Northeast Wisconsin Schools Showcase Skills at SkillsUSA Competition

28 schools from the region competed in welding, robotics, engineering, and more at Fox Valley Technical College

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Over 28 high schools from Northeast Wisconsin showcased their technical skills at the regional SkillsUSA competition held at Fox Valley Technical College. Students competed in categories like welding, robotics, engineering, and prepared speeches, demonstrating their dedication and expertise. The event is part of preparing students for careers after high school, whether that's trade school, college, or directly entering the workforce.

Why it matters

The SkillsUSA competition highlights the importance of career and technical education (CTE) programs in high schools. A 2023 Wisconsin DPI report found that students with two or more CTE classes have a 95% graduation rate, 5% higher than the state average. Events like this help students develop in-demand skills and get a head start on their future careers.

The details

The competition featured a variety of technical categories, including welding, robotics, engineering, and prepared speeches. Students like Isabella Chappell from Appleton West High School showcased their talents, with Chappell creating a unique welding sculpture. Competitors demonstrated their dedication through memorized speeches and intricate project work. The event is part of preparing students for life after high school, whether that's trade school, college, or directly entering the workforce.

  • The SkillsUSA regional competition was held on February 20, 2026 at Fox Valley Technical College.
  • The Wisconsin State Leadership and Skills Conference, where the best competitors will advance, is scheduled for April.

The players

Isabella Chappell

A student at Appleton West High School who created a welding sculpture for the SkillsUSA competition.

Leah Missig

The SkillsUSA Wisconsin High School State Secretary, who spoke about the importance of the competition in preparing students for their futures.

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What they’re saying

“It feels great honestly, the fact that I can even do something like this is amazing. If it wasn't for actually my teacher, Ms. G, I would not be able to do this so honestly kudos to her.”

— Isabella Chappell (fox11online.com)

“A lot of dedication, I've walked around, and you see students with memorized speeches, getting ready and you hear them preparing it and you just know the fact that these speeches are pages long and they don't even have to look at the paper. Just shows the amount of work they put in.”

— Leah Missig, SkillsUSA Wisconsin High School State Secretary (fox11online.com)

What’s next

The best competitors from the regional SkillsUSA competition will advance to the Wisconsin State Leadership and Skills Conference in April.

The takeaway

The SkillsUSA competition highlights the value of career and technical education programs in high schools, helping students develop in-demand skills and prepare for their futures, whether that's trade school, college, or directly entering the workforce. Events like this demonstrate the dedication and talent of students in Northeast Wisconsin.