Vernon College Students Earn Gold at SkillsUSA Texas Championships

Two students from Vernon College demonstrate technical expertise and industry readiness in career-focused competitions.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 5:11pm

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A vibrant, high-contrast silkscreen print of a pair of scissors repeated in a grid pattern, representing the technical skills and creativity of Vernon College's cosmetology students.Vernon College's career-focused training programs empower students to excel in competitive, professional environments.Wichita Falls Today

Two students from Vernon College, Morgan Casteel and Josh Cortez, earned gold medals at the SkillsUSA Texas Championships, a competition that showcases the top career and technical education students from across the state. Casteel won first place in Cosmetology, while Cortez took the top spot in Barbering, demonstrating their exceptional skills, creativity, and professionalism in their respective fields.

Why it matters

The SkillsUSA Texas Championships are a prestigious event that highlights the quality of career and technical education programs in the state. Vernon College's strong performance at the championships underscores the strength of its instructional programs and the readiness of its students to excel in competitive, professional environments.

The details

At the SkillsUSA Texas Championships, Morgan Casteel from the Wichita Falls campus won the gold medal in Cosmetology, showcasing her technical skills, creativity, and professionalism. Josh Cortez, from the Vernon campus, earned the gold medal in Barbering, demonstrating precision, technique, and industry-level proficiency.

  • The SkillsUSA Texas Championships took place in April 2026.

The players

Morgan Casteel

A student at the Wichita Falls campus of Vernon College who won the gold medal in Cosmetology at the SkillsUSA Texas Championships.

Josh Cortez

A student at the Vernon campus of Vernon College who won the gold medal in Barbering at the SkillsUSA Texas Championships.

Bettye Hutchins

The Dean of Instructional Services at Vernon College, who expressed pride in the students' achievements.

Vernon College

A community college with campuses in Wichita Falls and Vernon, Texas, known for its strong career and technical education programs.

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What they’re saying

“We are incredibly proud of Morgan and Josh. Their achievements highlight the quality of training our students receive and their readiness to excel in competitive, professional environments.”

— Bettye Hutchins, Dean of Instructional Services

What’s next

Morgan Casteel and Josh Cortez will now represent the state of Texas at the national SkillsUSA competition, where they will have the opportunity to showcase their skills on a larger stage.

The takeaway

Vernon College's strong performance at the SkillsUSA Texas Championships demonstrates the quality of its career and technical education programs and the exceptional talent and industry readiness of its students. This success highlights the value of hands-on, workforce-aligned training in preparing students for competitive, professional environments.