skillsusa champions · 2019-09-25 · anita foor, senior curriculum manager kim skillsusahegedus,...

FALL 2019

championsSkillsUSA

World-ClassWinnersReadytoCompete

internationalsthe results

from Russia

championshipsgold medalists

an essential new credential

national officers and local members

helping others succeed

2 SkillsUSAChampionsFall2019

features

YOUR PATH

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Fall2019SkillsUSAChampions 3

contents

departments

OntheCover: SkillsUSA Champion Evan Sapirman of Hillsborough, N.J. Photo by Lloyd Wolf.

115 AskTim BY TIM LAWRENCE

6 What’sNew BY TOM KERCHEVAL

28 Toolbox BY TOM KERCHEVAL

29 Spotlight BY HAYLEY UFFELMAN

30 Image BY E. THOMAS HALL

features

FALL2019

16

WorldSkillsUSADirect from Kazan, Russia, it’s SkillsUSA’s best-prepared team ever. See how it paid off.BY CRAIG E. MOORE

They’veGot2020(Leadership)VisionMeet the team of students who will help lead SkillsUSA into a new decade. Plus: Helping make others’ dreams a reality.BY TIFFANY GOVENDER

BestoftheBestWho won gold at this year’s SkillsUSA Championships? It’s quite an impressive list, spanning 103 national competitions. BY E. THOMAS HALL

AGoodRead:AdvisoroftheYearJason McCuish’s students couldn’t find a children’s book on technical training, so they published one themselves.BY KAREN N. KITZEL

CodedforSuccessTwo future engineers share what awakened their potential.BY E. THOMAS HALL

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SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA’sOfficialMagazine14001SkillsUSAWay,Leesburg,VA20176-5494703-777-8810www.skillsusa.org

Magazine Staff/Office Of cOMMunicatiOnSTomHall,DirectorKarenKitzel,Associate Director, CommunicationsCraigMoore,Senior Manager, Web/TechnologyTomKercheval,Senior Manager, Audiovisual

Technology/CommunicationsJaneShort,Senior Manager, Public Relations/

CommunicationsTiffanyGovender,Manager, CommunicationsHayleyUffelman,Specialist, Communications

Office Of the executive DirectOrTimLawrence,Executive DirectorHeidiWalsh,Program DirectorDaveWorden, Program Director, SkillsUSA

ChampionshipsShellyCoates,Associate Director, Conference

Management ServicesJimKregiel, Senior Manager, SkillsUSA

ChampionshipsAshleyRidgeway,Manager, Conference Management

ServicesKaitlinYoungs,Program Manager, Conference

Management ServicesSandraMoore,Senior Administrative AssistantDennisPeaton,Program Specialist, SkillsUSA

Championships

aDMiniStratiOn anD financeKimGraham,DirectorMelissaWilson,Associate Director, Human ResourcesSarahUtterback,Senior Manager, AccountingRoxanneHodge,Senior Customer Service

Representative

BuSineSS PartnerShiPS anD DevelOPMentCathyArrington,Associate DirectorJosieWolfe,Manager, FundraisingHelenCarafa,Program Specialist

eDucatiOnKellyHorton,DirectorGayleSilvey,Associate DirectorGeneDudley,Senior Regional ManagerPattyDuncan,Senior Manager, Member Services and

AssessmentsAnitaFoor,Senior Curriculum ManagerKimHegedus,Senior Manager, Educational

DevelopmentSylviaPhillips,Senior Manager, Membership Growth

and DevelopmentCourtneyFerrell,Program Manager, Professional

DevelopmentTarynZeigler,Program Manager SandyMueller,Program Specialist, Member ServicesLauraRauch,Program Specialist

championsSkillsUSA

BOarD Of DirectOrSJenniferWorth(American Association of Community

Colleges)SamBottum(Snap-on Incorporated)SarahHeath(Advance CTE)RobertKornack (Ohio)ClayMitchell(California/SkillsUSA State Directors

Association)BryanUpton(Alabama)CharlesWallace(Maryland)BeckyWarren(Kansas)DeanBaker(Association for Career and Technical

Education)MaureenTholen(3M/SkillsUSA Foundation)TonyAmbroza (Carhartt)JohnKett(IAA)CherylSchaefer(State Farm Insurance Companies)JasonScales(Lincoln Electric Co.)ChrisTesmer(Newell Brands)RoseBauss(Toyota Motor North America Inc.)

natiOnal StuDent OfficerS/aDviSOrSHigH ScHoolMakennaEccles/ThomasHelgoth(Texas)MelissaMoreno/NereidaLansman(Arizona)SkylarRearick/DavidMoye(Florida)JustinNewton/JeffreyJones(Kentucky)JarodHarris/KurtHolliday(Nebraska)AnikaKoopman/RebeccaCorda(Massachusetts)DevonCushing/AmyHicks(Georgia)AustinHuddleston/SaraPlozay(Ohio)AshleyOlenkiewicz/ThomasHelgoth(Texas)MiguelNunez/NereidaLansman(Arizona)

college/PoStSecondaryKarlisleWilbur/JoshuaKlemp(Rhode Island)JayClifton/SheilaHyde(Texas)EmmaCates/VanessaMcClure(Oklahoma)TaytumMcGill/ReginaGilliland(Alabama)

aDvertiSing/PartnerShiP inquirieSCathyArrington,703-737-0627

champions

SkillsUSA champions onlineExperienceSkillsUSAChampionsinteractivelyat:www.skillsusa.org.Thedigitalformatrespondsforviewingonallelectronicdevices.Teachersre-ceivingthisissueinhardcopyareaskedtoshareitwiththeirstudentsandothersviaemailandsocialmedia.Thenseeevenmorechampionson:

Volume 54, No. 1SkillsUSAChampions(ISSN1040-4538)ispublishedfourtimesperschoolyear—Fall(October/November),Winter(December/January),Spring(February/March)andSummer(April/May)—bySkillsUSAInc.at14001SkillsUSAWay,Leesburg,VA20176.PeriodicalspostagepaidatLeesburg,VA,andatadditionalmailingoffices.Copyright2019bySkillsUSA.Allrightsreserved.

POSTMASTER:SendaddresscorrectionstoSkillsUSAChampions,Attn.:PattyDuncan,14001SkillsUSAWay,Leesburg,VA20176.

ThenamesSkillsUSA,SkillsUSAChampionshipsandSkillsUSAChampions;theSkillsUSA:ChampionsatWorkslogan;andtheSkillsUSAlogo,emblemandsloganartareallregisteredtrade-marksofSkillsUSAInc.Allrightsarereserved,andpermissionmustbegrantedbythenationalheadquartersofSkillsUSApriortoanyuse.

Inkeepingwithatraditionofrespectfortheindividuali-tyofourmembersandourroleinworkforcedevelopment,SkillsUSAstrivestoensureinclusiveparticipationinallofourprograms,partnershipsandemploymentopportunities.


asktim

OpeningAnotherChapter

Q&AExecutive Director Tim Lawrence has known SkillsUSA as a student member, instructor, industry partner and state director. Got a question? He can help.

Q: I’ve heard you are retiring from SkillsUSA. What’s next for you,

and what changes are coming?Tim: I began this column in 2001, when I became executive director of SkillsUSA, and what a journey it’s been ever since. Around the country and the world, I’ve met SkillsUSA students, teachers, partners and others who work daily to make our career and technical education system the best it can be. I’ve seen changes in curriculum, in technology, and in state educational agencies and federal admin-istrations, and seen amazing growth in SkillsUSA’s membership and programs. Still, some things remain the same, and these truths are what I’ll remember most: Those who engage in continuous personal growth, and who accept change and adapt to the circumstances and people they work with, tend to become leaders. Those who lead with passion tend to be successful. Those who lead by inspiration always rise to the top. I have grown as a leader during my time with SkillsUSA, beginning as a welding student, through my path in the manufacturing industry, and as a teacher, state leader and national staff member. I am humbled and honored, along with an incredible support team in the national headquarters and in our state associations, to have led us through this historic time.

