SkillsUSA

championsWINTER 2018

insider’s guide competitors share top tips rallying support from Washington a whole new WorldSkills championships and connections with local employers

Are You Job-Ready? How Contests Help features

SHOP OUR BRAND LIVE OUR LIFESTYLE Shop Our Store — www.SkillsUSAstore.org contentsWINTER 2018 features

Voyage to Arabia The SkillsUSA WorldTeam shares the experience of competing in . Plus: Meet the “Best in Nation” winner who once 8 considered dropping out of high school. BY CRAIG E. MOORE departments 5 Ask Tim Metamorphic BY TIM LAWRENCE Under pressure, a geologist transforms her career into something completely different. 6 What’s New Now she’s going places as a carpenter. BY TOM KERCHEVAL 11 BY E. THOMAS HALL 2 0 Toolbox BY TOM KERCHEVAL 2018 Championships Insider’s Guide An annual look at SkillsUSA competitions 21 Spotlight — 50 years old and still going strong — BY ANN P. SCHREIBER reveals what’s new and what it takes to win. 13 BY CRAIG E. MOORE, ANN P. SCHREIBER 22 Image AND E. THOMAS HALL BY E. THOMAS HALL

Gold Standard: Industry Partner A recruiter for a leading power- 19 equipment company says “SkillsUSA is our best avenue for helping dealers recog- nize that there are skilled workers right in their backyard.” BY KAREN N. KITZEL SHOP OUR BRAND On the Cover: SkillsUSA Champion Ainslee Matheson of LIVE OUR LIFESTYLE Lehi, Utah. Photo by Lloyd Wolf.

Shop Our Store — www.SkillsUSAstore.org Winter 2018 SkillsUSA Champions 3 SkillsUSA champions SkillsUSA’s Official Magazine Board of Directors SkillsUSA champions online 14001 SkillsUSA Way, Leesburg, VA 20176-5494 Chris Arvin (Caterpillar Inc.) 703-777-8810 Sam Bottum (Snap-on Incorporated) Experience SkillsUSA Champions interactively at: www.skillsusa.org Charles Wallace (Maryland) www.skillsusa.org.l The digita format responds Brent Kindred (Wisconsin) for viewing on all electronic devices. Teachers re- Magazine Staff/Office of Communications James King (Tennessee) ceiving this issue in hard copy are asked to share Tom Hall, Director Clay Mitchell (California) it with their students and others via email and Ann Schreiber, Associate Director, Communications Peggy Torrens (Kansas) social media. Then see even more champions on: Craig Moore, Senior Manager, Web/Technology Sarah Heath (Advance CTE) Tom Kercheval, Senior Manager, Audiovisual Dean Baker (Association for Career and Technical Technology/Communications Education) Jane Short, Manager, Public Relations/Communications Darren Gibson (SkillsUSA State Directors Association) Karen Kitzel, Manager, Public Relations/Communications Jennifer Worth (American Association of Community Darlenne Helena, Specialist, Digital/Social Media Colleges) Volume 52, No. 2 (Lowe’s Companies Inc.) SkillsUSA Champions (ISSN 1040-4538) is published four times Troy Dally per school year — Fall (October/November), Winter (December/ Office of the Executive Director Russ Hoffbauer (State Farm Insurance Companies) January), Spring (February/March) and Summer (April/ Tim Lawrence, Executive Director John Kett (Insurance Auto Auctions Inc.) May) — by SkillsUSA Inc. at 14001 SkillsUSA Way, Leesburg, Shelly Coates, Associate Director, Conference Kaye Morgan-Curtis (Newell Brands) VA 20176. Periodicals postage paid at Management Services Chris Tesmer (Newell Brands) Leesburg, VA, and at additional mailing Ashley Ridgeway, Manager, Conference Management Cameron Ferguson (Emeritus/Caterpillar Inc.) offices. Copyright 2018 by SkillsUSA. All Services rights reserved. Sandra Moore, Administrative Assistant National Student Officers/Advisors POSTMASTER: Send address corrections igh chool H S to SkillsUSA Champions, Attn.: Patty Administration and Finance Lizetthe Moreno/Matthew Busby (Texas) Duncan, 14001 SkillsUSA Way, Leesburg, Kim Graham, Director Scott Hicks/Amy Hicks () VA 20176. Melissa Wilson, Associate Director, Human Resources Marangelis Lopez/Virginia Cann (Connecticut) Keith Ashby, Manager, Educational Resources/ Rosa Cartagena/Terri Inwood (Florida) The names SkillsUSA, SkillsUSA Championships and SkillsUSA National Center Laila Mirza/Rick Stephens (Maryland) Champions; the SkillsUSA: Champions at Work slogan; and the Sarah Utterback, Manager, Accounting Grace Kirrane/Anne Marie Cataldo (Massachusetts) SkillsUSA logo, emblem and slogan art are all registered trade- Roxanne Hodge, Customer Service Representative Hunter Radford/Joyce Price (Virginia) marks of SkillsUSA Inc. All rights are reserved, and permission (Wisconsin) must be granted by the national headquarters of SkillsUSA Jade Barma/Robert priory to an use. Business Partnerships and Development Brenna Stinnett/Vanessa McClure (Oklahoma) Christa Floresca, Director Bryce Romero/Denny Vasquez (California) In keeping with a tra- Heidi Walsh, Program Director dition of respect for Dave Worden, Program Director, SkillsUSA College/Postsecondary the individuality of our Championships Josie Wolfe/Joshua Klemp (Rhode Island) members and our role Jim Kregiel, Senior Manager, SkillsUSA Brad Ridder/Buddie Ritchie (Virginia) in workforce develop- Championships Maci Key/Jonathan Minyard (Alabama) ment, SkillsUSA strives to Program Manager, SkillsUSA (Utah) ensure inclusive partic- Jeremy Ballentine, Madison Whitney/Greg Bartholomew ipation in all of our programs, partnerships and employment Championships Jeremy Copeland/Jeff Herndon (Oklahoma) opportunities. Helen Carafa, Program Specialist

