WARWICK, RI -- Congratulations to all of the winners of the Skills USA State Competition from the Warwick Area Career and Technical Center (WACTC)! Over 20 medals were received during an awards ceremony held at the Vets Auditorium in downtown Providence on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
"We're extremely proud of our students who continue to make strides within their respective industries" said Frank Galligan, who serves as the Director and Principal of district's career center. "We're very grateful to the dedicated faculty and staff members who not only prepared the students for their competitions, but maintain a high level of rigor and support to actively prepare students for fast-paced and rewarding careers after high school." The Warwick Skills USA chapter is assisted by all career and technical faculty, but it is co-chaired and largely overseen by two WACTC teachers, Christopher Bianco and Jill Shurtleff. "Chris and Jill are very dedicated to the kids and were instrumental in keeping this initiative going, especially in the recent long-term vacancy of a state-level director for Skills USA" Galligan explained.
Students who received a gold medal will now advance to the National Competitions held in Atlanta, Georgia this June. Galligan notes that such an endeavor requires multiple fundraisers each year to offset costs, including the highly successful golf tournament held at the Cranston Country Club each June that brings in over $20,000 for student travel and lodging expenses. This year's winners include:
Electronics Technology
Gold - Dameon St. Laurent
Silver - Jonathan Leilber
Cosmetology
Gold - Jaden Brown
Silver - Sofia Rodas
Esthetics
Gold - Victoria Zisserson with model Jayra Edmonds
Information Technology
Gold - Matthew Brunelle
Silver - Caden Dill
Electrical Construction Wiring
Silver - Gavin Lilly
Teamworks
Silver - Blake Smith, Cael Shanley, Daniel Morin, and Jayden Fennessy
Technical Drafting
Gold - Andrew Flyntz
Additive Manufacturing
Gold - Benjamin Durand and Michael Davis
Action Skills
Gold - Stephanie Pratt (Early Childhood)
Entrepreneurship
Bronze - Gavin Rossi, Daylan Garcia-Lopez, Kayden Crowley, and Noah Almeida
Job Skill Demo A
Gold - Jacob Philibert (Early Childhood)
Photography
Silver - Sophia D'Angelo
T-Shirt Design
Silver - Michael James
Pin Design
Gold - Cali Hidalgo-Stafford
Welding Sculpture
Silver - Nicholas Bergeron
Marine Technology
Gold - Francis Cronin
Bronze - Tyler Frigon
Basic Health Care
Silver - Sadie Scotti
First Aid / CPR
Silver - Adrianna Morrill
For more information about the career and technical education programs offered in Warwick, please contact the Warwick Area Career and Technical Center at (401) 734-3150.
[Pictured above: Gold-medal winner and Warwick student, Jacob Philibert '27 (Center) grabs hands with the recipients of the silver and bronze medals at the Skills USA state awards ceremony on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.]
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