Dionne Dominates Photography Contest at Invitation-Only Competition
Lake Charles, Louisiana – Wednesday, July 16
SOWELA Technical Community College student Caitlyn Dionne earned her second national Gold Medal in Photography at the 2025 SkillsUSA Championships, held June 23-27 in Atlanta, GA. This exclusive, invitation-only competition brings together top state winners to compete in 110 categories. It is recognized as the world’s largest showcase of skill-based talent for high school and college-level SkillsUSA members.
“This photography competition can be seen as quite intimidating, as it challenges participants across nine categories,” said SOWELA Digital Arts and Communication Instructor Lindsey Janies. “Including a field assignment, print competition, product shoot, digital editing, conceptual artwork, a photography studio assignment, a job interview, a written knowledge test and a technical troubleshooting exam. Winning gold in such a rigorous, multifaceted competition is a testament to Caitlyn’s exceptional skill, creativity and professionalism, and for her to win gold twice, I really couldn’t be prouder! She is an incredibly talented and dedicated photography student whose professionalism and passion for the craft are evident in everything she does.”
In addition to Dionne, SOWELA sent seven additional students to compete in five competitive categories. SOWELA competitors included Sofia Castilla (T-shirt Design), Madeleine Guillory (Advertising Design), Aaron Burleigh and Pedro Carlucci (Video Production), Casey Jones and James Linton (Audio/Radio Production) and John Pruden (CNC Programming).
Students competed head-to-head under strict time limits throughout the national contest, applying their skills in real-world scenarios. The competitions are developed and judged with input from industry professionals, trade associations and labor groups, ensuring all tasks meet current industry standards. In addition to technical contests, leadership events challenged students in areas like extemporaneous speaking and parliamentary procedures.
These achievements showcase the students’ talent and perseverance and the strength of SOWELA’s academic and technical programs. Their success on the national stage reflects the College’s mission to equip students with the skills and confidence needed to excel in their careers and make meaningful contributions to their communities.
For more about SOWELA and its programs, visit www.sowela.edu/apply or call (337) 421-6550. Scholarships and financial aid are available for those who qualify. SOWELA is enrolling for Fall 2025, with classes beginning Monday, August 11.
About SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a vital solution to the growing U.S. skills gap. This nonprofit partnership of students, instructors and industry ensures America has the skilled workforce it needs to stay competitive. Founded in 1965 and endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education, the association serves more than 300,000 member students and instructors each year in middle schools, high schools and colleges. This diverse talent pipeline covers 130 trade, technical and skilled service occupations, the majority STEM-related. More than 600 corporations, trade associations, businesses and labor unions actively support SkillsUSA at the national level. SkillsUSA programs are integrated into career and technical education through a framework of personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics. Local, state and national championships, designed and judged by industry, set relevant standards for career and technical education and provide needed recognition to its students. SkillsUSA also offers technical skill assessments and other workplace credentials. For more information, go to www.SkillsUSA.org.
About SOWELA Technical Community College
SOWELA Technical Community College offers dynamic instruction and practical learning opportunities that prepare students to seamlessly transfer or to excel in today’s workforce. For more information, visit www.sowela.edu.