Education Kelly Horton, Director Associate Director Gayle Silvey, U.S. Postal Service Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation Gene Dudley, Senior Regional Manager Senior Curriculum Manager Publication Title: SkillsUSA Champions. Publication No.: 22,971; issue, 25,492; Mailed in-County Paid Subscriptions Anita Foor, 1040-4538. Filing Date: 10/5/17. Issue Frequency: Fall (October/ Stated on PS Form 3541: average, none; issue, none; Paid Kim Hegedus, Senior Education Development Manager November), Winter (December/January), Spring (February/ Distribution Outside the Mails Including Sales Through Patty Duncan, Program Manager, Member Services March), Summer (April/May). No. of Issues Published Annually: Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales and Other and Assessments four. Annual Subscription Price: $20.00. Mailing Address of Paid Distribution Outside USPS: average, none; issue, none; Courtney Ferrell, Program Manager, Professional Known Office of Publication: 14001 SkillsUSA Way, Leesburg, VA Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail Through the USPS: 20176-5494 (Loudoun County). Contact Person: E. Thomas Hall, average, none; issue, none. Total Paid and/or Requested Development 703-777-8810, Ext. 626. Mailing Address of Headquarters: same. Distribution: average, 22,971; issue, 25,492. Free or Nominal Susanne Kahler, Program Manager, Member Services Publisher: SkillsUSA Inc., same address. Editor: E. Thomas Hall, Rate Distribution — Outside-County Copies Stated on PS Form Stephanie Bland, Program Specialist same address. Owner: SkillsUSA Inc., 14001 SkillsUSA Way, 3541: average, 2,465; issue, 2,172; In-County Copies Included on Laura Rauch, Program Specialist, Member Services Leesburg, VA 20176. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees and PS Form 3541: average, none; issue, none; Copies Mailed at and Assessments Other Security Holders: none. The purpose, function and Other Classes Through the USPS: average, none; issue, none. nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status Distribution Outside the Mail: average, none; issue, none. Total Taryn Zeigler, Program Specialist for federal income tax purposes has not changed during the Free or Nominal Rate Distribution: average, 2,465; issue, 2,172. preceding 12 months. Issue Date for Circulation Data: Fall 2017. Total Distribution: average, 25,436; issue, 27,664. Copies Not Advertising/Partnership Inquiries Extent and Nature of Circulation: Average No. Copies Each Distributed: average, 1,314; issue, 1,336. Total: average, 26,750; Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 26,750; No. Copies of Single issue, 29,000. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation: Christa Floresca, 703-737-0603 Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 29,000. Paid and/or average, 90%; issue, 92%. I certify that all information Requested Circulation — Mailed Outside-County Paid and/or furnished on this form is true and complete. E. Thomas Hall, Requested Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: average, Director of Communications, SkillsUSA.

4 SkillsUSA Champions Winter 2018 asktim

Put Excellence into Practice Executive Director Tim Lawrence has known SkillsUSA as a student member, instructor, industry partner and state director. Got a question? He can help. & Can competitions helpQ me be job- than fourth Aplace, determining whether Q:ready both locally and globally? someone earns the title of national Tim: If you spend long hours practicing champion or goes home without a medal. the basics, when the time is right and the Also in this issue, you’ll read about our spotlight is on, you will succeed. Think SkillsUSA WorldTeam members, who about some of our superstar athletes. Once returned in October with four medal- during a practice, the NBA’s Stephen lions of excellence from the WorldSkills Curry hit 77 three-point shots in a row. event held in Abu Dhabi. It was a long and Can you imagine delivering a 9½-inch ball fascinating journey — both the travel to through an 18-inch rim suspended 10 feet the and the quest to in the air, from nearly 24 feet away, that be the best in the world in 10 events. many times without a lot of practice? Whether you enter an occupational or This is an exciting time in the SkillsUSA a leadership event, our competitions are a year, as members prepare for competitions great way to hone your personal discipline at the local, district and state levels. Most and the skills needed for success on the winners put in long hours of practice prior job. Some skills may change, but certain to the nationals. In this issue of SkillsUSA abilities are always in demand: maintain- Champions, students explain how compet- ing composure under pressure, absorbing ing builds confidence, increases concen- information quickly and solving problems. tration and improves technical skills. As the philosopher Aristotle said a long For each of our competitions, standards time ago, “We are what we repeatedly do. are designed to test the skills of entry- Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” level workers. Read on for tips from the In time, you’ll find that life is a continuous industry experts who write these rules. competition. At whatever point you are They’ve worked hard to become the best in your journey, your SkillsUSA experi- at what they do and are looking to pass on ence will prepare you for the challenges their knowledge to a new generation. and opportunities you’ll face as a global I’ve always said that the difference worker, leader and citizen. • between “acceptable” and “exceptional” is attention to detail. That applies to Got questions about SkillsUSA or other topics? SkillsUSA competitions as well as the Email [email protected] or send a letter to workplace. Often the score of a the address on the facing page. Put “Ask Tim” medalist is a few decimal points higher in the subject line or mail address.

