Hacienda La Puente Adult Education Wins Gold, Silver, and Scholarships at SkillsUSA Competitions

Maria Quinonez always maintained steady, full-time jobs, but with her family’s encouragement and access to affordable Hacienda La Puente Adult Education (HLPAE) programs, she made a bold decision to leave her job and follow her passion to open a cosmetology business.

Fueled by grit and a commitment to her dreams, Quinonez showcased her skills and knowledge at the SkillsUSA regional and state competitions alongside her HLPAE peers, collectively earning gold and silver medals across multiple technical fields.

“I didn’t know if I was good enough,” Quinonez said. “But when I won, I thought, ‘I did that.’ It was the first time I’d ever felt that way. I’m so grateful to the teachers at Hacienda La Puente Adult Education. They prepared me so well that the competition felt like second nature.”

SkillsUSA is the nation’s leading career and technical student organization and hosts rigorous competitions where students are judged by industry professionals and measured against real-world, national standards. Earning a SkillsUSA medal demonstrates a student’s mastery of technical skills, professionalism, problem-solving, and career readiness—qualities that help launch successful careers.

In January, HLPAE students competed at the SkillsUSA regional level, earning:

• Silver in medical terminology
• Gold and silver in cosmetology
• Gold and silver in esthetics
• Gold and silver in nail care

These accomplishments set the stage for further success at the state competition in April, where students achieved:

• Gold in medical terminology
• Gold and silver in cosmetology
• Gold and silver in esthetics

HLPAE instructor and advisor Yara Carrillo first entered students into the competition in 2022, and since then, HLPAE has qualified and placed in cosmetology and esthetics each year. Carrillo, who completed the cosmetology program from HLPAE as a Regional Occupancy Program (ROP) student 25 years ago, later became a business owner and returned to the school as an instructor and SkillsUSA advisor. After emigrating from Mexico at age 13, she earned her license by 18 and has remained passionate about giving back to the community.

“We are incredibly proud of our students and staff for their dedication, hard work, and passion. As advisors, we go out of our way to help the students because we’re not going to let them fail,” Carrillo said. “The SkillsUSA platform has empowered our students to thrive, not only in technical skills but also in leadership and personal development.”

This year also marked HLPAE’s first-ever entry into the medical terminology competition, led by Alfredo Gomez Loza, a student in the psychiatric technician program. Determined to prove himself and make his family proud, Loza balanced coursework with being a devoted husband and father to two-year-old twin daughters. His efforts paid off – he earned silver at regionals and gold at state, a first for HLPAE in the category.

“We proved to each other that we could do it, and we’re just as capable as everyone else,” Loza said, who also completed a certified nursing assistant program at HLPAE. “We have a great mentor and great advisor. We wouldn’t have gotten this far if it wasn’t for their constant support.”

Adding to the celebration, the HLPAE SkillsUSA Chapter was awarded silver in the Chapter of Excellence Program, receiving a $1,750 award. To further support student achievement, the chapter will award four $250 scholarships to graduating HLPAE students this year.

“Career technical education is a powerful pathway to success, and our SkillsUSA student competitors have proven they can achieve their goals and gain national recognition,” said Hacienda La Puente Unified Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez. “At Hacienda La Puente Unified, we are committed to empowering every student to build a future filled with purpose, opportunity, and excellence, no matter what pathway they choose.”

PHOTOS

Fueled by grit and a commitment to her dreams, Maria Quinonez showcased her skills and knowledge at the SkillsUSA regional and state competitions alongside her HLPAE peers, collectively earning gold and silver medals across multiple technical fields.

Alfredo Gomez Loza, an HLPAE psychiatric technician student, earned silver at regionals and gold at state in the medical terminology competition, a first for HLPAE in the category.