MAY 21-22, 2025 • VOL. 64 ISSUE 28
Joliet West Makes History
Joliet West High School 2025 SkillsUSA Illinois State Championships. Submitted photo
Joliet West High School is proud to announce a historic achievement by junior Calloway Walsh, who earned a gold medal in the Prepared Speech category at the 2025 SkillsUSA Illinois State Championships. With this victory, Walsh becomes the first student in Joliet Township history to win gold and qualify for
the prestigious SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, which will be held in Atlanta, Georgia from June 23–27, 2025. The competition, hosted at the state level in April, brought together top students from across Illinois to compete in more than 100 career-related
contests.
workplace skills.
In the Prepared Speech event, participants are tasked with crafting and delivering an original 5–7 minute speech that reflects the annual theme and demonstrates the three pillars of the SkillsUSA Framework Triangle: personal, technical, and
“Competing at state was exhilarating. I was challenged to perform under pressure while remembering the numerous factors at play. While performing itself was very nerve-racking, I truly enjoy the new
experiences I gained while being alongside a great group of people,” said Walsh. “I didn’t think earning a gold medal and qualifying for Nationals was something possible for me, but I am so lucky to have a strong support system both inside SEE JOLIET WEST PAGE 3
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