Winter 2018 SkillsUSA Champions 5 what’snew

Delivering in D.C. New PSA Coming Your Way

ational television personality, carpenter, business owner and NS all-around super-cool dudette Kayleen McCabe has joined with WLTI Grows SkillsUSA to create public service announcements you can use to promote your local SkillsUSA chapter — and career and technical education in To Fit the Bill general — to the public at large. killsUSA’s Washington Leader- highlight of the 2017 event came when The PSAs come in the audio and ship Training Institute (WLTI) student delegations from the 28 participat- video variety; they address the skills gap Screated lasting memories for the record ing states visited 104 congressional offices threatening our economy at the local 494 attendees who participated, but the on Capitol Hill to advocate for SkillsUSA. and national levels while positioning positive effects of the event won’t be rele- Students also took part in a wreath- SkillsUSA as a vital solution to filling gated to nostalgia. Like a ripple expanding laying ceremony at Arlington National that gap. across water, WLTI’s rewarding repercus- Cemetery, visited the Pentagon Memorial Send the audio versions to your local sions continue to affect the future. and hosted a rally for career and technical radio stations, and share the video on Held annually in Washington, D.C., education attended by Secretary of Educa- social media. Find them all at: http:// WLTI is an advanced leadership training tion Betsy DeVos. For more details and tinyurl.com/Kayleen-McCabe-PSA. • conference for students and advisors. The photos, visit: http://tinyurl.com/wlti2017. •

Students from Massachusetts visit Sen. Elizabeth Warren to advocate for SkillsUSA, one of many life-changing moments for members at WLTIWLTI.. ercheval K

Tom

Photo:

6 SkillsUSA Champions Winter 2018 what’snew

LOWE’S GRANTS HELP CHAPTERS EFFECT CHANGE Dropping the Number of Dropouts New findings published by the American Educa- o SkillsUSA chapters and the local communities they represent, tional Research Association show that high Tthe ongoing generosity of Lowe’s is school students who complete career and tech- becoming as synonymous with fall as the crunch of multicolored leaves nical education courses during their junior and under cozy boots. As it’s done since senior years are more likely to graduate on time 2006, the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation recently and less likely to drop out than other students. delivered a new round of grants to “This lends support to the idea of further expan- SkillsUSA chapters across the nation. This year’s grants — part of $1.5 sion of CTE coursework in high school,” says million in total support — went to 31 Michael Gottfried, a professor at the University schools to enhance their campuses and communities while helping students of California who helped conduct the study. “Our hone their trade skills. findings indicate that [taking these courses] is “Lowe’s is one of our finest partners, providing millions of dollars that linked to student persistence and success.” Learn go directly to enriching local and more at: http://tinyurl.com/aera-graduation. • state SkillsUSA programs,” says Tim Lawrence, SkillsUSA’s execu- tive director. “Our partnership with SkillsUSA is important to helping address the growing demand for skilled workers in the ,” e know, it seems like the latest echoes James Frison, director of Make your mark National Leadership and Skills community relations at Lowe’s. ConferenceW just happened yesterday. But Grant winners were selected based on SkillsUSA’s there’s another one now appearing on the on their project description, overall distant horizon, and if you want to be a strategy and the level of community biggest event part of shaping how it looks, it’s time to engagement the project would inspire. start ... designing. This year’s recipients will be using The SkillsUSA National Conference their grants to support local homeless Pin and T-shirt Design Challenge is shelters, install virtual reality systems open to all our paid members, and it’s a to assist with leadership training, great way to have a student and advisor create a community garden, convert from your state achieve some national a retired school bus into a food truck, recognition. The winning designs will repair a sidewalk at a local preschool, become the official pin or T-shirt for create an art gallery, prevent animal the 2018 NLSC and will be produced by cruelty and more. For full details and the SkillsUSA Store. All entries must be Wolf to see how your chapter can apply for received by Feb. 5. For full contest guide- Llo next year’s grants, visit: http://tinyurl. lines, visit: www.skillsusa.org/competitions/ com/lowes-grants-2017. • Photo: yd pin-design-challenge/. •

Winter 2018 SkillsUSA Champions 7

2017 WORLDSKILLS COMPETITION, ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Voyage to

While not quite a magic carpet ride, the first Arabia WorldSkills Competition in an Arab country was an incredible journey for the 11-member U.S. team

or the student competitors repre- The SkillsUSA WorldTeam members By Craig E. Moore senting the United States at the 44th were welcomed by girls from Alfeteh FWorldSkills Competition, the trip Primary School at “One School, One was long but life-changing. Country,” a cultural exchange. They “To experience the unique Middle were treated to songs, traditional dances, Eastern culture and meet workforce henna, incense, perfumes, sports demon- development experts from every corner strations and large quantities of food. of the globe truly expands your mind to Afterward, the team was transported to new possibilities and perspectives,” Tim a “desert camp experience” so they could Lawrence, SkillsUSA executive director, get a small taste of Emirati culture. This said after the event. “It was an incredible included traditional clothes, calligraphy, journey in so many ways.” camel rides and dune busting in SUVs. SkillsUSA is the official U.S. repre- The biennial competition takes place sentative to WorldSkills. In October, 11 over four days. In 2017, there were 1,240 American competitors from 10 different other competitors from a total of 58 states flew from Washington, D.C., to nations competing in 51 trade areas. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Four of the American students were awarded medallions of excellence for Facing page, clockwise from top: the earning 700 or more points from the SkillsUSA WorldTeam tours the Sheikh maximum total of 800: Chandler Vincent Zayed Grand Mosque; Web Design from Price, Utah, in Welding; Krzysztof ON THE WEB competitor Riley Johnson enjoys a moment Zamajtys from Bohemia, N.Y., in Refrig- h Meet the entire SkillsUSA WorldTeam with peers from and ; eration and Air Conditioning; Asher at: www.skillsusa.org/competitions/ local children welcome the Americans Chicoine from East Hampton, Mass., in worldskills/ Plumbing and Heating; and Kylie Burkey at a “One School, One Country” event; h Find photos galore of the international for Hairdressing contestant Kylie Burkey, from Bristol, Tenn., in Hairdressing. competitions, ceremonies and tours getting a temporary henna tattoo was part “Coming up on the last day was bitter- at: www.skillsusa.org/competitions/ worldskills/worldskills-photos/ e of the cultural experience; team members sweet,” said Chandler Kerr, the Print Moor Krzysztof Zamajtys, Joshua Whittington Media Technology competitor from

E. h

To learn more about the WorldSkills and Chandler Kerr join a WorldSkills Severn, Md. “The final goodbyes were Competition, visit: www.worldskills.org Cr Ireland friend for a camel ride through the emotional. We formed tight bonds and

