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SkillsUSA

championsWINTER 2012

insider’s guide what you need to compete premiering our new PSA Washington leadership training winning medals while landing a top-flight job

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SkillsUSA champions SkillsUSA’s Official Magazine bOarD Of DirectOrS SkillsUSA champions online 14001 SkillsUSA Way, Leesburg, VA 20176-5494 Russ Hoffbauer (State Farm Insurance Companies) (Tennessee) 703-777-8810 • www.skillsusa.org James King Visit the SkillsUSA Champions “e-zine” version (Snap-on Inc.) Greg Rintala at www.skillsusa.org/champions/ to flip through (Minnesota) Magazine Staff/Office Of PublicatiOnS Marlys Bucher articles, view videos and extra photos and get Director (Wisconsin) Tom Hall, Brent Kindred updates. You’ll find archives of past issues, adver- Associate Director, Communications (Utah) Ann Schreiber, Dave Milliken tiser links, lesson plans for new issues, and more. Craig Moore, Manager, Web/Technology Gerald Tylka (Pennsylvania) Manager, Audiovisual Technology/ (SkillsUSA State Directors Association) Tom Kercheval, Mike Cowles See even more champions on our frequently Communications (Association for Career and Technical Jeff Johnson updated website, www.skillsusa.org, as well as: Education) Office Of the executive DirectOr Kathryn Jo Mannes (American Association of Tim Lawrence, Executive Director Community Colleges) Sandra Moore, Administrative Assistant Mark Williams (National Association of State Direc- tors of Career and Technical Education Consortium) (Caterpillar University) aDMiniStratiOn anD finance Chris Arvin Volume 46, No. 2 Kim Graham, Director Nick Mastrone (Irwin Industrial Tools) SkillsUSA Champions (ISSN 1040-4538) is published four Keith Ashby, Manager, Literature Services/National Joe Pietrantonio (Air Products) times per school year — Fall (October/November), Winter Center Robert Wagner (Lowe’s Companies Inc.) (December/January), Spring (February/March) and Summer Melissa Wilson, Manager, Human Resources (April/ May) — by SkillsUSA Inc. at 14001 SkillsUSA Way, Roxanne Hodge, Customer Service Representative natiOnal StuDent OfficerS/aDviSOrS Leesburg, VA 20176. Periodicals postage paid at Leesburg, VA, and at additional mailing offices. Copyright 2012 by SkillsUSA. HigH ScHool All rights reserved. Nonmember subscriptions: $15 per year uSineSS anD nDuStry artnerShiPS (Massachusetts) b i P Victoria Holbert/Anne Marie Cataldo (SkillsUSA members, $1.30 paid with dues or affiliation fees). Eric Gearhart, Director, Development and Research Karmen Ayres/Chuck Veloni (Washington) Chris Powell, Senior Development Officer C.J. DeHart/Vicky Tarver (Texas) POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to SkillsUSA Champions, Dave Worden, Program Director, SkillsUSA Emad Madha/Robyn Szymanski (New Jersey) Attn.: Judy Garrison, 14001 SkillsUSA Way, Leesburg, VA 20176. Championships Caleb Houston/Carrie Frandoni (Ohio) Jim Kregiel, Program Manager, SkillsUSA Elena Melekos/Ralph Starace (New Jersey) The names SkillsUSA, SkillsUSA Championships and SkillsUSA Championships Diego Carvallo/Thomas Washburn (Georgia) Champions; the SkillsUSA: Champions at Work slogan; and the Karen Beatty, Program Manager Kathryn Berry/Rick Roberts (Ohio) SkillsUSA logo, emblem and slogan art are all registered trade- marks of SkillsUSA Inc. All rights are reserved, and permission Marco Cavazos/Rolando Izeta (Texas) (Idaho) must be granted by the national headquarters of SkillsUSA cOMMunicatiOnS anD gOvernMent relatiOnS Christi Durham/Cheryl Deitchler prior to any use. Tom Holdsworth, Associate Executive Director Jane Short, Program Manager college/PoStSecondary In keeping with a tradition of respect for the individuality Chance Litwin/Lisa Bruce (Alabama) of our members and our role in workforce development, eDucatiOn, training anD aSSeSSMentS Jeremy Ballentine/Michael Chandlee (Tennessee) SkillsUSA strives to Marsha Daves, Director Veronica Senkowski/Darin Lackey (Oklahoma) ensure inclusive partic- Heidi Ambrose, Program Director, Programs and Stephen Allen/Kim Meeks (Georgia) ipation in all of our programs, partnerships and Grant Management Wade Persson/Merrill Larson (South Dakota) Associate Director, Conference employment opportu- Shelly Coates, nities. Management Services Deborah Kenn Tripp, Associate Director, Training Niki Clausen, Coordinator, Alumni Development Stephanie Bland, Program Specialist Ashley Ridgeway, Program Specialist, Conference U.S. Postal Service Statement of ownership, management and circulation (Required by 39 USc 3685) Management Services Publication Title: SkillsUSA Champions. Publication No.: 1040-4538. age, 243,114; issue, 291,046; Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions Filing Date: 9/23/11. Issue Frequency: Fall (October/November), Win- Stated on PS Form 3541: average, none; issue, none; Paid Distribu- Marketing, MeMberShiP anD SaleS ter (December/January), Spring (February/March), Summer (April/ tion Outside the Mail Including Sales Through Dealers and Carri- Kelly Horton, Director May). No. of Issues Published Annually: four. Annual Subscription ers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales and Other Paid Distribution Out- Judy Garrison, Senior Manager, Membership Services Price: $1.30 for SkillsUSA members as part of dues; $15 per year for side USPS: average, none; issue, none; Paid Distribution by Other Susan Trent, Program Manager, Member Services nonmembers. Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: Classes of Mail Through the USPS (e.g. First-Class Mail): average, Patty Duncan, Program Specialist, Work Force Ready 14001 SkillsUSA Way, Leesburg, VA 20176-5494 (Loudoun County). none; issue, none. Total Paid Distribution: average, 243,114; issue, System and Member Services Contact Person: E. Thomas Hall, 703-777-8810, Ext. 626. Mailing 291,046. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution — Free or Nominal Rate Address of Headquarters: same. Publisher: SkillsUSA Inc., same Outside-County Copies Included on PS Form 3541: average, 2,491; address. Editor: E. Thomas Hall, same address. Owner: SkillsUSA Inc., issue, 2,872; Free or Nominal Rate In-County Copies Included on PS kanSaS city Office • 816-691-3827 14001 SkillsUSA Way, Leesburg, VA 20176. Known Bondholders, Form 3541: average, none; issue, none; Free or Nominal Rate Copies Byekwaso Gilbert, SkillsUSA Program Manager Mortgagees and Other Security Holders: none. The purpose, func- Mailed at Other Classes Through the USPS (e.g. First-Class Mail): tion and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt average, none; issue, none. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution Out- aDvertiSing rePreSentativeS fOr SkillSuSa chaMPiOnS status for federal income tax purposes has not changed during side the Mail: average, none; issue, none. Total Free or Nominal Constellation Enterprises Inc. the preceding 12 months. Issue Date for Circulation Data: Fall 2011. Rate Distribution: average, 2,491; issue, 2,872. Total Distribution: 53 Main St./P.O. Box 508 Extent and Nature of Circulation: Average No. Copies Each Issue average, 245,605; issue, 293,918. Copies Not Distributed: average, Single Issue Cherry Valley, NY 13320 During Preceding 12 Months, 247,250; No. Copies of Pub- 1,645; issue, 2,082. Total: average, 247,250; issue, 296,000. Percent lished Nearest to Filing Date, 296,000. Paid Circulation — Mailed Paid: average, 99%; issue, 99%. I certify that all information fur- 607-264-9069 Outside-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: aver- nished on this form is true and complete. E. Thomas Hall, Editor.

