RICE LAKE, Wis.— Northwood Technical College’s construction and cabinetmaking students recently competed at the 53rd Annual SkillsUSA Wisconsin State Leadership and Skills Conference, held April 7-8 at the Alliant Energy Center and Madison Area Technical College in Madison.
At the state competition, ten Northwood Tech students competed in the cabinetmaking and carpentry competitions this year, earning first, second and third place in carpentry and first place in cabinetmaking, qualifying two students for the national competition.
“I believe in giving students the opportunity to showcase their skills and to learn new ones by competing at SkillsUSA. It’s all about providing them with different opportunities. In my 26 years of being a part of SkillsUSA and competing at the state level, we have always done well, advancing to nationals in both carpentry and cabinetmaking 23 out of those 26 years. This year was no different. We placed first, second and third in carpentry with a clean sweep, and first in cabinetmaking,” said Scott Theilig, construction and cabinetmaking instructor at Northwood Technical College.
Their success at the state level was part of a strong overall showing by Northwood Tech students in both categories.
Edward Brannon of Osceola, Wis., earned first place in cabinetmaking at the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference. Deagan Cleveland of Spooner, Wis., earned first place in carpentry. Isaiah Buck of Turtle Lake, Wis., earned second place in carpentry, and Noah Lauterbach of Shell Lake, Wis., earned third place in carpentry.
That success reflects the skill, consistency and work ethic developed through Northwood Tech’s construction and cabinetmaking program.
“SkillsUSA taught me so much about perseverance and how to stay calm in stressful situations. I competed last year and got second, but most importantly learned a lot about how to stay focused on my own project, which led me to finish two hours early this year. Northwood Tech helped me learn all the valuable skills to compete and eventually win the second year I competed. Over the past two years, we have learned every aspect of building a house and the cabinets for it through countless hours in and out of the shop,” said Cleveland.
“The construction and cabinetmaking program at Northwood Tech has been a life experience, transforming the outlook of my future and career. Through the guidance and mentorship of the dedicated instructors of the program, the 2026 state SkillsUSA competition in Madison was an immense success for me. I was able to place first in the cabinetmaking competition, sending me on to the national level. I am looking forward to doing justice to the quality of the Northwood Tech program and to my instructors by representing them at nationals,” said Brannon.
Edward Brannon and Deagan Cleveland will advance to the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, set for June 1-5, 2026, in Atlanta. Their results at the state level reflect the skill, consistency and work ethic developed through Northwood Tech’s construction and cabinetmaking program. As they prepare for nationals, they will represent the college alongside top competitors from across the country.
About Northwood Technical College
Northwood Technical College is a nationally top-ranked college and designated Gold 2026-27 Military Friendly School that puts Students First. Northwood Tech serves the educational and career needs of approximately 14,000 residents of Northwestern Wisconsin each year. With multiple campuses, Northwood Tech offers career-focused associate degree programs, technical diplomas, short-term certificates, customized business training, and a wide array of courses for personal or career enrichment. Northwood Tech is a member of the Wisconsin Technical College System and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org). For more information, call 800.243.9482 or visit NorthwoodTech.edu.
Supporting Student Success
Northwood Technical College values its community partnerships. Support of the Northwood Tech Foundation helps provide scholarships, student support services and educational opportunities that contribute to student success.
For information on how to contribute, visit NorthwoodTech.edu/donate.