Honestly, leadership isn’t always easy, and it isn’t always fun. There have been worries that kept me up at night. I always led from my heart as well as my head, and I put everything I had into this role. SkillsUSA has been a major part of my life journey, so it is truly difficult to leave my position as your executive director. However, I am inspired by the hard work of our national board of directors to select an outstanding new leader. As she takes the helm, I expect the transition will be seamless for members and very positive for our teachers, partners and stakehold-ers. I look forward to new adventures and new roles in my life as I navigate my next chapter. It might include travels, volunteer work and who knows what else, but it will always be about serving others. When students and teachers come to our National Leadership Center, I always tell them, “Welcome home.” I now say the same to your new executive director. Welcome home, Chelle Travis, and I hope the coming years are as good to you as the past 19 have been to me. It has been a true honor to serve all of you and this life-changing organization. Thank you, my friends, for this incredible opportunity! • Got questions about SkillsUSA or other topics? Email [email protected] or send a letter to the address on the facing page.

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Celebrating the Past,

Welcomingthe Future

tion to the role. “She is a proven leader in our space who strongly believes in the mission of our work,” says Lawrence. Lawrence has been involved with SkillsUSA on every level, from student to teacher/advisor to state director. He’s served as SkillsUSA’s executive director for the last 19 years, and his leadership has taken the organization to new heights. For more on this leadership transition, visit: tinyurl.com/SkillsUSA-executive-director. •

November will be a bittersweet month for SkillsUSA, as we prepare to say

goodbye to retiring executive director Tim Lawrence while happily welcoming new executive director Chelle Travis. Travis — formerly the postsecondary director for SkillsUSA Tennessee and assistant vice chancellor for the Colleges of Applied Technology with the Tennes-see Board of Regents — brings 17 years of experience in career and technical educa-

BuildingaPerfectCircle

t hasn’t happened since 1979, but SkillsUSA’s National Lead- ership Center is getting a construction-based enhancement in the form of a new pavilion dubbed “SkillsUSA Champions Circle.” Many contractors and trade associations donated equipment and labor to prepare the building site. Once prepared, CAD instructor Jeff Jones and his students — all from Webster County Area Tech-nology Center in Dixon, Ky. — began construction. Visiting officers from SkillsUSA Virginia helped, too, and the design itself was conceived by students and instructors from SkillsUSA Oklahoma. For photos and video, visit: tinyurl.com/skillsusa-circle. •

I

Former SkillsUSA state director Chelle Travis has been named the

new executive director for SkillsUSA. Travis takes the helm in

November.

what’snew


World-class effortgains recognitionon world stage

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APPLAUDING COMMITMENTSTO SUCCESS

Every year, usually in February, top high-school athletes bask

beneath the media spotlight as they sign a binding letter of intent to play a particular sport for a particular school. SkillsUSA recently decided that spotlight is big enough to share, a decision that led to the first SkillsUSA National Signing Day last May. Sponsored by Klein Tools, the day celebrated 3,000 students in 300 SkillsUSA high-school chapters across the country for their dedication to pursuing careers in the skilled trades. Students were applauded as they signed letters of intent for job offers, apprenticeships or advanced training. San Francisco 49ers quarter-back Jimmy Garoppolo served as spokesperson for the event at Silicon Valley Career Technical Education Center in San Jose, Calif. Along with Klein Tools president Mark Klein, SkillsUSA executive director Tim Lawrence and WorldSkills USA team member Ethan Harrison, Garop-polo was joined by his father, Tony, a recently retired career electrician. With huge national coverage from ESPN, NFL Live, Yahoo Sports and more, it was a great start to a new skilled trades tradition. For more, visit: tinyurl.com/skillsusa-signing. •

Left to right: Mark Klein, Jimmy Garappolo, Ethan Harrison, Tony Garappolo, Tim Lawrence

Boomers, Gen X, millennials ... every generation has its own unique reputation. “Generation T” is different. It’s a national movement launched by Lowe’s Home Improvement to address the widening skilled trades gap, and that “T” stands for “trade skills.” SkillsUSA has joined the movement, and the even-more-good-news is that all ages (and generational labels) are welcome. A key component of Generation T is a national marketplace connecting qualified job-seekers to skilled-trades employment opportunities. What will members of Gen T be known for? Success. Learn more at: wearegenerationt.com. •

ANewGenerationofSkilledPros

Tim Lawrence is about to retire as SkillsUSA’s executive director, but

that’s not stopping him from earning more awards. Recently in Kazan, Russia, WorldSkills president Simon Bartley presented Lawrence with the WorldSkills Fellowship Award during the international competition. The award is given “in recognition of an outstanding contribution to World-Skills and a commitment to inspiring and advancing the prospects of young people around the globe.” This marks only the second time in the 73-year history of WorldSkills that the award has been given. SkillsUSA has been sending a team to the biennial WorldSkills Competition since 1975. See Page 11 for a full report on the 2019 WorldSkills USA team. •Ph

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what’snew

SkILLSUSA’S NLSC SETS RECORDSAND STANDARDS

Congratulating someone for “getting bigger every year” isn’t usually

considered a compliment. That’s not true for SkillsUSA’s National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC), which doesn’t just get bigger with every successful trip the earth makes around the sun, but better. The 55th NLSC, held in Louis-ville, Ky., this past June, didn’t just keep the tradition alive, it set new standards to live up to. For starters, the event set an all-time attendance record, with 11,136 registrants and an estimated total attendees closing in on 20,000. The SkillsUSA Champion-ships boasted the most competitors ever, with 6,417. SkillsUSA TECHSPO — the largest career and technical education trade show in the nation — reached behemoth proportions, as members of industry and education sought to connect with the most highly skilled students in the nation. The NLSC welcomed a host of VIPs, too, including U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Mick Zais. “This is an amazing display of all-American talent,” Zais said after touring the contest floor. “It’s really been uplifting and inspirational.” Those words could be used to describe so many other moments of the confer-ence that can’t be quantified by a spread-sheet. From the thrills of the Opening Ceremony to the fulfillment of the community service event that saw students build and deliver bikes to underprivileged kids ... from the breathtaking expanse of the skilled and leadership competitions to the elation of the Awards Ceremony ... the 55th NLSC won’t be forgotten any time soon. For more photos and video, visit: tinyurl.com/nlsc19-media. •


Photos:LloydWolf

what’snew

2019 NLSC HONOREES Advisor of the Year: Jason McCuish of Lynn (Mass.) Vocational Technical Institute (story, Page 23)

Alumni Pioneer of Excellence Award: Terry Robinson, graphic designer, instructor and national alumni chair, El Reno, Okla.

Ernie Gary SkillsUSA Championships Volunteer of the Year: Mark Galland, longtime cluster chair, Springfield, Mo.

Honorary Life Members: Chris Arvin, former SkillsUSA board president, Caterpillar Inc.; Jim Bullington, longtime SkillsUSA supporter, Oklahoma Department of Career and Technical Edu-cation; Eric Gearhart, former SkillsUSA development director; Darren Gibson, former state association director representative to the SkillsUSA board of directors, Oklahoma; Brent Kindred, former SkillsUSA board president, Wisconsin; George Laubmeier, longtime alumni and national conference volunteer from Wis-consin; Wayne Lee, advisor of many successful chapters in North Carolina over almost 30 years; Ann Schreiber, 33-year employee of SkillsUSA communications office

Models of Excellence First-Place Chapters: Lynn (Mass.) Voca-tional Technical Institute; Geary (Okla.) High School; Norwalk (Calif.) High School

Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award: Bryan Glispie, long-time volunteer and broadcasting professional, California

Outstanding Educators: Troy Barry, Western Dakota Technical Institute, Rapid City, S.D.; Kirstie Christopherson, North Med-ford (Ore.) High School; Chip Harris, Tennessee State University, Nashville; Pratima Patil, Somerset County Vocational School, Bridgewater, N.J.; Richard Stephens, Worchester Technical High School, Newark, Md.