4 SkillsUSA Champions Winter 2012 asktim

A Global Gold Standard Executive Director Tim Lawrence has known SkillsUSA as a student member, instructor, industry partner and state director. Got a question? He can help. & How can I make sureQ my skills industry partnersA who design and manage Q: compare to the best in the world? each event — as well as Tyler Brown, a Tim: Just a few weeks ago, 17 SkillsUSA competitor with multiple medals. It’s also students were competing on the world very important to study the SkillsUSA stage. Accompanied by four of our Championships Technical Standards. If you national officers, they were in London can demonstrate the skills within the stan- for the intense, four-day WorldSkills dards, you can be successful. Finally, this Competition. SkillsUSA’s WorldTeam simple advice still works for most winners: represented their country extremely well, practice, practice, practice. earning four international honors. I’m Over the first six months of 2012, thou- proud of the entire team’s passion, profes- sands of gold, silver and bronze medals sionalism and strong competitive spirit. will be presented to SkillsUSA champions As I heard from many of its members, in every state and in three U.S. territories. “You never know how far SkillsUSA and Our medals are unique, but have you ever our competitions can take you.” looked closely at one of them? It may be If you want to be ready for such an bright and shiny now, but each medal experience, it all starts now. Your local, starts out as a lump of plain metal that district and regional SkillsUSA competi- must be individually shaped and polished. tions are kicking into high gear. Decide to Work hard to hone your technical and be the best you can be every day, and work leadership skills. Allow yourself to be relentlessly for the gold standard. shaped by your learning, your experiences By following these goals, you may be the and your personal goals. next state champion this spring in your More importantly, keep working to technical area or in a leadership event. You meet the gold-medal standard you set for may be among nearly 6,000 competitors yourself. If you’re sure you have done your converging on the SkillsUSA Champion- very best, whether or not you receive a ships in June. You may even be one of the gold medal, I know you will have a golden students going to Germany in July 2013 experience. • for the next WorldSkills Competition. To be sure you are ready, take the advice Got questions about SkillsUSA or other topics? of those who’ve experienced the heat of a Email [email protected] or send a letter to contest. This issue has insider tips from the address on the facing page. Put “Ask Tim” dozens of technical committees — our in the subject line or mail address.