Photos: desertaig. got to know each other very well.” •

Winter 2018 SkillsUSA Champions 9 Love of welding turned him from dropout to Best in Nation

n just a few short years, Chandler “I set a goal to win the U.S. Welding Vincent went from being ready to trials and focused exclusively on Idrop out of high school to being named making that happen,” Vincent says. He one of the best welders in the world. achieved that goal in 2016. After more Like many stories, Vincent’s begins training, he traveled to the United in high school. In short, he wasn’t a fan. Arab Emirates, with the rest of the He preferred being outside hunting 11-person team of student competitors. and fishing to being in a classroom. While Vincent’s mother convinced him that he didn’t he should give high school one more medal in chance by finding one class he liked. Abu Dhabi, The competition brings people That’s how he discovered the welding Vincent was together from many nations, often program at Uintah Basin Applied named Best Technology College (UBATC) in of Nation with emotional results. At the Vernal, Utah. as the opening ceremony, the U.S. team “When I first got into the program, U.S. team was ahead of the group from . I was a high school dropout,” Vincent member says. “My mom convinced me to go with the highest overall total score. When Linda Ward, the American for one semester to see if I could do it. Vincent also received a Medallion expert in Hairdressing, agreed to I found welding at the UBATC, and it of Excellence in his trade. These are pose for this photo with an Ira- kept me in school.” awarded to competitors who earn 700 As his mother, Melinda Hadlock, or more points out of a maximum nian interpreter, the men from adds, “He realized he loved welding his possible total of 800. Iran closed in, shouted “Yes!” and freshman year, and then he decided to The young welder is quick to started taking their own pictures. be the best welder he could be. We are recognize the trainers, supporters and proud of him.” industry partners who helped him The interpreter, almost crying, It wasn’t long before Vincent was along the way. thanked the Americans profusely. • competing — and winning — his “I am thankful for the sacrifice and state’s SkillsUSA competitions. After support of others who made it possible competing twice at the national cham- for me to pursue my dream. It is an SkillsUSA WORLDTEAM pionships, he was selected to participate honor to represent my country and SPONSORS in the Welding trials for the SkillsUSA the welding trade at the WorldSkills WorldTea m. Competition,” he says. •

Adams Products e Moor

American Welding Society E. Automotive Service Excellence Cr Automotive Service Technology Contest

Technical Committee Photos: aig. Bon Tool Co. Collision Repair Technology Contest Technical Committee Deere and Co. FESTO Gates Construction Co. Inc. Griffin Masonry Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contest Technical Committee Johnson Concrete Co. Pivot Point Printing and Graphics Association, Mid- Atlantic (PGAMA) SharkTech Academy •

10 SkillsUSA Champions Winter 2018 ‘METAMORPHIC’

assandra Puletapuai feels a certain kinship with wrestler-turned-actor CDwayne Johnson, otherwise known as The Rock. And with rocks in general. As Puletapuai (pronounced POOH-lay- TAH-pooh-WHY ) says of her Samoan heritage, “We don’t have many role models, if you will.” By pursuing success as a carpenter, “I’m hoping to show my Polynesian brothers and sisters, ‘Hey, this one is for us. This is possible,’ ” she adds. “Because we just have The Rock.” Coincidentally, she’s a former geologist. After getting a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri – Kansas City, Puletapuai worked on prestigious projects for engineering and hydrogeology firms nationwide. But in that profession, she realized, the only path to progress was a lot more time in school taking classes. “It wasn’t where I wanted to be,” she says. “It’s not where I wanted to grow.” Talking with a couple of her friends who were welders, “I noticed, ‘Hey, wait a minute, you guys are surpassing me in your income. You have no student debt, and you’re able to sit at the table with me.’ “I did kind of one of those steps back, analyzed my life, and that’s when I realized, ‘Wow, you guys have all this advancement, upward mobility, the oppor- tunity to be an entrepreneur and start your own business.’ That’s when I started scouting technical training.” Although she’d never A self-described Army brat, Puletapuai picked up a hammer, was born in Germany and had lived in Illinois, Texas and Virginia before settling Cassandra Puletapuai in Leawood, Kan. “My favorite TV show when I was little left a career in geology was ‘Home Improvement,’ like Bob Villa, and I loved Heidi,” she remembers, refer- for one in carpentry. ring to the comedy’s “Tool Girl” charac- The decision may not ter. “It’s so funny how that ended up. I was like, ‘Hey, wake up! I need to be them.’ ” only transform her life After coming across Kansas City Kansas Community College, “I started looking but others’ as well around at what I wanted to do, and I was By E. Thomas Hall just drawn to carpentry,” Puletapuai says. After seeing what the program offered — building a house — she knew “that’s what Wolf I definitely want to do.” Llo