President’s Volunteer Service Award: 75 individuals and 10 teams; for the complete list, go to: pvsa.skillsusa.org

Professional Development Program International Degree: Judith Anderson, Pulaski County Technical Education Center, Dublin, Va.; Kathy Estep, Franklin County Career and Technical Education Center, Chambersburg, Pa.; Laura Paige Smith, Wash-ington County Career and Technical Education Center, Abing-don, Va.; and Deborah Tripp, Sault Area High School and Career Center, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

Torch Carrier Award: Maureen Tholen, SkillsUSA Foundation Committee chair, from WorldSkills USA lead sponsor 3M •


Hard work pays off as this year’s SkillsUSA-fielded team makes giant strides in international competition

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Facing page: The All-American team in Kazan. This page, clockwise from top: high scorers Dylan Wertz, Paul Danenberg, Ryan Meppelink, Rebekah Hagberg and Ryan Fincher with Tim Lawrence; Meppelink and other medalists; Mawadda Abuhamda and Jason McGee in Cyber Security; D.J. Fors in Auto Body Repair.


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By Craig E. Moore “The experience was unforgettable,” Tim Lawrence, SkillsUSA’s executive director, said. “To experience the unique Russian culture and meet workforce development experts from every corner of the globe truly expands your mind to new possibilities and perspectives.” Besides the competition, a highlight of the week’s activities was the “One School — One Country” cultural exchange. Students ages 11-15, from 58 institutions in Kazan and the surrounding district of the Republic of Tatarstan, met representa-tives of the WorldSkills national teams. The U.S. team visited ORT “Mishpah-teinu” Secondary School No. 12. While there, the team participated in cultural dances, crafts and field day-style events. About 60 Americans made the trip to Russia, including supporters and the technical experts who trained the team over the past two years. The White House sent SkillsUSA 22 individual cards to congratulate each of the team members. Intensified training and public relations efforts for the 2019 team paid off. From October 2018 to date, over 500 unique television, print and online news stories have appeared (the equivalent of $1.85 million in advertising). The next WorldSkills Competition will be held in Shanghai in September 2021. •

WorldSkills USA team members recently returned from Kazan, Russia, where for four days they tested their skills against 1,354 competitors from 63 member nations. At this year’s WorldSkills Competi-tion, the U.S. team moved up 15 places in the rankings compared to the previous WorldSkills Competition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Based on total points scored overall, Ryan Meppelink of Zeeland, Mich., was awarded a bronze medal for Heavy Vehicle Technology and Best in Nation for having the highest score for the team. “It was a great honor to represent my nation,” Meppelink said in a subsequent interview with Transport Topics. “The competition was very tough, but I felt very good about my performance.” Medallions of Excellence, awarded to competitors who earn 700 out of 800 possible points, were earned by Paul Danenberg of Boise, Idaho, in Automobile Technology; Ryan Fincher of Cedartown, Ga., in Welding; Rebekah Hagberg of Bloomington, Ill., in Hairdressing; and Dylan Wertz of Tiffin, Ohio, in Car Painting. The team of 22 former national cham-pions narrowly missed earning four additional Medallions of Excellence.

ON THE WEBh LearnmoreabouttheWorldSkillsUSA

team:www.worldskillsusa.org

h Checkoutallthepicturesfromthe2019event:http://bit.ly/WorldSkillsUSAPhotos

h FollowthisandfutureWorldSkillsUSAteamsonsocialmedia:@WorldSkillsUSA


WORLDSKILLS USA SPONSORSLEAD SPONSOR

PROUD SPONSORS

PROUD PARTNERS

BRONZE

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Automobile TechnologyPaul Danenberg, 21Boise, Idaho

Auto Body RepairDavid “D.J.” Fors, 19Lunenburg, Mass.

Aircraft MaintenanceAlex Millikan, 22 Trinity, N.C.

BakingDaylan Torres, 20 Fall River, Mass.

BricklayingKelby Thornton, 19Midland, N.C.

CabinetmakingEthan Harrison, 18Blackfoot, Idaho

Car PaintingDylan Wertz, 19Tiffin, Ohio

CNC MillingScott May, 19Port Huron, Mich.

CookingJulia Spondike, 20Lorain, Ohio

Cyber SecurityMawadda Abuhamda, 17Chandler, Ariz.

Cyber SecurityJason McGee, 18 San Tan Valley, Ariz.

Graphic Design TechnologyAnthony Moore, 19Adrian, Mich.

HairdressingRebekah Hagberg, 18Bloomington, Ill.

Heavy Vehicle TechnologyRyan Meppelink, 20Zeeland, Mich.

Mechanical EngineeringBenjamin Campbell, 19Nampa, Idaho

MechatronicsRyan Hittepole, 20Albemarle, N.C.

MechatronicsCurt Love, 20Oakboro, N.C.

Plumbing and HeatingTimothy Girouard, 19Southampton, Mass.

Print MediaBrittany Whitestone, 20Westminster, Md.

Restaurant ServiceRobert “Colt” Schultz, 17League City, Texas

Web DesignMatthew Vreman, 20Parrish, Fla.

WeldingRyan Fincher, 21 Cedartown, Ga.

The 2019 WorldSkills USA team was the largest SkillsUSA has ever fielded. It had the greatest inter-national competition experience, training and time commitment of any team that has competed for the United States. The first World-Skills competition was held in 1950 in Madrid, Spain. In 1973, SkillsUSA (then called the Vocational Indus-trial Clubs of America) was recog-nized as the official U.S. representa-tive to WorldSkills. •

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EVERY DREAM HAS A JOURNEYEVERY CAREER HAS A PATHWE CAN HELP YOU ON YOUR WAY

The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation

provides need-based scholarships

to the children of Marines enrolled

in accredited career and technical

education programs.

Application and eligibility criteria are available at

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MARINE CORPS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATIONHonoring Marines by Educating Their Children™

@marinescholars MarineScholars@marinescholars

MCSF_CTE_Ad_SkillsUSA_(FullPage).indd 1 3/13/19 12:23 PM


( Leadership )They’veGot 2020

Photo:LloydWolf


This newly elected officer team is ready to spread the word about SkillsUSA and lead our members into a new decade

By Tiffany Govender

At this June’s National Leadership and Skills Conference, the 2019-20 SkillsUSA national officers were

elected by delegates from across the nation. In July, the team reconvened at SkillsUSA’s national headquarters for a week of intensive training aimed at preparing them for their new roles as the organization’s representatives. During the coming year, the team will connect with leaders from industry and government, help facilitate national events and advocate nationwide for the value of career and technical education (CTE). The officers are excited to support the organization by sharing stories of how their SkillsUSA experience has provided them with what’s needed to develop their interests into individual career paths. “Career and technical education provides opportunities to express who we are through our trade, and to develop our passions and support tomorrow’s work-force,” says Miguel Nunez, SkillsUSA Region 5 vice president. Nunez’s view is shared by Melissa Moreno, high school vice president at large, who emphasizes that CTE “isn’t only about the students, it’s about our country and providing the skilled work-force that it deserves.” Adds Skylar Rearick, high school secre-tary: “SkillsUSA and career and technical education have given students across the country the ability to shape not only their own futures but also the future of our nation.” SkillsUSA is helping to build America’s future by opening doors for students to develop their dreams. Armed with their extensive experience and drawing on their diverse backgrounds, this team is ready to spread the word. •

Vision


On the facing page: (1) College/post-secondary secretary Emma Cates is a

cosmetology student at Oklahoma’s Indian Capital Technology Center. (2) Culinary arts student Jay Clifton attends El Centro College in Dallas and serves as college/postsecondary vice president. (3) Devon Cushing, Region 2 vice president, is a graphic design student at Troup High School in LaGrange, Ga. (4) High school president Makenna Eccles studies health science at Porter (Texas) High School. (5) Jarod Harris, high school parliamentarian, studies drone technology and videography at Seward (Neb.) High School. (6) Exercise science student Austin Huddleston attends Upper Valley Career Center in Piqua, Ohio, and is Region 3 vice president. (7) Region 1 vice president Anika Koopman is a health services student at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School in Upton, Mass. (8) Tatum McGill studies salon and spa management at Northeast Alabama Commu-nity College in Rainsville and is college/postsecondary parlia-

mentarian. (9) High school vice president Melissa Moreno is a photography student at San Luis (Ariz.) High School. (10) Justin Newton, high school treasurer, studies computer aided drafting at Webster County High School in Dixon, Ky. (11) Region 5 vice president Miguel Nunez studies photog-raphy and emergency medical services at San Luis (Ariz.) High School. (12) Ashley Olenkiewicz, Region 4 vice president, is a health science student at Porter (Texas) High School. (13) Engineer-ing student Skylar

