Ohio Hi-Point Career Center students Maria Casanas and Richiona Burnell, both Cosmetology juniors from Bellefontaine High School, have been elected as Ohio SkillsUSA State Officers for the 2025-26 school year.
Maria and Richiona served as SkillsUSA Central Regional Officers this school year and are two of seven students elected statewide to serve as state officers for SkillsUSA Ohio, a career and technical student organization dedicated to empowering future professionals, for next school year.
To be elected, both Richiona and Maria went through a comprehensive selection process, which included an application, screening test, and giving campaign speeches and interviews during the SkillsUSA Ohio Leadership Conference. Officers were then elected by student delegates representing SkillsUSA schools across the state.
As state officers, they will continue to develop leadership and presentation skills, receive etiquette training for professional settings, and participate in a mentorship program with industry partners in their career fields. In addition to their leadership responsibilities, the state officers will represent SkillsUSA Ohio at conferences, school visits, and industry events throughout the year.
“We’re very proud of Maria and Richiona,” said Brad Richardson, OHP Assistant Superintendent. “They’ll do a great job representing Ohio Hi-Point and SkillsUSA, and they will be strong advocates for career education across the state.”
This marks the second consecutive year that Ohio Hi-Point students have served at the state level. Weston Helman, a senior in the Graphic and Media Arts program, is concluding his term as an Ohio SkillsUSA state officer.