St. George, UT – Dixie Technical College’s Digital Design program took home three gold medals at the 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta, Georgia—an extraordinary sweep that marked the program’s return to national competition. The wins highlight the creativity, professionalism, and technical skill of Dixie Tech students performing at the highest level.
What is SkillsUSA?
SkillsUSA is a national organization that partners with educators and industry to build a strong workforce through career and technical education. Representing over 442,000 members nationwide, SkillsUSA hosts competitions in more than 130 skilled and technical categories, showcasing student talent from across the country.
This year, three students represented Dixie Tech’s Digital Design program—two at the collegiate level and one from high school. All three 
earned gold: Taylor Walker & Gavin Thayn – Gold, Postsecondary Digital Cinema Production (Team) Kaylee Zaccardi – Gold, T-Shirt Design
This was the program’s first time competing at Nationals in several years. The gold medal sweep reflects the revitalized direction and real-world focus of the Digital Design program.
“Watching Gavin, Taylor, and Kaylee take gold at Nationals was an incredibly proud moment,” said Noah Burt, Digital Design Instructor. “Their success speaks not only to their work ethic and creative ability, but also to a program built around practical skills, professional tools, and creative problem-solving. We’re honored to see them represent Dixie Tech so well on a national stage.” Student Gavin Thayn added, “It was an experience that brought me closer to my goals—just being around the people there pushed me to grow.”
The Digital Design program at Dixie Tech gives students hands-on experience with industry-standard tools—from Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma to modern web builders and digital advertising platforms. The curriculum spans graphic design, branding, video production, photography, UI/UX design, and digital marketing—preparing graduates for immediate creative careers or further study.
Through the SkillsUSA Framework, students develop personal, workplace, and technical skills that translate directly to professional success. These competitions provide real-world challenges that build confidence, communication, and leadership in a team-driven environment.
“I was shocked to see that a small opportunity I almost passed up became a stepping stone I’ll never forget,” said Taylor Walker, SkillsUSA Gold Medalist.
About Dixie Technical College
Dixie Technical College provides students with training that enables them to master essential, hands-on skills they can take directly to the workforce, empowering them to support their families, strengthen the community, and contribute to local industry while advancing their careers. Dixie Tech offers over 25 accredited hands-on programs in fields like healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, construction, culinary, and computer technologies—giving students the skills-based training they need to launch meaningful careers. Learn more at dixietech.edu.