Rearick attends Lyman High School in Longwood, Fla., and serves as high school secretary. (14) College/postsecondary pres-ident Karlisle Wilbur is a graphic design student at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, R.I. •

National Officer TeamGet to know the new

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She’s helpingothers’ dreamscome trueEmma Cates is no stranger to

working for her dreams. When she first envisioned getting a cosme-tology license and owning her own business, her plans were met with concerns from her parents and high school counselor. Despite being accepted to a college program in her sophomore year of high school, she had been unsure of how this path would lead to her dream job. Cates did know that she had a deep interest in cosmetology. She was able to gain her parents’ support to enroll in a cosmetology program but continued to face resis-tance from her school counselor. Undeterred, Cates found a new counselor, who enrolled her at Indian Capital Technology Center in Muskogee, Okla. There, the cosmetol-ogy instructor introduced Cates to SkillsUSA and asked her to consider running for national office. Cate’s response was immediate. She told her instructor, “I want to do that because I don’t want anyone else to go through what I had to go through, and I want to let other people know that career and tech schools are just as great as college.” Read more at: tinyurl.com/national-officers. •

Follow SkillsUSA on social media to stay connected and up-to-date!www.SkillsUSA.org

@SkillsUSA

championsSkillsUSA

We’retalking

lessonplan

Student Guided Reading Questions SkillsUSA Champions, Summer 2019 Name: _______________________________ Date: ________________________________ Period: _____________________________

1. How much does it cost to join the SkillsUSA Alumni Association? 2. Prior to working for SkillsUSA, what did Tim Lawrence teach? 3. What is Advance CTE? 4. What is the purpose of the “I Support CTE” campaign? 5. How could alumni members help a local SkillsUSA chapter? 6. In what month is SkillsUSA Week held?

7. What company is the lead sponsor of SkillsUSA Week? 8. What sparked Angela Philpot’s career change? 9. In which two SkillsUSA competitions did Philpot participate? 10. Which two certifications has Samantha Jinnah obtained? 11. What is Jinnah’s career goal?

12. What is the name of Bryan Glispie’s new invention? 13. Which SkillsUSA award did Glispie recently win? 14. According to their advisor, how do both David Sonnier and Sky McMillian excel? 15. Who was one of SWLA Media’s first clients? 16. Adam Frank is a member of which SkillsUSA national education team? 17. In what three majors does Chauncy Walker have degrees? 18. Who does Walker credit for helping him find the strength to follow his dreams? 19. Dessie Hall advocates for which disease?

20. What is Hall’s job position? 21. Which Barry Tech BOCES fundraiser raised over $6,000? 22. How will Anthony and Jonathon Rivera give back to their local community? •

Lesson Plan Summer 2019.indd 2

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Instructor Guide

SkillsUSA Champions, Summer 2019

“Your Own Open-Door Policy”

Content Discussion Questions

1. What doors of opportunity have opened for you in school?

In SkillsUSA? In the workplace?

2. How do you find courage to take “leaps of faith?”

3. What activities does our chapter conduct to keep alumni

involved?

4. After graduation, how will you stay involved with our

school? SkillsUSA?

In-Class Activity, 20 minutes

Workplace Skills: Decision Making, Weigh every possible outcome

Materials needed: Wastebasket, masking tape (five feet total), marker

and paper balls (at least three)

Prior to the session, place the wastebasket in the center of the

room. Take two steps away from the basket and put a 6-inch

strip of tape on the floor. Then put another piece 1 foot farther

away. Continue until about 10 pieces are on the floor. Mark each

piece of tape with one with a number, start with “1” closest to the

wastebasket and “10” the farthest from the basket.

Select one student to be the scorekeeper and another student to

be the referee. Put students into groups of three to five. Give

these instructions:

1. Each person will have the opportunity to throw three paper

balls into the wastebasket.

2. Individually, you choose which line to throw from.

3. Each made basket scores points for your team.

4. Points correspond with the numbers on the tape lines.

5. A basket made from tape line “1” earns one point.

6. A missed basket is worth zero points.

7. You may throw from different lines during your turn if you

choose.

8. The goal of your team is to earn the most points.

9. The scorekeeper will keep track of team points on the board.

10. The referee will be sure the tape line is not crossed.

After all students have participated and scores tallied, facilitate a

group discussion by asking questions including:

• How did you determine which line to throw from?

• Was the strategy different for the first team versus the last

team? Who had the advantage?

• What type of individual risks did you face in the game?

• What opportunities did you have in the game?

• What types of opportunities have you taken in school? In

SkillsUSA? In the workplace?

• What opportunities have you not taken in school? In

SkillsUSA? In the workplace?

• How do you weigh possible outcomes?

Extended Learning Activity

Workplace Skills: Communication, Write and speak effectively

Select a former teacher that made a difference in your life. Send

him or her a note of thanks and include an update about your

educational endeavors. •

“Joining Forces to Proclaim Our Strength”

Content Discussion Questions

1. What is a nonprofit organization?

2. What are some nonprofit organizations in our community?

3. How does Advance CTE help our school, program and

chapter?

4. What impact does federal funding have on our school?

Chapter?

5. How do you advocate for career and technical education and

SkillsUSA at home? In school? In the workplace?

In-Class Activity, 35 minutes

Workplace Skills: Leadership, Confront issues

Materials needed: Internet access for each student (if this is not avail-

able, print out the persuasion map ahead of time)

Use the online persuasion map from Read Write Think at:

www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/persuasion_map/

Give these instructions:

1. Today, you will outline a persuasive argument to support

increased investment in CTE programs.

2. Use the online persuasion map to outline your thoughts and

ideas.

3. You have 15 minutes to work before we share with a partner.

4. Then you will have time to finalize your persuasion map.

After 15 minutes, put students into pairs. Give these instructions:

1. Share and discuss your argument points with your partner.

2. You have five minutes to collaborate.

(Continued on next page)

Lesson Plan Summer 2019.indd 4

8/27/19 4:20 PM

ADVISOR’SLESSON PLAN Did you know every issue of SkillsUSA Championshas an online guide?

Start with basic questions to guide students’ reading.Go on to try fun activities that tie into each article, with direct support of the SkillsUSA Framework.

Just download the guide from the link listed under each issue at SkillsUSA.org.

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GOLD MEDALISTS 2019

3D VISUALIZATION AND ANIMATION: Keith Takens/Ben Waters, Ferris State Univer-sity, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Jose Lopez/Jedediah Ricks, Pima County Joint Technical Education District @ Master Pieces, Tucson, Ariz.

