Greater Lawrence Technical School Senior Finds Success in Medical Assisting at SkillsUSA State Championship

ANDOVER — Greater Lawrence Technical School (GLTS) senior Julissa Sanchez, of Methuen, earned a gold medal in Medical Assisting at the 2025 SkillsUSA State Leadership & Skills Conference, held May 1-3 in Marlborough. 

Sanchez became involved in SkillsUSA during her sophomore year at GLTS after being introduced to it by her shop instructor, Audra Durkin. That year, she took her first district-level exam for the Medical Assisting competition and served as a voting delegate at the 2023 SkillsUSA State Conference. From that point on, Sanchez remained active in SkillsUSA.

“Julissa likes to be challenged, and what better way to accept a challenge than to participate in competitions,” said Durkin. “Over the past two years, Julissa has shown remarkable growth — both personally and academically. What began as quiet potential has transformed into confident leadership and consistent effort.”

Sanchez’s passion for the medical field began long before her involvement in SkillsUSA, and even before she attended GLTS. 

“Inspired by my grandmother’s struggle with diabetes, I knew I wanted to be a part of a medical team. I realized there was no better time to start working toward my goals than now, and that is why I chose to attend GLTS,” she said.

As a junior, she competed in the Medical Assisting district competition, where she placed second and advanced to the 2024 state level.

In March 2025, Julissa returned to the district competition and secured first place, earning her a spot at this year’s state conference. There, she competed against top Medical Assisting students from vocational schools across Massachusetts. The competition tested a wide range of skills, including clinical procedures, Anatomy & Physiology, and Medical Terminology.

Sanchez rose to the challenge with confidence and professionalism, ultimately taking first place and bringing home a gold medal for GLTS.

“I was in complete shock. I had made a few small mistakes during the competition, so I thought I might place second or third, especially knowing I was up against last year’s runner-up. I told myself I couldn’t control the outcome, only how well I prepared and performed. When they announced third and second place, and I didn’t hear my name, I started to lose hope. But when they called first place and it was me, I was completely overwhelmed — I put my hand over my mouth in disbelief. It was a moment I’ll never forget.”

Now an experienced SkillsUSA competitor, Sanchez shared that her confidence didn’t come easily.

“My first time competing in SkillsUSA was nerve-wracking — I didn’t know what to expect, and everything felt unfamiliar. But I was also excited to challenge myself and see what I could accomplish. Fast forward to States 2025, and I felt completely different. I wasn’t scared; I was confident and ready. On competition day, I gave it everything I had. Even though I felt like I made some minor mistakes and doubted myself at the moment, I pushed through and stayed focused.”

Her achievement at the state competition qualifies her to represent Massachusetts at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) in Atlanta, GA, from June 23-27, where she will compete against the best Medical Assisting students from across the country.

“SkillsUSA has had a major impact on our students at GLTS. The organization provides students with real-world preparation for the workforce. Through SkillsUSA, students have learned to apply their technical knowledge in high-pressure environments, develop leadership experience that carries over into school, work, and life, and learn how to collaborate effectively with team members,” Durkin shared. “These experiences not only enriched their high school education but will also prepare them for life beyond graduation, whether entering the workforce or pursuing higher education.”

In addition to her SkillsUSA gold medal win, Sanchez is a shining example of leadership, academic excellence and dedication at GLTS.

An active member of the GLTS school community, Sanchez’s involvement extends far beyond the competition arena. She is a member of the National Honor Society, serves on the Medical Assisting Advisory Board, and is the current Vice President of the Class of 2025. On June 5, she will proudly address her peers as the Salutatorian at the GLTS graduation ceremony.

Sanchez also participates in the school’s cooperative education program, gaining hands-on experience as a medical assisting student employee at Tallman Eye Associates in Lawrence. Balancing academics and athletics, she competes on both the indoor and outdoor track teams for GLTS.

“Every experience I’ve had at GLTS has helped shape the person I am today,” she said. “The connections I’ve made with my community, classmates, and teachers have set me up for a bright future. I know that if I ever need support or guidance, I can always turn to my CTE instructor. That sense of trust and mentorship means everything to me.

She also noted the importance of Career and Technical Education: “CTE has shown me and my fellow students what the workforce looks like. Whether we stick with the careers we trained for or choose a different path, we’ll always carry the technical skills, professionalism, and confidence that CTE taught us. It has been a life-changing experience.”

This fall, Sanchez will attend the University of Connecticut, where she plans to major in Exercise Science with a concentration in Pre-Med. Her long-term goal is to earn a doctorate in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

“The GLTS community — especially the Medical Assisting Department — is incredibly proud of Julissa and all she has accomplished,” said Superintendent John Lavoie. “With the strong foundation she has built at GLTS and through her participation in SkillsUSA, there is no doubt she will continue to excel and make a meaningful impact in the healthcare field.”