(Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 Press Release, June 9, 2026; Cover image credit: SD25 FB)
POCATELLO, IDAHO – Two learners from Portneuf Valley Technical Education and Career Campus (PV-TEC), a Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 school, have earned national recognition after capturing the Gold Medal and National Championship in the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) competition at the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, held June 1-5 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Isaac Giesbrecht and Gage Staples represented Idaho and PV-TEC after qualifying through state competition and went on to compete against 27 other high school EMT teams from across the nation. The competition tested learners’ medical knowledge, critical thinking, teamwork, and patient care skills through a written examination and a series of hands-on assessments designed to replicate real-world emergency medical situations.
On Wednesday, competitors completed the first round of competition, where teams were presented with three patient-care scenarios requiring them to assess patients, identify medical conditions, and provide appropriate treatment. Following the first round, Giesbrecht and Staples advanced to the Top 8 teams in the nation and earned a place in Thursday’s championship finals.
During the finals, teams faced three additional emergency scenarios that challenged their ability to communicate effectively, think critically under pressure, and provide accurate patient care.
The winners were announced Friday evening during the conference’s awards ceremony, where Giesbrecht and Staples learned they had earned the highest overall score in the nation, securing Gold Medals and the National Championship title.
“This was a great experience and an honor to represent Idaho, PV-TEC, and Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 on the national stage,” said EMT Instructor, Mark Brood. “To advance through the preliminary rounds and ultimately be named national champions is an incredible accomplishment.”
SkillsUSA is the nation’s premier career and technical education student organization, providing learners opportunities to develop leadership, workplace, and technical skills through competitions aligned with industry standards. The annual National Leadership & Skills Conference brings together the top career and technical education learners from every state to compete for national titles.
The national title showcases the strength of career and technical education opportunities available at PV-TEC and highlights the readiness of PCSD 25 learners to excel in high-demand healthcare careers.
About Portneuf Valley Technical Education and Career Campus (PV-TEC)
Portneuf Valley Technical Education and Career Campus (PV-TEC) is the school district’s flagship career and technical education campus, providing learners with industry-leading, hands-on experiences that prepare them to excel in college, careers, and life.
About Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25
Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 serves more than 11,000 learners across southeastern Idaho and is dedicated to academic excellence, meaningful opportunities, and learner success, empowering every learner to Think More, Learn More, and Be More Together.
