feel like I need to use my resources more and take advantage of what my advisor knows. Since I placed 3rd last year but 2nd this year I feel as if I gained more of an idea of how these competitions work and what I need to focus on in order to improve even more.” – Auset Harewood
When asking our fellow SkillsUSA veterans how they felt about their last competition in Districts they answered the following:
“I felt grateful that I made it this far and accomplished really emotional knowing it was my last competition” – Sophia Reyes
“I’m excited to close this chapter of my life even though I will miss it and I’m excited for what the next generation does for this chapter” – Kimberly Rodriguez
“I’m really glad to be graduating and that I spent my last year with a good group of people I enjoy being around.The medal doesn’t only make me feel accomplished but also the chapter as a whole.” – Madelyn Cindo
Chapter President, Esmeralda Loredo and Sponsor, Mr. Jennings expressed the following:
“We learned a lot about each other. People we didn’t know and the Seniors and were really able to see the impact they have made in the chapter” – Mr. Jennings (Chapter Sponsor)
“The impact the upperclassman had on the underclassman made them be inspired to crave the same experience in the chapter” -Esmeralda Loredo
As the Seniors get ready to move on to the next phase of their lives, underclassmen are prepared to carry on the team traditions by bringing the SkillsUSA values of growth, leadership, and teamwork to the upcoming State competition. Overall, this District competition was not only a learning experience, but a heartfelt farewell to the Seniors and a new page turned in the future of the SkillsUSA chapter.