ACTION SKILLS: Humberto Rodriguez, Eastern New Mexico University – Roswell; Matthew Dahl, Azle (Texas) High School ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING: Wyatt Brodgen/Donovan Gentles, Butte College, Oroville, Calif.; Hunter Donahoe/Gabe Yeoman, Spring Valley High School, Huntington, W.Va. ADVERTISING DESIGN: Austin Rains, Sowela Technical Commu-nity College, Lake Charles, La.; Brooklyn Lugar, Fort Wayne (Ind.) Community Schools Career Academy AMERICAN SPIRIT: (team) Buckeye Hills Career Center, Rio Grande, Ohio ARCHITECTURAL DRAFTING: Andrew McCoy, Calhoun Community College, Decatur, Ala.; Jasmine Yachasz, Lancaster County Career and Technical Center, Brown-stown, Pa. AUDIO-RADIO PRODUCTION: Warren Brooker/Chance Graley, Forsyth Technical Community College, Winston-Salem, N.C.; Victoria Brooks/Aiden Kaleta, Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center, Leonardtown, Md. AUTOMATED MANUFACTURING TECHNOL-OGY: (teams) Southwestern Illinois College, Belleville; Norco (Calif.) High School

COLLISION DAMAGE APPRAISAL: Cayden Bailey, Utah Valley University, Orem, Utah; Trientae Enyart, Dixie Technical College, St. George, Utah COLLISION REPAIR TECHNOLOGY: Abagayle Boden, Aims Community College – Windsor, Greeley, Colo.; Noah Borer, Vanguard-Sentinel CTC – Sentinel Campus, Tiffin, Ohio COMMERCIAL BAKING: Karam Lee, The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, N.Y.; Hanna J Christiansen, The Career Academy, Lincoln, Neb. COMMU-NITY ACTION PROJECT: Cody Retiz/Han-nah Retiz, Bossier Parish Community College, Bossier City, La.; Camron McCuish/Luis Pineiro, Lynn (Mass.) Vocational Technical Institute, Lynn, Mass. COMMUNITY SERVICE: (teams) Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, Valdosta, Ga.; Lynn (Mass.) Vocational Technical Institute COMPUTER PROGRAM-MING: Dylan Buehler, Ozarks Technical Community College, Springfield, Mo.; Kyle Steppe, Bucks County Technical High School, Fairless Hills, Pa. COSMETOL-OGY: Josie Deriso, Manatee Technical College, Bradenton, Fla.; Jordan Bunker, Marchman Technical College, New Port Richey, Fla. CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION: (teams) Catawba Valley Community Col-lege, Hickory, N.C.; Chariho Career and Techical Center, Wood River Junction, R.I. CRIMINAL JUSTICE: Drake Feriancek, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Green Bay; Carly Bohm, Livingston Area Career Center, Pontiac, Ill. CULINARY ARTS: Nora Engelken, The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, N.Y.; Reis Miller, Center for Academic Achievement, Overland Park, Kan. CUSTOMER SERVICE: Drew DuBoff, Johnson and Wales University, Providence, R.I.; Veda Kota, Somerset County Academy of Medical Sciences, Bridgewater, N.J. CYBERSECU-RITY: Josh Bruza/Joshua Husted, Francis Tuttle Technology Center – Portland Campus, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Brett Hile/Ethan Michalak, Martin Luther King High School, Riverside, Calif.

DENTAL ASSISTING: Nesta Petit-Ton, Lancaster County Career and Technolo-gy Center, Willow Street, Pa.; John Robert Doiron, Blackstone Valley RVTHS, Upton, Mass. DIESEL EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY: Aaron Heath, Tennessee College of Applied Technology – Harriman; Benja-min Devries, Careerline Tech Center, Holland, Mich. DIGITAL CINEMA PRODUC-TION: Chase Elliott/Robert Shore, Ozarks Technical Community College, Spring-field, Mo.; Trevor Allen/Edward Pollei, Orem (Utah) High School

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: Sylvia Turner, Oconee Fall Line Technical College, Dublin, Ga.; Audrey Hughes, Paso Robles (Calif.) High School

AUTOMOTIVE REFINISHING TECHNOLOGY: Kaiden Brier, Aims Community College – Windsor, Greeley, Colo.; Caden Hoover, Vanguard-Sentinel Career and Technol-ogy Center (CTC) – Sentinel Campus, Tiffin, Ohio AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE TECH-NOLOGY: Ian Gregor, Pikes Peak Commu-nity College, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Xander Bachison, Ogden (Utah) High School AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNOL-OGY: Max Pingree, Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City; Raj Gounden, Aviation Career and Technical Education High School, Queens, N.Y.

BARBERING: Misael Flores, Pickens Technical College, Aurora, Colo.; José Westerband Ramos, School Dr. Maria Socorro Lacot, Guayama, Puerto Rico BASIC HEALTH CARE SKILLS: Annalea Martins, Shawsheen High School, Billerica, Mass. BROADCAST NEWS PRO-DUCTION: (teams) Bossier Parish Com-munity College, Bossier City, La.; Cam-bridge High School, Milton, Ga. BUILDING MAINTENANCE: Trevor Hedges, Moore Norman Technology Center, Norman, Okla.; Kiarra Clay, Vanguard-Sentinel CTC – Vanguard Campus, Fremont, Ohio

CABINETMAKING: Ander Hillebregt, Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park, Minn.; Patrick Duckett, North Cobb High School, Kennesaw, Ga.

CAREER PATHWAYS SHOWCASE: (teams) Anderson W. Clark Magnet High School, La Crescenta, Calif.; Dubiski Career High School, Grand Prairie, Texas; Edgecombe Community College, Tarboro, N.C.; Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center, Altoona, Pa; Nash Community College, Rocky Mount, N.C.; San Benito (Texas) High School; Somerset County Academy of Medical Sciences, Bridgewa-ter, N.J. (two medals); Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, Valdosta, Ga.

CARPENTRY: Bret Gleason, Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, Neb.; Jacob Stage, Bedford (Va.) Science and Technol-ogy Center CHAPTER BUSINESS PROCE-DURE: (teams) Canadian Valley Technolo-gy Center, El Reno, Okla.; Elma (Wash.) High School CHAPTER DISPLAY: (teams) Gordon Cooper Technology Center, Shawnee, Okla.; Sullivan Central High School, Blountville, Tenn. CNC MILLING SPECIALIST: Aaron Telander, Alexandria (Minn.) Technical and Community College; Trent Oswald, Pittsylvania Career and Technical Center, Chatham, Va. CNC TECHNICIAN: Joshua Campbell, Danville (Va.) Community College; Jacob Campbell, Pickens County Career and Technology Center, Liberty, S.C. CNC TURNING SPECIALIST: Matthew Carmody, Johnston Community College, Smith-field, N.C.; Richard Sousa, Diman Region-al Vocational Technical High School (RVTHS), Fall River, Mass.

“Good job!” to the winners in the 103 events at this year’s SkillsUSA Championships. For names of silver and bronze medalists, and those in teams of three or more, go to: www.skillsusa-register.org/rpts/EventMedalists.aspx

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SkillSUSA CHAMPiONSHiPS


ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION WIRING: Brandon Meek, Alfred State College – School of Applied Technology, Wells-ville, N.Y.; Jesse Hill, Green Mountain Technology and Career Center, Hyde Park, Vt. ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY: Keith Mankle, Southern Utah University, Cedar City; Jason Malouin, Pathfinder Vocational Technical High School, Palmer, Mass. EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION PROCESS: Kylie Peck, Northland Pioneer College, Holbrook, Ariz.; Jimmie Wright, Reading-Muhlenberg CTC, Reading, Pa. ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY/DESIGN: (teams) Jones County Junior College, Ellisville, Miss.; Carroll County CTC, Westminster, Md. ENTREPRENEURSHIP: (teams) Utah Valley University, Orem, Utah; Alliance Academy for Innovation, Cumming, Ga. ESTHETICS: Rainey John-son, Northwest Shoals Community College, Muscle Shoals, Ala.; Kaitlyn Wood, Dubiski Career High School, Grand Prairie, Texas EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING: Ricardo Aguilar, Walla Walla (Wash.) Community College; Justin Lindsay, Skyview High School, Vancouver, Wash.

FIREFIGHTING: Griffin Conroy, Utah Valley University, Orem, Utah; Kyle Martin, Lancaster County CTC, Mount Joy, Pa. FIRST AID/CPR: Andrew Hudgins, North Georgia Technical College, Clarkesville; Jimmalyz Oyola, Center for Career and Technology Education, El Paso, Texas

GRAPHIC COMMUNICATIONS: Jade Milloy-Cobb, Illinois Central College, East Peoria; Jordan Martin, South and West Washtenaw Consortium, Saline, Mich. GRAPHICS IMAGING – SUBLIMATION: Samantha Killen, Illinois Central College, East Peoria; Colby Henson, Sikeston CTC, Sikeston, Mo.

HEALTH KNOWLEDGE BOWL: (teams) Gwinnett Technical College, Lawrencev-ille, Ga.; Somerset County Academy of Medical Sciences, Bridgewater, N.J. HEALTH OCCUPATIONS PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO: Carolina Morales, Downey (Calif.) Adult School; Sierra Rose Walsh, Sussex County Technical School, Sparta, N.J. HEATING, VENTILATION, AIR CONDI-TIONING AND REFRIGERATION: Blaine Feeler, State Technical College of Mis-souri, Linn; Ryan Oliver, Gloucester County Institute of Technology, Sewell, N.J.

