Tigers Qualify for SkillsUSA Competition

Congratulations to three EPHS students who qualified for this year’s SkillsUSA State Competition in Peoria, IL! Cynthia Fonseca, Isabel Hernandez, and Melissa Vazquez advanced to the state level, all competing in beauty-related events. Cynthia and Melissa competed in esthetics (skincare and makeup), and Isabel competed in nail care. Melissa won a silver medal at state, placing second in Illinois!

These three seniors are all currently in the cosmetology program at the Technology Center of DuPage (TCD). The center offers high school juniors and seniors hands-on career and technical programs that help them develop real-world skills and explore future career paths. There, they focus on the specific training needed for the line of work they’d like to enter into. 

With Cynthia and Melissa interested in esthetics, and Isabel focusing on nail artistry, the girls have practiced hard to get where they are today. In order to qualify for state, the students had to take an exam and place within the top 40 scores. They shared excitement leading up to the competition, but noted it was a fairly difficult process to get selected. “In the beginning, it was a little hard, but towards the end it got easier,” Melissa Vazquez said. She explained that the anatomy class she’s currently in was helpful for the test, since they are learning about facial bones and structure.

Their teacher at TCD, Jeanna Tenuta, praised the group, saying, “As a teacher, I would love a classroom of those three repeated over and over. I would fill my classroom with students like them. They're motivated, they're excited, and they’re self starters. They put everything into what they're doing.”

Forming a close-knit group, the students were able to support one another throughout the state finals experience. “I’m so happy we all got chosen, it wouldn’t feel the same if we weren’t all there,” said Cynthia Fonseca. 

Watch the video below for an inside look at the day-to-day experience these students have in their program! Set up like a real-world salon, the students get to practice on mannequins and embrace the true feel of being out in the workforce.

D401 video created by Dave Porreca

We are so proud of Cynthia, Isabel, and Melissa for their hard work and commitment to their craft! We look forward to seeing all they achieve in the future.