Mitchell Technical College sent two students to represent South Dakota at the 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, held in Atlanta, Georgia, this June. Competing among more than 6,000 of the nation’s best career and technical education students, Andrew Jons and Sergey Pretre showcased the technical excellence and professionalism of Mitchell Tech.
Andrew Jons earned a 7th-place finish in Electrical Construction Wiring, demonstrating his proficiency in residential, commercial, and industrial electrical systems. Sergey Pretre represented Mitchell Tech in 3-Axis CNC Programming, finishing 13th in the nation – a notable accomplishment in one of SkillsUSA’s most technical and precise competitions.
Beyond competition, the students engaged in a week of:
- Networking with industry leaders, employers, and students from across the country,
- Hands-on training and educational sessions in their respective fields, and
- Leadership development through workshops and national ceremonies
“Walking into a room full of the best students from every state—it was humbling and motivating,” said Jons. “It makes you realize how much potential you really have.”
(L-R) Alfredo Salcido and Gabe Schneider, Mitchell High School students, placed 6th in the Mobile Robotics Technologies; Andrew Jons, MTC student, placed 7th in the Electrical Construction Wiring; and Sergey Pretre, MTC student, placed 13th in the 3-Axis CNC Programming.
