Skills USA: Engineering

Michael Frausto Architectural Design, Construction Technology, & Engineering and Design Professor

mfrausto@rowlandschools.org 3305

About us:

SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving middle school, high school, and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce.

SkillsUSA is an applied method of instruction for preparing America’s high-performance workers in public career and technical programs. We provide quality educational experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship, and character development. We build and reinforce self-confidence, work attitudes, and communications skills.

SkillsUSA empowers its members to become world-class workers, leaders, and responsible American citizens. SkillsUSA improves the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the development of Framework skills that include personal, workplace, and technical skills grounded in academics.

Career Clusters

Architecture – Careers in designing, planning, managing, building, and maintaining the built environment.

Architectural Drafting (AutoCAD)
Architecture Design (Revit CAD)
Construction Management

Manufacturing – Planning, managing, and performing the processing of materials into intermediate or final products and related professional and technical support activities such as production planning and control, maintenance, and manufacturing/process engineering.

Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing)
Automated Manufacturing Technology (CNC)
Mobile Robotics Technology (VEX Robotics)
Robotics: Urban Search and Rescue (VEX Robotics)
Technical Drafting (SolidWorks CAD)

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics – Planning, managing, and providing scientific research and professional and technical services (e.g., physical science, social science, engineering) including laboratory and testing services, and research and development services.

Career Pathways Showcase: Industrial Engineering Technology
Engineering Technology / Design
Principles of Technology

Competitions

SkillsUSA offers many opportunities for growth through career competitions.

Students can compete at the local or state level. State winners go on to the national competition: The SkillsUSA Championships.

Other contests include the WorldSkills Competition, the opportunity to design the National Leadership and Skills Conference Pin, and the chance to have your photography published in SkillsUSA Champions magazine.

2024-2025 Student Leadership

Skill and Leadership Competition Medalist

2025 Regional Championship Highlights

Additive Manufacturing Team Strikes Gold

Team E: Anthony Acuna and Hayman Shein

For the first time since the pandemic, our Additive Manufacturing competitors took home the gold medal, showcasing innovative 3D printing and design skills..

Introductory Woodworking Debut

Cheuk Lung Lin (Gold)

Competing in a brand-new event for Rowland, freshman competitor Cheuk Lung earned gold, continuing a proud family legacy of siblings Yunzhi and Wan Ling, who also achieved gold in past competitions.

Mobile Robotic Technology Returns to Form

Team B (Gold): Adam Ellis and Wan Ling Lin

Team A (Silver): Celina Poon and Eason (Yixi) Liu

Both teams have a strong history of success at regionals and state, reaffirming Rowland’s standing in the field of robotics.

Mobile Robotics: Urban Search and Rescue Makes Its Mark

Team B (Bronze): Brandin Levario and Christian Castillo

After three years of competing, our Urban Search and Rescue team broke through this season and earned a bronze medal—a remarkable milestone for the program.

Freshman Triumph in 20-Second Elevator Story

Mattvin Kuang (Silver)

Making an impressive debut in this new event, freshman Mattvin Kuang earned gold—an exciting first for Rowland.

Architectural Design Continues the Legacy

Emily Cheng (Silver)

Continuing Rowland High School’s proud tradition of success in architecture events, Emily Cheng earned silver, further underscoring the school’s strong reputation in design competitions.

Technical Design Back on the Podium

Silver: Marian Ghelie Lopez

Bronze: Jacob Tanaka

After a two-year hiatus from medal contention, our Technical Design competitors returned to form, with Marian claiming silver and newcomer Jacob adding a bronze finish.