Photo: yd Winter 2018 SkillsUSA Champions 11 “Just by being at this conference, I’ve met other carpenters, other teachers, who are willing to share their knowledge with me. … Like a metamorphic rock, Puletapuai I feel the connections I’ve As for future plans, “I will continue to admits she was “a little rough” at first. “I’d be an advocate for SkillsUSA, volunteer,” never picked up a hammer; I’d never sawed made are very genuine.” she adds. “I also want to start my own anything.” But after becoming more business and be an entrepreneur. polished, her creative nature drew her to being at this conference, I’ve met other “I’m already ready to go and build design and the perfectionism it requires. carpenters, other teachers, who are willing buildings,” the student asserts. “No, I’m “For women, we have that natural atten- to share their knowledge with me. They’re realistic with my goals, but slowly but tion to detail, which is what carpentry is like, ‘How are you doing? Do you know surely, I know I would probably start with all about and geared to,” she explains. how to do this?’ or ‘Hey, look me up.’ I remodeling, slowly start there and then love that, because at a university I felt it probably get into new construction.” A rock-solid platform was very ‘sink or float’ and very closed off, To help her neighbors attain the In the carpentry program, Puletapuai like, ‘I know more than you.’ I didn’t like American Dream, Puletapuai wants to says she was “motivated by not only the that.” Now, she adds, “I feel the connec- offer quality homes at an affordable price. mechanics of what’s offered on the techni- tions I’ve made are very genuine.” She also dreams of a faraway place and cal side but definitely the personal and Being a SkillsUSA leader has given her a lifting its residents out of poverty — the professional skills that are offered.” platform to encourage more women to go something even The Rock can’t do. As a SkillsUSA member, she was elected into carpentry. “I became an advocate as “I made this promise: If I am success- to state office and competed nationally in I got further and further into my educa- ful, I will definitely go back to American Extemporaneous Speaking. tion,” she says. At her school’s career day, Samoa and teach my own Polynesian “The networking is immense,” she her words have resonated with female brothers and sisters how to do a trade in describes the most recent SkillsUSA visitors. Others are listening, too, from carpentry, so they can get off the island or conference in Louisville, Ky. “Just by state legislators to middle-school girls. make a living there,” she says. • jwu.edu/NSO AUTOMOTIVE REFINISHING TECHNOLOGY elax. Have fun. Don’t “Rstress out over it,” advises Melanie Thomas, a Marengo, Ill., native who won her first state champi- onships three years ago in high school. Now at Wau- bonsee Community College, she returned to nationals knowing “you’re going to be nervous In 1967, our first competitive events no mat- were held nationally. ter what. Fifty years later, Everyone SkillsUSA still sets is. You’re the standard for not the only what it means to be one.” • job-ready Day One

ON THE WEB h Know the rules. Teachers who are professional members get the 2018 SkillsUSA Championships Technical Standards as a benefit. Go to: www. skillsusa-register.org/Login.aspx

h Don’t see your event represented in these pages? Check the responsive digital publication, which covers even more from the contest organizers, at: https://www.skillsusa.org/publications- news/skillsusa-champions-magazine/

Photos: (main) Lloyd Wolf; (inset) Janet Cantore-Watson

Winter 2018 SkillsUSA Champions 13 How does your competition MOTORCYCLE GRAPHIC SERVICE TECHNOLOGY help prepare students to be COMMUNICATIONS By requiring verbal By providing hands- skills (interview), job-ready Day One on, practical experi- reading and techni- ence on live, relevant cal skills, the contest equipment and the challenges contestants with tasks that ROBOTICS: URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE chance to interact directly with members a technician entering the workforce By introducing the basics of mechanical of the industry itself. would be faced with. Routine vehicle engineering and understanding how drive DAN WHEELER, DK WHEELER TRAINING & CONSULTING SERVICES maintenance skills, problem solving trains, motors and servos work. and critical thinking all play a part in TONY ALLEN, PITSCO EDUCATION TELECOMMUNICATIONS CABLING being successful in the service industry, We often provide hands-on training and this contest presents scenarios that MOTORCYCLE SERVICE TECHNOLOGY updates, exposing students to important cover all of these skills. We focus on the real-world skill set industry technology such as fiber optics MARIANNE TAYLOR, MMI required by an entry-level motorcycle that they might not encounter during technician and hold all contestants to full their schooling. They are also tested on COLLISION REPAIR TECHNOLOGY industry standards. work readiness skills needed for any job By getting industry leaders to develop JAKE ANDERSON, MOTORCYCLE MECHANICS INSTITUTE and earn certification for that area. the competition using industry TERESA MAHER, ETA INTERNATIONAL standards. We continue to stay on the HEATING, VENTILATION, AIR CONDITIONING cutting edge of repairs and technology AND REFRIGERATION (HVACR) DIESEL EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY used in vehicles today. We have added By challenging the students to actually see By testing contestants on all aspects of the different attachment methods what possible issues could be found in the both off-road equipment and over-the- used on vehicles, like weld-bonding actual field. road vehicles. This helps prepare students and rivet-bonding. The Plastic Repair HAROLD NELSON, MINGLEDORFF’S INC. to work in a wide range of fields within the segment demonstrated nitrogen plastic diesel repair industry. This includes tech- welding in 2017, which will be scored CULINARY ARTS nical aspects as well as some soft skills. in 2018. Manufacturers are using Students must make a very detailed plan CHAD ESTLE, TRAVEL CENTERS OF AMERICA lighter materials in their vehicles, and for their day of competition and then must to help the competitors be ready for the follow that plan to be successful. They WEB DESIGN transition into the workforce, we will must demonstrate mastery of fundamen- We focus on current industry best prac- be demonstrating aluminum repair in tal skills and knowledge. Organization, tices and confirm that winning students the metal repair segment in 2018. following a plan and execution of funda- understand what is happening in this ever- mentals are key to success. changing industry. TERESA BOLTON, NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE EXCELLENCE (ASE) GREG BEACHEY, GOSHEN (IND.) COMMUNITY SCHOOLS MARK DUBOIS, WEB PROFESSIONALS

AGRICULTURE, FOOD Heating, Ventilation, ARTS, A/V TECHNOLOGY Extemporaneous Pin Design AND NATURAL Air Conditioning AND COMMUNICATIONS Speaking Prepared Speech RESOURCES and Refrigeration 3-D Visualization and Graphic Screen Printing Career Pathways (HVACR) Animation Communications Technology Showcase Masonry Action Skills Graphics Imaging — T-Shirt Design (Natural Resources Plumbing Advertising Design Sublimation Telecommunications and Agriculture) Sheet Metal Audio/Radio Interactive Application Cabling TeamWorks Production and Video Gaming Television (Video) National ARCHITECTURE Welding Broadcast News Job Interview Production competitions are AND CONSTRUCTION Welding Fabrication Production Job Skill Web Design Architectural Drafting Welding Sculpture Career Pathways Demonstration A listed by career Building Maintenance Showcase (Arts and Job Skill Wolf cluster here and Cabinetmaking Communications) Demonstration Llo on the following Carpentry Digital Cinema Open pages. Electrical Construction Production Opening and Closing Wiring Employment Ceremonies Photos: yd * New in 2018 Application Process Photography

