Ilwaco’s Hightower seventh in nation: Student was state champ in division

Published 11:18 am Tuesday, July 9, 2024

ATLANTA, Ga. — Hailey Hightower, a junior at Ilwaco High School, attended the SkillsUSA national championships. Hightower, who had placed first in the Washington state competition, was the only Ilwaco student taking part in the competition, which attracted 6,000 students from all over the nation competing in 115 trades disciplines.

She placed seventh in the graphic design sublimation division. The skill involves using printing skills to reproduce creative artwork on selected surfaces. She also received an award of proficiency, meaning that she has the necessary skill set to obtain a job in her field.

Hightower traveled with another student, Sarah Limbocker, who had participated in SkillsUSA in Washington, and her father, Jeff Hightower, who works for Ocean Beach schools.

The event was held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, which covers more 1.79 million square feet of floor space (the equivalent of 31 football fields). In addition to the competition, the Ilwaco students visited Olympic Park, home for the 1996 Centennial Olympics, and the city’s aquarium.

Sponsors say the philosophy of the SkillsUSA championships is to “reward students for excellence, to involve industry in directly evaluating student performance and to keep classroom training relevant to employers’ needs.” About 2,000 trade volunteers coordinate and judge the four days of competition.