Winter 2012 SkillsUSA Champions 5 what’snew

Passionate Leaders The Sky’s Not the Limit

he final flight of the space shuttle Atlantis marked a first T for SkillsUSA students: space travel. OK, so the students themselves Inspire D.C. weren’t on board, but their ideas were. SkillsUSA members from Monta- chusett Regional Vocational Technical School in Fitchburg, Mass., formed Capitol Gains one of 11 teams nationwide selected to rom 25 states and Puerto Rico, they know how important career and technical participate in the Student Spaceflight came to Washington with one main education has been to their lives and how Experiments Program. Victoria Holbert Fgoal: to take the SkillsUSA message to supporting CTE is vital if future genera- (SkillsUSA’s high school president), the corridors of power in the world’s most tions are to experience the same benefits. Miguel Velez III, Kayla Nolette and powerful city. Throughout the amazing week, students Leighton Noel comprised a team that The 269 students and chapter advisors also took part in intensive leadership designed an experiment to study tooth who attended SkillsUSA’s Washington training, interacted with SkillsUSA’s decay in microgravity, an experiment Leadership Training Institute in Septem- board of directors, visited D.C. landmarks carried out on Atlantis. To learn more, ber accomplished that goal and more. and — oh, yeah — had a ton of fun. For visit: ssep.ncesse.org. • During visits to 103 decision-makers more info and a plethora of photos, visit: on Capitol Hill, students let legislators www.skillsusa.org/events/wlti.shtml. •

SkillsUSA members celebrate their arrival at the U.S. Capitol, one of many emotional moments during the annual Washington Leadership Training Institute. Wolf Lloyd Photo:

6 SkillsUSA Champions Winter 2012 what’snew

CHAMPION’S TOP SUPPoRT hoNoREd Providing Relief for the Long Haul ou know what they say about When disaster strikes, Americans are generous, sequels: “They’re never as good as ythe original.” Well, SkillsUSA’s second but as time passes, people forget. Not SkillsUSA. Champion of the Year award dinner When a tornado devastated the city of Joplin, joins the ranks of “The Godfather Part II” as an exception to that rule. Mo., in May, the city’s Franklin Technology Center This year’s recipient is Jim Lentz, was nearly destroyed. Still very much in “rebuild” president and chief operating officer of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. mode, the school recently received a welcome During the celebratory dinner at donation from SkillsUSA’s warehouse in Kansas New York’s historic Waldorf-Astoria hotel, Lentz and Toyota — a valued City, Mo., as volunteer teamsters unloaded a SkillsUSA partner for more than 25 semi-truck teeming with equipment, tools and years — were publicly honored for their support in front of nearly 300 other materials for the school’s ongoing use in a industry partners and other guests. variety of programs. “We vow to give back when “I love playing golf,” Lentz said just after donning an honorary SkillsUSA given the opportunity to repay the kindness,” blazer. “I’ve always dreamed of said David Rockers, the school’s director. • winning the Master’s and getting that green jacket. But this red one is much better, and it’s much more important. “My hope for all SkillsUSA students,” Lentz continued, “is that you find that higher purpose in your ome messages bear repeating, so work, and that all of you in this room Going all-in here’s a reminder to participate with tonight be proud of the fact that SSkillsUSA in the “26 Seconds” campaign. you’re part of a great organization that to stop the But maybe you’re just not interested in improves lives and is indeed creating a winning prizes and grants while helping better world.” dropout crisis to stem America’s dropout crisis. Visit: www.skillsusa.org/supporters/ Still here? Good, because every 26 champion.shtml for photos and video. • seconds, a young person drops out of high school, and that’s a stat you can help change. Visit the BMOR Project at: Moore www.facebook.com/26seconds and pledge to

E. Craig graduate. When you do, select SkillsUSA

Photo: as your affiliation. The organization with the highest pledges per month gets a grant. Participating each month makes you eligible for monthly prizes and, as a grand prize, an end-of-year celebration for National officers victoria holbert and your school and community. For all the Emad madha thank Lentz (center). details, visit: www.26seconds.com. •

