OMAR SERNA AND HIS CORE PLUS AEROSPACE TEACHER RYAN HARRIS HOLDING THE FIRST-PLACE TROPHY FOR THE SKILLSUSA MANUFACTURING ASSEMBLER COMPETITION.
SOCCER AND FOOTBALL FIELDS AREN’ T THE ONLY PLACES WHERE STUDENTS ARE COMPETING FOR STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS.
More than 50 students from 14 Washington high schools and skills centers competed for a state championship title inside Boeing ' s Everett facility at the 2026 SkillsUSA Manufacturing Assembler Competition.
WHERE HANDS-ON SKILLS MEET REAL WORLD CHALLENGES
Students competed in a hands-on challenge where they had to build a project using the same kinds of tools and techniques used to build airplanes at Boeing.
We’ re talking about:
• Drilling
• Riveting
• Reading blueprints
• Following real work instructions
Students used all these skills while working safely and meeting quality specifications.“ It was very fun getting my hands dirty and getting it done,” said Ankhbayar Munkhzaya, from Sumner High School.“ I’ m proud of my project and I got second place!”
MEET THE WINNER
Omar Serna, a senior from Decatur High School didn’ t see himself winning the competition.
“ I definitely didn’ t expect it,” Omar said.“ I’ m really proud of myself for placing first. This experience made me a lot more confident.”
Omar’ s career goal is to be an Aircraft on Ground or Blue Streak Mechanic at Boeing. He added that the SkillsUSA competition will set him up for success and help him start a good career after high school.
14 | LET’ S GO AEROSPACE