State Only Competitions
Competition Descriptions
Below is a brief description of each competition currently part of the State Leadership and Skills Conference. These competitions are not part of the National Leadership and Skills Conference.
Occupationally Related
Prepared American Sign Language Performance & Knowledge
The contest at state competitions will include a written knowledge test assessing general knowledge of Deaf culture, ASL, and interpreting. There will also be an interview portion produced in ASL. This contest assesses signing through the delivery of a two to two and a half minute performance at the regional level and a two and a half to three minute performance at the state level.
Individual
Preventative Athletic Taping
Competitors will demonstrate proficiency in the restriction of motion of an injured joint, compress soft tissues to reduce swelling, support anatomical structures involved in the injury, serve as a splint or secure a splint, secure dressing or bandages, protect the injured joint from re-injury, and protect the injured part while the injured part is in the healing process.
Individual
Skilled and Technical
2D Animation
This competition is open to a team of two active SkillsUSA Washington members enrolled in programs with art, animation, digital arts or graphic design. This competition explores the techniques, standards and principles of the animation industry. Students will present a 2D animation presentation. This competition is open to middle school, high-school and college/postsecondary competitors.
Teams of 2
Computer Maintenance Technology
This contest is open to active SkillsUSA Washington members enrolled in programs with Computer Repair, Electronic Product Servicing, Electronics Technology Cyber Security, Information Security, or Systems and Networking Security Architecture as an occupational objective. The contest is defined by industry standards as determined by the Testout-PCPro Certification Examination. This competition is open to middle school, high school and college/postsecondary competitors.
Individual
Photography (Middle School Only)
Competitors in the Middle School Photography contest are challenged with real-world scenarios that test their creativity, technical ability, and professionalism. Students are judged on their knowledge of digital camera operation, performance on a field and studio portrait assignment, and ability to troubleshoot common photo errors. They will also demonstrate editing skills in Adobe Photoshop, participate in a written knowledge test, prepare competition prints, and complete a professional job interview.
Individual
Precision Machining
The precision machining competition evaluates each competitor’s skills to independently plan/ complete manual machining projects, and demonstrate associated skills/knowledge in print reading, measurement, quality evaluation, machining knowledge, and professional behavior. Competitors must be enrolled in programs with manual machining, precision machining, or CNC as an occupational objective. Competitors in Precision Machining must have manual machining experience on a mill and a metal lathe. The competition is open to high-school and college/postsecondary competitors.
Individual
Design Challenge Descriptions
Design students in Washington have a special chance to showcase their skills through exclusive challenges just for SkillsUSA Washington members. These state-only challenges are separate from the nationally recognized SkillsUSA Championships and are conducted entirely online, with no in-person requirements.
Here’s how it works:
- Participants submit their designs online to compete with other Washington artists and designers.
- Winners will be announced before the State Leadership & Skills Conference and recognized on stage during the event.
- These competitions are only for Washington State members and are not connected to the national SkillsUSA Championships.
Branding Challenge - NEW
The competition is designed to assess the competitor’s ability to design and produce a design package that reflects the annual theme, the state of Washington, and our organization. This competition is open to middle school, high-school and college/postsecondary competitors. Online submission only – no presentation.
Submissions will be accepted from October 14, 2025 – January 30, 2026. The winner will be announced on February 26, 2026.
Individual
Pacific Northwest Pin Design Challenge
The competition is designed to assess the competitor’s ability to design and produce a Pin design concept for the Pacific Northwest. Pins will be provided to each of the Qualifying National Leadership and Skills Conference contestants from Washington, Oregon and Idaho. This competition is open to middle school, high-school and college/postsecondary competitors. Online submission only – no presentation.
Submissions will be accepted from October 14, 2025 – January 30, 2026. The winner will be announced on February 26, 2026.
Individual
State Design Challenge
The competition is designed to assess the competitor’s ability to design and produce a T-shirt or Pin design concept for SkillsUSA Washington. Pins will be provided to contestants at the State Leadership and Skills Conference and T-Shirts and Pins will be provided to each of the Qualifying National contestants. This competition is open to middle school, high-school and college/postsecondary competitors. Online submission only – no presentation.
NEW for 2025-2026: The top five students who best meet the judging criteria in the State Design Challenge will earn free access to a digital badge in Graphic Design, awarded through the BRIC Foundation.
Submissions will be accepted from October 14, 2025 – January 30, 2026. The winner will be announced on February 26, 2026.
Individual
For the nationally recognized competitions, students must:
- Participate in in-person Pin Design (Middle School, High School, and College/Postsecondary) or T-shirt Design (Middle School, High School, and College/Postsecondary) contests.
- Follow the National Technical Standards.
- Advance through regional and state levels to qualify for nationals.
- Optionally use the same design submitted for the state-only challenge.
These state-only challenges are an extra way to celebrate and highlight the amazing talent of Washington students!
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