INDUSTRIAL MOTOR CONTROL: Christian Stezelberger, Northampton Community College, Bethlehem, Pa.; Joseph Friesen, Northeast Technology Center, Kansas, Okla. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SER-VICES: Erik Syck, Texas State Technical College – Waco; Jason Gendron, Nashoba Valley Technical High School, Westford, Mass.

INTERACTIVE APPLICATION AND VIDEO GAME DEVELOPMENT: Declin Lozano, Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center, Choctaw; Ryley Boyles/Jacoby Pasquan, Pierce County Skills Center, Puyallup, Wash. INTERNETWORKING: Vincent Manzo, Manatee Technical College, Bradenton, Fla.; Vinnie Lotona, Maricopa (Ariz.) High School

JOB INTERVIEW: Rebecca Gaston, Gads-den State Community College, Gadsden, Ala.; Bryce Scott, Mid-Maine Technical Center, Waterville JOB SKILL DEMONSTRA-TION A: Kyle Bluitt, East Mississippi Community College, Mayhew; Meghan Proulx, B.M.C. Durfee High School, Fall River, Mass.; David Hinojosa, Kennedy Middle School, Pharr, Texas JOB SKILL DEMONSTRATION OPEN: Victoria Wash-ington, Carteret Community College, Morehead City, N.C.; Amy Andrew, Cuyahoga Valley Career Center, Brecks-ville, Ohio; Naomi Domer, Riverside Middle School, Watertown, Wis.

MAINTENANCE LIGHT REPAIR – AUTOMO-TIVE: Joseph Barry, Doherty High School, Colorado Springs, Colo. MAJOR APPLI-ANCE AND REFRIGERATION TECHNOLOGY: Mehmet Dinceroglu, Ranken Technical College, St. Louis; Samuel Houle, Black-stone Valley RVTHS, Upton, Mass. MARINE SERVICE TECHNOLOGY: Jonathan Tomsche, Iowa Lakes Community College, Emmetsburg, Iowa; Jayden Young, Lexington (S.C.) Technology Center MASONRY: Ashton White, Rowan Cabarrus Community College, Salisbury, N.C.; Grant Helms, West Rowan High School, Mount Ulla, N.C. MECHATRONICS: Victor De La Cruz/Anthony Smith, Savannah (Ga.) Technical College; Ryan Alexander/Carter Spoutz, St. Clair Technical Education Center, Marysville, Mich. MEDICAL ASSISTING: Melissa Wilhite, Southern West Virginia Com-munity and Technical College, William-son; Emily Lemieux, Greater New Bedford (Mass.) RVTHS MEDICAL MATH: Charles Lee, Gwinnett Technical College, Lawrenceville, Ga.; Carly Ngo, Crescenta Valley High School, La Crescenta, Calif. MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY: Annalee John-son, Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center, Leonardtown, Md,; Carly Steinbacher, Tennessee College of Applied Technology – Chattanooga MOBILE ELECTRONICS INSTALLATION: Jonathan Nary, Savannah (Ga.) Technical College; Emilia Iniguez, Schurr High School, Montebello, Calif. MOBILE ROBOT-ICS TECHNOLOGY: Chase Blakey/Benja-min Brownlee, Wallace State College, Hanceville, Ala.; Harsh Bhagat/Smit Bhagat, Warren High School, Downey, Calif. MOTORCYCLE SERVICE TECHNOLOGY: Kevin Neill, Bates Technical College, Tacoma, Wash.; James Lanza, Medina (Ohio) County Career Center

NAIL CARE: Melissa Swigart, Western Technology Center, Burns Flat, Okla.; Quincy Adams, Mountainland Applied Technology College, American Fork, Utah NURSE ASSISTING: Rose Sysskind, Wire-grass Georgia Technical College, Valdos-ta, Ga.; Madison McBride, Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Tech Center, Leonard-town, Md.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY – MULTIPLE: (team) South Pasadena (Calif.) High School OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY – SINGLE: (team) Lynwood (Calif.) High School OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONIES: (teams) Northeast Alabama Community College, Rainsville; North Platte (Neb.) High School; Kitty Hawk Middle School, Universal City, Texas OUTSTANDING CHAP-TER: (teams) Catawba Valley Communi-ty College, Hickory, N.C.; Buckeye Hills Career Center, Rio Grande, Ohio

PHOTOGRAPHY: Nicole Hansen, Utah Valley University, Orem, Utah; Rasti Konkol, Eisenhower High School, Yakima, Wash. PIN DESIGN (STATE CONFERENCE): Jamie Smith, James Rumsey Technical Institute, Martinsburg, W.Va.; Julia Castro, Valley High School, Santa Ana, Calif.; Kimber Cato, McMillan Junior High School, Wylie, Texas PLUMBING: Keith Ashby, Davis Technical College, Kaysville, Utah; Michael Moran, Bay Path RVTHS, Charlton, Mass. POWER EQUIP-MENT TECHNOLOGY: Anthony Gerasch, Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Detroit Lakes; Charles Palmer, Tolles Career and Technical Center, Plain City, Ohio PRACTICAL NURSING: Brittany Machado, Diman RVTHS, Fall River, Mass.; Alexandrea Lemley, Mid-East Career and Technology Centers, Zanesville, Ohio PREPARED SPEECH: Sydney Green, Bossier Parish Community College, Bossier City, La.; McKenna Duitch, Sun Area Technical Institute, New Berlin, Pa. PRINCIPLES OF ENGINEERING/TECHNOLOGY: Garrett Parker, Edgecombe Community College, Tarboro, N.C.; Elkana Corcos, Palmdale (Calif.) High School PROMOTIONAL BULLETIN BOARD: (teams) Autry Technol-ogy Center, Enid, Okla.; Carbon Career and Technical Institute, Jim Thorpe, Pa.

QUIZ BOWL: (teams) Ogeechee Technical College, Statesboro, Ga.; Somerset County Academy of Medical Sciences, Bridgewater, N.J.

RELATED TECHNICAL MATH: Paul Vu, Bossier Parish Community College, Bossier City, La.; Abdul Uddin, Passaic County Technical Institute, Wayne, N.J. RESIDENTIAL SYSTEMS INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE: Bryant Bunyard, Meridi-an Technology Center, Stillwater, Okla.; Dalton Whittle, Waynesville (Mo.) Career Center

RESTAURANT SERVICE: Jerry Zheng, The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, N.Y.; Haley Robison, Branch Area Careers Center, Coldwater, Mich. ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY: Taylor Hart/Isaac Zamudio, Utah Valley University, Orem, Utah; Getty George/Samuel Green, Martin Luther King High School, Riverside, Calif. ROBOTICS: URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE: Miles Bossman/Joseph Walsh, Northeast Community College, Norfolk, Neb.; Caden Branch/Landon Davis, Heritage High School, Maryville, Tenn.; Ty Clark/Rosendo Dominguez, Texas City (Texas) High School

SCREEN PRINTING TECHNOLOGY: James Sullivan, Illinois Central College, East Peoria; Shaunna Ford, Shawsheen High School, Billerica, Mass. SHEET METAL: Andrew Mahr, Des Moines Area Com-munity College, Ankeny, Iowa; Jakob Dixon, Indiana (Pa.) County Technology Center

