OHP Students Elected as SkillsUSA State Officers

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.

Casanas and Burnell 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.
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To be elected, Casanas and Burnell 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, Casanas and Burnell 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.

Ohio Hi-Point Career Center is proud to celebrate these students' achievements and their commitment to leadership and career readiness.

About Ohio Hi-Point
The Ohio Hi-Point Career Center develops our most valuable resource, people, by providing quality career-technical and academic education programs. Our High School and Satellite Divisions serve juniors and seniors from 14 partner school districts and offer more than 30 career training programs, while our Adult and Continuing Education Division has a strong focus on customized training, providing businesses the training needed to strengthen and prosper in the community.
 
The Ohio Hi-Point Career Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Superintendent Dr. Rick Smith | 2280 St. Rt. 540 Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311 | 937-599-3010