APPLE VALLEY, Calif. (VVNG.com) — A group of local students from Apple Valley High School have made history on the national stage, bringing home multiple medals from the 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference held June 23–27 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Leading the charge was Emily Martinez, a student in the school’s MAHST (Medical and Health Sciences Technology) Academy, who earned Gold in the Prepared Speech competition.
According to her mother, Leah Martinez, Emily is not only the first student in Apple Valley High School’s history, but quite possibly the first in the entire High Desert region to win a national Gold medal in any SkillsUSA competition.
Emily competed against state champions from 43 other states in the highly competitive event, which tests students on their ability to craft and deliver a powerful, mission-driven speech with clarity and confidence.
“This is a monumental accomplishment, not just for Apple Valley High School, but for our entire community,” Leah Martinez told VVNG. “These students competed against the top gold medalists from across the country and proved that excellence is thriving right here in the High Desert.”
Emily’s win was part of a larger success story for AVHS at the national championships:
- Aricela Galvann won Bronze in Practical Nursing
- Nolan Qualls and Evan Downing won Bronze in Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
All three events required top-tier technical knowledge and performance under pressure, as students faced off against the best from each state.
The MAHST Academy praised the student and her coach for their efforts, posting: “Emily brought home the first gold of AVHS history! Great job kiddo and shout out to Mr. Murphy for helping us!”
According to the academy’s statement, Mr. Murphy played a significant role in guiding Emily through the rigorous preparation process. The “prepared speech” category challenges students to craft and deliver a speech on a topic related to SkillsUSA’s mission, testing their communication skills, poise, and stage presence.
Emily’s achievement places Apple Valley firmly on the national map in the field of student leadership and technical excellence. Her success highlights the strength and dedication of Apple Valley educators and programs like MAHST, which equip students with the skills and confidence to excel on national platforms.
The SkillsUSA Nationals, widely regarded as the pinnacle of career and technical education competitions in the United States, hosts more than 6,000 state champions from across the country each year.
