Douglas High students sweep skills competition

On May 27, five Douglas High School students, four seniors and one junior, modeled the red jackets they took to Las Vegas last month for the state SkillsUSA competition.

Posing for the camera, the five students, along with screen printing teacher Rita Borselli and culinary arts teacher Kerry Stack, made up the winning team that literally swept the state April 27-30. This year, the annual contest saw nearly 1,000 students in 80 competitive categories.

"I've been doing this for 10 years, and this was our best showing," Borselli said. "It was a magical moment for screen printing. We competed with the two best schools in the state, and it really showed the level of professionalism in our program."

Senior Gigo Cruz took the bronze medal in screen printing. Classmate Gina Sipin, known for her Amnesty International T-shirts, took silver, and junior Heather Van Cleave won top gold in screen printing and the job skills demonstration.

Senior Amanda Soto took bronze in culinary arts baking, and classmate Sarah Owens won silver in the job skills demonstration.

Soto, who had to decorate a cake, bake bread rolls, Danishes and baguettes, admitted she was nervous.

"We were baking behind a huge glass wall and everyone was staring," she said. "It was like being in a fish bowl."

Soto wasn't the only one feeling the heat.

"I thought I was going to pass out," Van Cleave said of the job skills demonstration.

Despite the pressure, the students did get to spend four days in Vegas.

"It was so fun," Soto said.

"We were attached at the hip," Van Cleave added.

Now, Van Cleave and Sipin are preparing for nationals, which is June 21-26 in Kansas City, Mo.

"I'm nervous," Sipin said. "There's a lot more to it at nationals than at state. We'll have to have more training beforehand."

Whatever the future holds, the students can rest assured knowing they've already accomplished something great.

"Vegas schools usually take most of the medals," Owens said, "so for a small school like ours to do what it did, we're pretty excited."

"It's the most we've ever taken," Soto said. "Plus, we beat Carson."

Borselli said the program is able to pay for itself through the high school's craft fair, typically the first weekend in December. Above all, she said, the students' dedication makes it work.

"They're dedicated to their craft," she said.