14 SkillsUSA Champions Winter 2018 JOB SKILL DEMONSTRATION A tay confident. Don’t let “Speople or distractions shake you. You just want to stay focused on your task,” says Sarah Irving, a cosmetol- AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE TECHNOLOGY Our competition helps students prepare ogy student. “You can look at for entry-level technician positions, ready the judges, but pretty much to hit the ground running, so to speak, rather than begin at a lot (moving cars/ you want to stay wrapped washing cars) or only oil change positions. up in your own head.” As a JILL SAUNDERS, TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA two-term officer for SkillsUSA MEDICAL ASSISTING By asking competitors to use a hands-on New Hampshire, the Salisbury approach at skill stations as they would native had “really bad anxiety” in an office. Competitors are encouraged to engage the patient as if at an office. about public speaking at first Scenarios are built around office-based areas in administrative, clinical and lab. but wound up teaching at her DIANA KENDRICK, SOUTHERN CRESCENT TECHNICAL COLLEGE state fall leadership conference.

AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY This fall, By using Federal Aviation Administration she entered standards for each contest task. The align- ment of the contest ensures readiness to the nursing pass the FAA written and practical exams program at to be certified to work in the industry. WAYNE KING, KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Plymouth State Uni- ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION WIRING The students will be presented with the versity. antore-Watson • C contest project in the same manner as Janet they would be handed their scope of

work for a project. The contest project is (inset)

; based on a portion of an actual project Wolf my company is currently working on. yd Llo

This not only benefits the students but (main) the instructors as well.

GREGORY V. RACHAL, POPS ELECTRIC LLC • Photos:

BUSINESS, GOVERNMENT AND Medical Math HUMAN SERVICES Information MANAGEMENT PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION Medical Terminology Barbering (demo)* Technology Services AND ADMINISTRATION American Spirit Nurse Assisting Career Pathways Internetworking Career Pathways Quiz Bowl Practical Nursing Showcase (Human Technical Computer Showcase (Business Services) Applications Management HEALTH SCIENCE HOSPITALITY Community Action Technology) Basic Health Care Skills AND TOURISM Project LAW, PUBLIC SAFETY, Chapter Business Career Pathways Commercial Baking Community Service CORRECTIONS Procedure Showcase (Health Culinary Arts Cosmetology AND SECURITY Chapter Display Sciences) Restaurant Service Esthetics Crime Scene Outstanding Chapter Dental Assisting Nail Care Investigation First Aid/CPR Criminal Justice EDUCATION Health Knowledge INFORMATION Firefighting AND TRAINING Bowl TECHNOLOGY Occupational Health Early Childhood Health Occupations Computer and Safety Education Professional Portfolio Programming Medical Assisting Cybersecurity (technology demo)*

Winter 2018 SkillsUSA Champions 15 FIRST AID/CPR “It says in all our books, How do competitions ‘Continue until you are unable help prepare a to continue student with the from fatigue.’ personal and So, you workplace skills continue to succeed through everything — AMERICAN SPIRIT By asking contestants to list which and you save component of the SkillsUSA Frame- the patient if work is being used in each section of Wolf the competition. This will help them you can.” Llo for the contest as well as the job world. MARY ANDERSON, DEMING (N.M.) PUBLIC SCHOOLS Photos: yd

CAREER PATHWAYS SHOWCASE With presentation skills and involve- Stamina is critical in real time ment with community and industry. PAUL LIGHT, RETIRED, MISSOURI and contest life-saving scenarios

JOB INTERVIEW isiting family members at a hospital contest situations as if they were real. Both By encouraging personal communica- helped Denton Douglas decide years, responders/competitors were urged tion skills and salesmanship abilities, Vnursing would be his career path. When to do their jobs and save a life. Since they which are invaluable in the workplace. he saw nurses spend more time engaged know the human body well, there’s no JENNIFER WAITE, SELF EMPLOYED, CALIFORNIA with patients than doctors, it intensified “a need to “freak out,” he says. caring nature inside of me,” he says. “I was Be prepared to go the distance, too. OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONIES like, ‘I want to do that.’ ” “Last year, we did all three of our CPR Teamwork is essential to workplace Douglas watched his grandfather and scenarios back-to-back-to-back,” he skills. On this seven-person team, later an aunt succumb to cancer in the adds. That’s almost 20 minutes straight, students develop these skills. hospital. Now, at Pittsburg (Kan.) State “so you are just drained after that.” But LISA ROMEISER, EASTERN MONROE CAREER CENTER, N.Y. University, he’s majoring in nursing with a before they can rest, competitors need to focus on oncology. complete two first-aid scenarios. EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION PROCESS The graduate of Bluestem High School “I was just like, ‘If this were a real With interviewing skills and building in Leon, Kan., served SkillsUSA Kansas person, it wouldn’t matter if you’re that confidence and self-esteem. With the both as vice president and historian. After tired.’ So, you continue through every- portfolio, it can provide proof of skills. competing twice at nationals in First Aid/ thing, and you save the patient if you can.” DIANE SWENSON, MILLIPORESIGMA • CPR, Douglas emphasizes treating the — by Ann P. Schreiber •

MANUFACTURING Mechatronics MARKETING, SALES Engineering Team Aviation Maintenance Additive Mobile Robotics AND SERVICE Challenge (Middle Technology Manufacturing Technology Customer Service School) Collision Repair Automated Residential Systems Entrepreneurship Mobile Electronics Technology Manufacturing Installation and Promotional Bulletin Installation Computerized Technology Maintenance Board Principles of Estimation (demo)* CNC Milling Robotics and Technology Diesel Equipment Technology Automation SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, Related Technical Technology National CNC Technician Technology ENGINEERING Math Marine Service competitions are CNC Turning Robotics: Urban Search AND MATHEMATICS Technology Technology and Rescue Career Pathways TRANSPORTATION Motorcycle Service listed by career Humanoid Robotics Technical Drafting Showcase: (Industrial DISTRIBUTION Technology cluster here and (demo) Engineering AND LOGISTICS MLR (Maintenance on the previous Industrial Motor Technology) Automotive Light Repair) (technology demo)* pages. Control Electronics Technology Refinishing Major Appliance Engineering Technology Power Equipment * New in 2018 and Refrigeration Technology/Design Automotive Service Technology • Technology Technology Photo: Janet Cantore-Watson

