Arizona Virtual Academy Students Earn Top Honors, Gold Level Award Recognition, and Qualify for SkillsUSA State Competition

Arizona Virtual Academy (AZVA) students are once again proving that dedication, talent, and hands-on learning lead to exceptional results. Recently, five outstanding students earned top placements at the Regional SkillsUSA Competition, a workforce development organization with competitions in 114 categories spanning from skilled trades to technical sciences.

Glendale Community College hummed with activity as 200 students from 20 schools competed across a range of technical and leadership categories. AZVA students stood out among the competition as the only online school participating.

All five AZVA participants competed in one or two categories and placed in the top 10 of their respective events, with Madison earning a Gold Level Award in Criminal Investigation, one of the highest recognitions at the regional level. Every student qualified for the upcoming State Competition.

The students competed in three categories including engineering technology design, prepared speech, and criminal investigation.

Students excelling in each of these events reflects AZVA’s commitment to offering students real-world opportunities and CTE programs including engineering, information technology, and law enforcement pathways. SkillsUSA formats its competitions after high-demand career pathways, giving students opportunities to apply their learned skills in competitive environments.

Among the AZVA standout competitors were Drew, Victoria, and Yehezekel, who each qualified for state in engineering technology design. This event challenges students to apply engineering principles to solve complex design problems, showcasing both technical knowledge and creative thinking.

Victoria Shaffer also demonstrated her versatility by qualifying for state in prepared speech, highlighting her communication skills alongside her engineering expertise.

“SkillsUSA has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my high school experience,” says Victoria, an AZVA senior. “Not only was it a great way to practice my CTE learnings, but it also helped me with my interpersonal skills.”

Lylah competed in related technical math and prepared speech, qualifying for state in both categories. Madison earned a Gold Level Award in Criminal Investigation, representing AZVA in the law enforcement pathway and bringing home one of the school’s top honors from the regional competition.

AZVA’s success doesn’t stop here; all five students will advance to the SkillsUSA Arizona State Leadership and Skills Conference held at the Phoenix Convention Center. The even larger event will bring together more than 2,000 students from 100 schools across the state, creating a highly competitive environment.

This marks AZVA’s third year participating in SkillsUSA, and the program has advanced to state every year, reflecting the rapid growth and strength of the school’s CTE programs.

Behind this success is AZVA’s SkillsUSA advisor and engineering technology teacher, Michael Thompson, who has led the program for the past three years.

He brings extensive industry experience from roles at Ford Motor Company, Intel, Honeywell Aerospace, and Sargent Aerospace & Defense. His professional background plays a crucial role in shaping a program that emphasizes practical skills, problem-solving, and workforce readiness.

“CTE is so important because it is a hands-on, applied learning model,” says Thompson. “Students are not just studying theory—they are designing, calculating, investigating, prototyping, and solving real engineering and technical problems. When students earn certifications and technical competencies, they become workforce-ready immediately after graduation. That direct pathway to employment is critical for student success.”

Career and Technical Education is at the heart of AZVA’s success. By focusing on hands-on learning and industry-relevant skills, students are not just preparing for tests—they are preparing for careers. Whether designing engineering solutions, delivering professional presentations, or conducting criminal investigations, AZVA students are gaining the competencies needed to succeed in the workforce immediately after graduation.

Congratulations to these incredible students and good luck to them all as they prepare to compete at the state level.

AZVA students and parents looking into AZVA opportunities can benefit from the career pathways offered at the school. Learn more on our Career Prep Page and enroll for the 2026–2027 academic year!

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