TEAM ENGINEERING CHALLENGE: (team) Nellie N. Coffman Middle School, Cathedral City, Calif. TEAMWORKS: (teams) Gabriel Lopez, Georgia North-western Technical College, Rock Spring, Ga.; Berks CTC – East Campus, Oley, Pa. TECHNICAL COMPUTER APPLICATIONS: Mikayla Walden, Texas State Tech College – Marshall; Noah Jacobson, Sussex County Technical School, Sparta, N.J. TECHNICAL DRAFTING: Jonathan Pizzolatto, Pikes Peak Community College, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Joey Gemini, York Community High School, Elmhurst, Ill. TELECOMMUNICATIONS CABLING: Daniel Tarlton, Stanly Commu-nity College, Albemarle, N.C.; Mason Brown, Paso Robles (Calif.) High School TELEVISION (VIDEO) PRODUCTION: Chance DeCuir/Vivian Barrilleaux, Sowela Technical Community College, Lake Charles, La.; Claire Bowman/Matt Smoltz, Cambridge High School, Milton, Ga. T-SHIRT DESIGN: Strathearn Wood, Macomb Community College, Warren, Mich.; Anikka Santos, West Career and Technical Academy, Las Vegas

WEB DESIGN: Carissa Hurt/ Ryan Mackey, Ozarks Technical Community College, Springfield, Mo.; Alexandra Chavez/Caleb Hardy, Meridian (Idaho) Technical Charter High School WELDING: Jacob Humphrey, Wallace State College, Hanceville, Ala.; Ryan Whiting, Jackson River Technical Center, Covington, Va. WELDING FABRICATION: (teams) Utah State University Eastern, Price; Maple Mountain High School, Spanish Fork, Utah WELDING SCULPTURE: Caleb Harris, Tennessee College of Applied Technolo-gy – Oneida Huntsville, Huntsville, Tenn.; Porter Kwiatkowski, Davis Technical College, Kaysville, Utah •

Fast Track to the Trades

We’ll guide you, step-by-step, on your journey to a successful career in the trades.

Everything you need is right here!

www.ExploreTheTrades.org

The skilled trades of plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical keep our country running. Jobs in these industries are in high demand and come with great pay, career opportunities and job security.

At Explore The Trades, we want to help you discover that these careers aren’t just a choice – they’re the best choice.

Right Job.Right Guidance. Right Now!

Education

Scholarships

Personal Guide

Apprenticeships

Jobs


The best teachers show you where to look but don’t tell you what to see. Instructor Jason McCuish hopes

you’ll look at his amazing pupils and see for yourself how impressive they are. While McCuish likes to keep the focus on students at Lynn (Mass.) Vocational Technical Institute (LVTI), he earned his own time in the spotlight when named 2019’s SkillsUSA Advisor of the Year. The 15-year teaching veteran became a SkillsUSA advisor five years ago, starting with 12 students in a barely noticed program. He increased involvement as he transformed the culture of his classroom, enhanced the reputation of the school and affected the lives of many individual students in the process. McCuish’s efforts to motivate students resulted in three national gold medals at the SkillsUSA Championships: a 2019 gold medal in Community Action Project plus 2017 and 2019 gold medals in Commu-nity Service. His school has also been recognized three times in SkillsUSA’s Chapter Excellence Program as a Model of Excellence (MOE) winner: in 2019 for the technical skills component; in 2017 for personal skills; and as a Top 24 school in 2015, the first year of the program. McCuish cites with pride his chapter’s winning project this year in the area of technical skills grounded in academics.

By Karen N. Kitzel

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A Good

ReadThis award-winning SkillsUSA advisor motivates students, serves the community and brings positive recognition to his inner-city schoolOn How to Improve Lives

A rare moment in the spotlight: Jason McCuish (right) receives the Advisor of the Year award from his chapter president David Barrios (left) at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in June.

WEB RESOURCESh ToreadmoreaboutLVTI’saward-winning

literacyprogram,goto:sharemylesson.com/blog/gift-reading-their-city

h WanttolearnmoreaboutSkillsUSA’sChapterExcellenceProgram?Goto:www.skillsusa.org/programs/chapter-excellence-program/

h Tofindnewserviceideasthatstudentswilllove,checkoutChampions Serving Others: An Easy Guide to Community Service Projects from:www.skillsusa.org/store/CSO.html


The chapter published a children’s book called Tech Goes to Tiger Town. The book was shared with kindergarten students to encourage them to think about technical careers like culinary arts, electrical trades, engineering and nurse assisting. “Every year, we try to identify some-thing that is lacking within our city,” McCuish says. In the past, his chapter has focused on hunger, substance abuse prevention to address a heroin epidemic, and homelessness among local veterans.

A 20,000-book giveaway takes offThis year, McCuish and his students targeted literacy and raised funds to give away 20,000 books to the community. When they couldn’t find a book about career and technical education, they wrote one. The students drafted, illustrated, published and distributed the book, based on their school’s training programs. Live readings were part of the fun as the students visited classrooms and brought the book’s characters to life. The students practiced their SkillsUSA Framework skills as they mastered the technical skills needed to publish a book. McCuish says the book is dedicated to “SkillsUSA students, past and present, who have also learned that the chase for the gold is also a chase for your dreams.” In the past five years, he and his students raised over $40,000 for local organizations including My Brother’s Table and the Lynn Shelter Association. To remember 9/11 and thank first responders, students delivered gift bags to every fire depart-ment, police station, ambulance base and emergency room nurse in the city. Other service projects were organized and carried out to support other community needs while practicing skills.

McCuish explains that his chapter is focused around leadership and service, but it also strives to enhance the training. “We started doing community outreach, and that’s really what led us to start working with industry, which is now helping improve our technical programs.” He’s found the influence of a good teacher can inspire hope that goes well beyond high school. A surrogate dad to students who don’t have family support, McCuish says these are the ones who tell him they want to pay it forward and become teachers themselves. “SkillsUSA has changed how I approach teaching, how we serve the community, and it has given me a platform for aware-ness. My students work hard because they know they can push me — and they know I’m willing to push for them.” •

Rita Yeary, Region 2 (Virginia) The cosmetology instructor has been advisor at Southampton High School in Franklin, Va., since 2006.

David Urlaub, Region 3 (Michigan) He’s mentored 7,500 students at Bay-Arenac Independent School District Career Center in Bay City.

Jeanne McClish, Region 4 (Oklahoma) “Seeing students’ lives change is motivating,”

says this student organizations coor-dinator from Moore (Okla.) Norman Technology Center, now retired.

Rebecca Dickerson, Region 4 (Missouri) A registered nurse, she’s taught health

occupations at Eldon (Mo.) Career Center for over 10 years.

Norman Champagne, Region 5 (Arizona) This instructional leader instills the SkillsUSA Framework at Yuma’s Kofa High. •

Through each project, students also bring more positive awareness to SkillsUSA and to their school. Born and raised in Lynn, McCuish always enjoyed school and knew he wanted to teach someday. After college in Boston, he returned to Lynn as an English instructor in the public schools. His teaching career is now a passion that can’t and won’t stop. He enjoys fostering a love of learning and a drive to succeed in his students, no matter their career paths. “I can say that choosing Lynn Tech was the best decision of my young life,” says David Barrios, his former chapter president. Another student, Kevin Gomes, adds, “He ensures that everyone feels heard and included. He created a culture of excellence at our school and pushed me until I saw it within myself.”

All smiles: SkillsUSA chapter members at Lynn Vocational Technical Institute share the book they wrote, published and distributed. Tech Goes to Tiger Town was a way for them to connect with kindergarten students around careers,while practicing their own SkillsUSA Framework skills.

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DCA is comprised of nearly 240 companies including local, regional and national contractors and the equipment manufacturers, distributors and other companies that support them in the safe installation of natural gas pipelines and other underground utilities

DCA is proud to partner with SkillsUSA

BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE BUILDING CAREERS

High Pay!

Safe Work Environment!

Great Training!

Unlimited Opportunities in the Natural Gas Industry!

Explore opportunities with DCA companies at www.dcaweb.org

SkillsUSA’s National Leadership Center is located in Leesburg, Va., approximately 50 miles northwest of our nation’s capital,

Washington, D.C. �e building welcomes in�uential visitors such as industry executives, manufacturers and VIPs from education and

government.

For additional sponsorship opportunities, please contact Helen Carafa at 703-737-0637

[email protected]

urchase your own custom-engraved paver for the walkway of SkillsUSA’s National Leadership Center and learn more about this campaign at:

www.skillsusa.org/store/pavers

HELP US BUILD

FOR THE FUTURE,

BRICK BY BRICK.