16 SkillsUSA Champions Winter 2018 AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE TECHNOLOGY antore-Watson

“Stay focused, go slow, C Her motor runs Janet watch what you’re doing,

on inspiration (inset)

and make sure you follow ; Wolf

yd

and motivation Llo every step that they’re

lix Rivard found her way under the (main)

hood of the car through the lens of a looking for.” Acamera. She studied photography in Photos: high school, and her subject matter was mostly cars. “I’m from the Motor City, so we’ve got a lot of car shows going on,” Rivard says. Photography led to her working in an automotive service shop. Her next stop was Macomb Community College in Warren, Mich., where she says she fell in love with the engine-building industry. SkillsUSA advisor Dave Roland intro- working really fast, and just trying to get “I started taking all the classes, and it duced Rivard to the Automotive Service it done. You mess yourself up that way.” was kind of like it clicked,” she says. “I Technology contest. Having competed at After she gets degrees in automotive found my niche. I found where I want to nationals, her advice is to “stay focused, go technology and then machining, Rivard be and what I want to do.” slow, watch what you’re doing, and make plans to work toward another one in However, building any old engine all sure you follow every step that they’re welding. She explains, “Welding is a big day, every day, isn’t what she has in mind. looking for. That’s the biggest thing, part of our industry. If you can weld and After she finishes her associate degree because you’re your own worst enemy fabricate in this industry, you can write in automotive technology at Macomb, out there whenSBA Ad you’reWinter getting2018 quarter nervous, page copy.pdfyour 1 own 11/28/17 ticket.” 1:52— APS PM • Rivard plans to attend Houston’s School of Automotive Machinists & Technol- ogy (Sam Tech), which offers training for careers in high-performance racing. “I bought a house about three years ago, so I’m working on getting everything fixed up and ready to sell,” she says. “Me and the dog are going to pick up and move to Houston and try our luck in the racing industry. I would love to do some- thing like NASCAR, stock cars, maybe IndyCars.”

Adding fuel to the fire Rivard emphasizes that she wants to work on engines, not drive race cars. She’s faced challenges in the male-dominated industry and nearly gave up her dreams of engine building. Self-motivation — plus inspiration from her grandmother, a former federal agent — helps her stay focused on this career. “I’ve had so many people tell me that I Skilled trades are No. 1 among the top 10 hardest jobs to fill. can’t do it, and that adds fuel to the fire. It burns that much more and makes me SkillsUSA is a vital solution to America’s skills gap. Annually, SkillsUSA empowers want to do it that much harder,” she says. more than 300,000 career and technical education students to achieve career success. Fortunately, her instructors at Macomb Your support enables SkillsUSA to provide students with the personal, have her back. “It’s been so good to have workplace and technical skills that prepare them to be Champions at Work. those positive influences behind me against so many negative influences I fight Donate at: www.SkillsUSA.org on a regular basis.”

Winter 2018 SkillsUSA Champions 17 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES ust keep going. “Study the blog,” adds “J Even if you don’t Woodland resident get a medal, you’re Fidel Castro (no rela- really getting very valu- tion to the one from able information about Cuba), referring to tips the industry, what the contest organizers people do at a normal publish in advance. day job and stuff you “I took away a lot more can take to job inter- from the competition views and through the than I did last year. rest of your career,” says You’re always going to college/postsecond- take something away, ary competitor Robert whether it’s a medal or Horner of Los Angeles. lesson or both.” For him, He and his high school it’s both; soon after say- counterpart from Cali- ing this, Castro (right) fornia went to nationals was awarded a national in back-to-back years. medal. •

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

SkillsUSA’s National Leadership Center is located in Leesburg, Va., approximately 50 miles northwest of our nation’s capital,Washington, D.C. The building welcomes influential visitors such as industry executives, manufacturers and VIPs from education and government.

For more information, please contact Helena Carafa at 703-737-0637 or [email protected]

18 SkillsUSA Champions Winter 2018 goldstandard

By Sparking Connections, He Helps Fuel an Industry For Tom Billigen, reaching the status of master technician at age 18 allowed him to become a trainer to other technicians. Working with SkillsUSA helps him fill his talent pipeline.

s a young technician, Tom Billigen SkillsUSA Championships. As chairman was filmed for a recruitment video of the contest technical committee, he Aabout the power equipment industry. is both a strategist and a problem solver. Working on an engine, he looked into the Committee members plan in February camera and said, “Some of my friends have for the June event, developing the testing jobs, but this is a career.” He was right — curriculum for 10 work stations. “We had and it’s been a very good career so far. 53 competitors last year, and they rotated “I’m only 36, but I’ve got almost 21 stations every half hour,” he says. years’ experience in this industry already,” For Billigen, involved since 2004, he adds. As training manager at Briggs the competition is a family affair. His antore-Watson C & Stratton Corp. in Milwaukee, Billigen wife, Megan (pictured with him), attends Janet