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For Justin Jackson and Marquis Thomas, getting into robotics led to a lot more

than a gold medal in their state SkillsUSA competition. It gave them a whole new outlook on education. “Just as long as I was passing the class, that’s all that mattered to me” until men-tor and robotics coach Robert Lorenzo “changed my mindset,” says Thomas (right). “He always told me I have so much potential. My mom and the rest of my family told me the exact same thing, but I didn’t believe them. It took someone that only knew me for a couple years.” Jackson (left) agrees. “It shook up my whole perspective of high school. It gave me a lot of opportunities to express myself in different ways, using the robot.” After two years in the program at Essex County Schools of Technology in West Caldwell, N.J., they’ve seen their GPAs jump a full point. Now both seniors aspire to go to college for engineering.

CODED FOR SUCCESSHow Robotics Reprogrammed Their Outlook

“Growing up in Newark, the stereotype that’s pushed onto you is, music or being some type of an athlete is the only way to seriously be successful or make a name for yourself,” Thomas notes. “Mr. Lorenzo said, ‘Yes, that’s a way to go, but look at this huge amount of money that you’re just leaving behind [as an engineer].’ ” Jackson and Thomas were the first in their state to compete in Robotics: Urban Search and Rescue at the SkillsUSA Championships. “Over time, I had to learn how he operates things, what are his flaws and what’s his strength,” Jackson says, adding teamwork skills to what they’ve learned individually in class. •By E. Thomas Hall

CODED FOR SUCCESS


toolbox

Findthephoto,winaprize No, the picture on the left isn’t abstract art. It’s actually a distorted part of another photo in this issue. Find the original photo and tell us the story or page where it appears to win a SkillsUSA special “sackpack” (first prize) or travel mug (second prize). To enter, email your answer, name, address and phone number to [email protected] (include “Photo Contest” in the subject line). Or, send to SkillsUSA Photo Contest, 14001 SkillsUSA Way, Leesburg, VA 20176. One first- and one second-prize winner will be drawn at random from the correct entries. Entries must be received by Nov. 15. Congratulations to last issue’s winners: Robert Chambers of Henderson, Tenn., and Varun Punnam of Bridgewater, N.J. •

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When Slogans Become Declarations of Confidence

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Opportunity doesn’t make appointments. You have to be ready when it arrives.

— Tim Fargo

SkillsUSA’s theme this year is “SkillsUSA: Champions at Work, I’m

Ready.” It’s a theme that could easily elicit the response, “Ready for what?” As a class, come up with answers to that question. What are some areas in life, both personally and professionally, that SkillsUSA is helping you get “ready” for? How is SkillsUSA helping you get ready? One way to show you’re ready is with the new Career Essentials Credential, part of the SkillsUSA Career Essentials program. Everyone who earns the credential maintains a career-readiness portfolio that demonstrates transferrable career readi-ness skills and the ability to successfully contribute to the workplace. In short, it makes you “kind of a big deal.” During SkillsUSA’s recent national conference, the first credentials were awarded at a special event (see photo at right). Learn more at: careeressentials.org. •

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spotlight

HELPING HANDS,HELPING HEARTSGO TOGETHER

W ithout having to worry about food, students at Texas State

Technical College can move one step closer to achieving their education and career goals. SkillsUSA Community Service national medalists Isela Rodri-guez, Iris Juarez and Alexandra Lugo (below) decided to incorporate their skills to create an on-campus food pantry. Students partnered with faculty and staff, as well as local charities in Harlin-gen, to provide supplies and funding to make this project come to life. This silver-medal-winning idea was a sustain-able solution to student hunger. •

Sparking a champion In Nevada, Desert Oasis High School students had a vision of creating an impactful event that would benefit both the community and the school. They decided to plan a job fair in which students could experience the profes-sional world. After rigorous planning by SkillsUSA members, the first event took place in January. With 33 vendors from local workforce and 2,060 students, the event was a major success. News stations decided to pick up the story and share the hard work students had put into planning the job fair, which sparked a huge change in the community of Enterprise. •

CatawbaValleyCommunityCollege

studentsdecidedtoembracethediver-

sityintheircommunitybyhostinga

“CelebrationofNations.”TheSkillsUSA

membersinHickory,N.C.,involvedlocal

vendorstopromotetheirbusinesses,

idealsandgoalsduringtheevent.The

celebrationshowcasedculturaldiversi-

ty,strengthandequalitybyhosting

traditionaldances,entertainmentand

foodforthepublic.•

Celebratingapositiveperspective

Photo:CourtesyGloucesterInstituteofTechnology.Usedwithpermission.

Torestoreaforgottenhistory,studentsuseoneskillatatimeGloucester Institute of Technology students restored the local African

American Veterans Cemetery in Franklinville, N.J. The SkillsUSA members were joined by Lowe’s Home Improvement to donate supplies such as plants and paint. Students put their various skills together to create new fencing, build benches, add new landscaping and mow the land, creating a bright new space that recognizes and honors the fallen soldiers. Due to the rich history of the cemetery, students created information brochures to display in newly installed boxes for visitors.

To celebrate the project, local veterans did a presentation of the flag, a 21-gun salute and Civil War reenactments. The cemetery was later dedicated to the three Civil War veterans buried there. •

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Seniors Sarah Clark (left) and Jacob Weist (right) gear up for a drill in the firefighting/EMS lab at Miami Valley Career Technology Center in Englewood, Ohio. Photography student Emily Smith took the photo; her advisor is Troy Baker.

Envision a world where hiring managers get a list of applicants and each one has documented personal, technical and workplace readiness skills. SkillsUSA Career Essentials gives us that tool. If we do our jobs, that vision becomes a reality.

Trey Michael of the N.C. Department of Public Instruction at the launch of the SkillsUSA Career Essentials Credential

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SkillsUSA Champions features our members’ photography. We’re looking for images of SkillsUSA chapters in action, or ones that show individual members’ concentration or perseverance. For details, email [email protected] (put “Image Photo” in the subject

header) or write SkillsUSA Champions, 14001 SkillsUSA Way, Leesburg, VA 20176. The photographer’s chapter is awarded $150. •

Why does 3M partner with SkillsUSA? I always turn that around and say, “Who better is there for 3M to partner with than SkillsUSA?”Maureen Tholen of 3M,WorldSkills USA lead sponsor

A pipeline of possibilities await.

The National Association of Sewer Service Companies, better known

as NASSCO, is a proud national sponsor of SkillsUSA.

NASSCO’s mission is to set standards for the assessment, maintenance

and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure and to assure the

continued acceptance and growth of trenchless technologies. Or, in

simpler terms, to make sure our sewer systems are operating at full

capacity and to build awareness of the sophisticated technologies

available to identify and fix potential sewer failures before they happen. #SewerSavvy

To learn more about careers in sewer service technologies visit nassco.org.

A pipeline of possibilities await.

The National Association of Sewer Service Companies, better known

as NASSCO, is a proud national sponsor of SkillsUSA.

NASSCO’s mission is to set standards for the assessment, maintenance

and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure and to assure the

continued acceptance and growth of trenchless technologies. Or, in

simpler terms, to make sure our sewer systems are operating at full

capacity and to build awareness of the sophisticated technologies

available to identify and fix potential sewer failures before they happen. #SewerSavvy

To learn more about careers in sewer service technologies visit nassco.org.

EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO DEFINE, IMPLEMENT

AND MEASURE THEIR CAREER-READINESS SKILLS

he SkillsUSA Career Essentials suite engages

students in career-readiness skills along every point

in their educational journey, whether it be middle-school,

high-school or college/postsecondary. The curriculum

generates high levels of student engagement and

is built on evidence-based outcomes that support

the industry-validated Career-Ready Assessment.

Together, curricula and assessments work to

culminate in students earning the industry-

recognized Career Essentials credentials.

T

For full details on the SkillsUSA Career Essentials suite of products including purchasing information, please visit: www.careeressentials.org

SkillsUSA CE General Ad 19_v2 FINAL.indd 1 8/7/19 10:12 AM

skillsusa champions · 2019-09-25 · anita foor, senior curriculum manager kim skillsusahegedus,...

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