understands both the education side and to handle contest logistics, scoring urchase your own custom-engraved paver for the corporate perspective on needing to and paperwork. “I fell in love with the the walkway of SkillsUSA’s National Leadership Photo: fill the technician pipeline. SkillsUSA program and what it does for Center and learn more about this campaign at: “We have a lot of turnover on techni- students,” she says. Married eight years, cians,” he says. “They’re getting up in the couple has two young daughters. www.skillsusa.org/store/pavers age where they’re retiring. So, there is a Tom Billigen says the best techni- huge void in technicians to work on the cians have good math skills, can read and SkillsUSA’s National Leadership Center is located in Leesburg, products we have and continued effort to understand technical manuals and know Va., approximately 50 miles northwest of our nation’s get young people to consider this career.” computers. His advice is simple: “Gain as On the corporate side, Billigen focuses much knowledge as you can, wherever you capital,Washington, D.C. The building welcomes on dealer technicians, providing hands-on can. Working with a local dealership is influential visitors such as industry executives, and online training for the nearly 15,000 your best opportunity.” manufacturers and VIPs from education and government. Briggs & Stratton locations worldwide. He keeps SkillsUSA in front of dealers On the education side, he also oversees at events, opening lines of communication By Karen N. Kitzel training for technical educators. between the top three contestants’ schools “We offer up to six classes throughout and nearby Briggs & Stratton locations. For more information, please contact Helena Carafa at 703-737-0637 or the summer for new instructors, giving “SkillsUSA is our best avenue for [email protected] them a crash course in everything they helping dealers recognize that there are need to know about small engines and skilled workers right in their backyard,” how to teach it,” he explains. Billigen says. “We see the top students Billigen meets the nation’s top Power every year and try to consider where we Equipment Technology students at the can fit them into our organization.” •

Winter 2018 SkillsUSA Champions 19 toolbox

Define These CrucialSkills For Your Personal Success

he SkillsUSA Framework is made up of personal skills, workplace skills and Ttechnical skills grounded in academics. Each of those areas encompasses a list of specific examples. For instance, personal skills include integrity, work ethic, profes- sionalism, responsibility, adaptability/ flexibility and self-motivation. Let’s take a closer look at some of those personal skills. As a class, split into three groups; one should discuss integrity, the other profes- sionalism and the other responsibility. First, define each word through examples. For instance, if someone is known for having integrity, what kind of person Wolf would he or she be? What other traits Llo would that person possess? Once each group has defined its word this way, come Photo: yd together as a class and discuss. The new SkillsUSA Career Essentials program is designed to help you develop What lies behind us and what lies before the skills you’ve just defined and many others vital to career and life success. For us are tiny matters compared to what more on the program and to try a free lies within us. demo, visit: www.skillsusa.org/programs/ career-essentials. • — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Find the photo, win a prize 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 Jan. 15. Congratulations to last issue’s winners: Kiyoshi Woods of West Deptford, N.J., and Todd Engel of Dayton, Ohio. •

20 SkillsUSA Champions Winter 2018 spotlight

WITH SKILLS, Holiday joy on two wheels

THEY ANSWER or more than 16 years, School.

students at Seminole permission.

High A CALL TO ACTION F with

(Texas) High School have been exas) (T

hen Salina, Kan., resident bringing joy to families during Used William Cookson was deployed the holidays. They’ve held Seminole

Wwith his Army National Guard unit to district-wide drives for food, e, Spenc , he’d just started painting his household items and clothing. Tom house. Word got to the diesel technol- In addition, they purchase new

ogy program at Salina Area Techni- bicycles for youngsters with Photo: cal College via the Military Affairs funds raised at the school’s Council at the Salina Area Chamber Mistletoe Market. And, they’ve of Commerce. It didn’t take long for refurbished bicycles donated 40 diesel students to finish the job. by the community. They Salina businesses provided the paint and presented their work at the equipment. See a clip broadcast by ABC SkillsUSA Community Service affiliate KAKE TV in Wichita:http:// competition in Louisville, Ky., bit.ly/2z6Vlp4 • earning a national silver medal. See their presentation here: Jaqueline Chavarria, Seminole (Texas) High

ollege http://bit.ly/2xJY0lk

C chapter president, presents a new bike.

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lina Good sports in a field of their own Sa and, Str Freshman welding students Mi

Carson Craig and Pierce Kurasz Photo: SkillsUSAke Minnesota students spread

nourishment for the less fortunate. earned silver in SkillsUSA’s e. Or

Community Action Project lwaukie, Mi Spooky fundraiser supports vets contest in June. These members Helping students with funds to participate enter, C

in SkillsUSA events at Herkimer (N.Y.)- at Sabin-Shellenberg Center in Fulton-Hamilton-Ostego BOCES permission. includes the “Spooktacular” Bazaar. Milwaukie, Ore., presented the Sa

with This year’s event included crafts, a bake final outcomes of five projects sale, prize drawings, face painting and Photo: Used bin-Shellenberg trick-or-treating. Food trucks were on completed with funds from a hand, and the owners agreed to donate a portion of their proceeds to the SkillsUSA SkillsUSA Lowe’s community service grant. Students from three local high chapter. In addition, attendees were asked to consider a donation of a nonperishable schools repaired the baseball bleachers at Riverside Park. They also fixed food, household or hygiene item to benefit the roofs of the dugouts and batting cages at Alder Creek Middle School, Feed Our Vets. Learn more here: www. feedourvets.org. • where they also replaced the mats and painted the wrestling room. •

Winter 2018 SkillsUSA Champions 21 image

killsUSA 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 Sheader) or write SkillsUSA Champions, 14001 SkillsUSA Way, Leesburg, VA 20176. The photographer’s chapter is awarded $150. • os-Clark Yanac

L

At the national competition

this past year, I had a mason Photo: ori contractor fly in to observe. He told me he would hire any and all of the Masonry contestants. This competition highlights the opportunity students have. Ryan Shaver, Johnson Concrete Products

I had the good fortune to win the national contest, and I ultimately served as a national officer. What I got out of all of that, and I’m so grateful for it, was a foundation from SkillsUSA. It was also that my active involvement

in SkillsUSA connected Hospitality program students me with my current Crystal Gomez and Marqel Gillespie teach a cooking class employer, Toyota. for preschoolers at Choffin Career and Technical Center Tom Trisdale of Torrance, Calif., in Youngstown, Ohio. Their is national manager for quality SkillsUSA advisor is Lori compliance, Toyota Motor Sales Yanacos-Clark.

22 SkillsUSA Champions Winter 2018 Sell For 45% $1 Proot

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