Winter 2012 SkillsUSA Champions 7 what’snew

WoRLdTEAm ShINES BRIGhT AcRoSS ThE PoNd

killsUSA recently took its largest WorldTeam in history to London to Scompete in the 41st WorldSkills Compe- tition. The 17-member squad did itself, SkillsUSA and the United States proud. The event featured more than 1,000 competitors in 46 different contests and representing 53 countries. Competition was fierce, but U.S. team member Bradley Clink took the silver medal in Welding while Laina Call, Daniel Lehmkuhl and Rachel Koppelman earned Medallions of Excellence in, respectively, Hairdressing, Automobile Technology and Cooking. (Medallions of Excellence are awarded for scores of at least 500 points out of a possible 600.) Even before the event, the WorldTeam made its presence known in Washington, with a series of visits to congressional representatives on Capitol Hill and offi- cials at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and U.S. depart- ments of Labor and Education. The team also garnered unprecedented national coverage with a major article in Parade magazine, which has the largest circulation in the nation with nearly 70 million readers. (Catch up online at: www. tinyurl.com/6nueypt.) While the 2011 SkillsUSA WorldTeam was certainly hoping to return with 17 gold medals, members realize that success can be measured in many different ways. The exposure they helped bring to career and technical education in our country has been invaluable and will no doubt benefit future WorldTeams. “I’m extremely proud of every student on the SkillsUSA WorldTeam,” said SkillsUSA’s executive director, Tim

Lawrence. For photos, videos and more Yin Au details, visit: www.skillsusa.org/compete/ Ho

worldteamphotos.shtml. • Photos:

8 SkillsUSA Champions Winter 2012 2011 SkillsUSA WorldTeam RAychEL BLANd (Ala.), Beauty Therapy; vIcToRIA BRoWN (Nev.), Graphic Design; LAINA cALL (Utah), Hairdressing; BRAdLEy cLINK (Mich.), Welding; mAxWELL hERShEy (Mich.), CNC Turning; JohN hUhN (Del.), Refrigeration; JoSEPh KING (Ala.), CNC Milling; RAchEL KoPPELmAN (Mo.), Cooking; dANIEL LEhmKUhL (Calif.), Automobile Technology; cAmERoN ‘A oNcE-IN-A-LIFETImE chANcE’ mccREERy (Colo.), Autobody Repair; BRETT

oTTINGER (Pa.), Cabinetmaking; BRETT Carey;

PATTERSoN (Tenn.), Web Design; BEN National officers Peter PhILLIPS (Va.), Printing; mELISSA RUBINcAN (above)

(Del.), Restaurant Service; RyAN SPINdEN share experience Tim Lawrence (left) (Del.), Plumbing; mATThEW vIcARI (Fla.), Photos: IT/PC Networking; BRAdLEy WRIGhT (Ala.), with the world Bricklaying he 2011 SkillsUSA WorldTeam was students and how implementing similar joined in London by four of the programs in their own countries would be organization’sT national officers: Victoria great for their students as well. Holbert (who serves as high school It was an amazing experience to behold, president), Emad Madha (high school with people from all over the world Bland Brown Call treasurer), Elena Melekos (Region 1 vice coming together in one place, exchang- president) and Chance Litwin (college/ ing ideas and business cards, competing postsecondary president). against each other and yet making friends In their own words, Madha and Melekos the whole way through. The WorldSkills (pictured at the top of the next column, far Competition was truly an international Clink Hershey Huhn left and far right, respectively) offer some experience. thoughts on their experiences in London and how their English adventure has Elena Melekos: The 2011 WorldSkills in helped shape their worldview. London was incredible, inspirational and a once-in-a-lifetime chance. The feeling of King Koppelman Lehmkuhl Emad Madha: As the national high pride in my country and in each hero that school treasurer of SkillsUSA, I was attended was unexplainable. Seeing flags invited, along with Elena Melekos, to from different countries wave proudly speak at the WorldSkills Leader’s Forum and hearing cheers that could awaken the during the WorldSkills Competition in world was a feeling I will never forget. McCreery Ottinger Patterson London. Attending WorldSkills was the oppor- It was truly an honor to represent tunity for me to truly realize that dreams SkillsUSA and the youth of America. really do come true when you believe in At the forum, Elena and I spoke on the yourself and always work your hardest. In importance of youth leadership and the my eyes, each competitor was a hero who Phillips Rubincan Spinden future of social media. helped inspire his or her own country and Our message had a positive impact on all SkillsUSA members to follow their Wolf the audience, as it drew on the value of dreams and always do their best. Lloyd preparing students for leadership roles to WorldSkills provided me with the re-

Photos: tackle the challenges of the future. They alization that our world has well-rounded Vicari Wright were able to see how the leadership devel- individuals and leaders that will help each opment of SkillsUSA directly benefits our country grow and become successful. •

Winter 2012 SkillsUSA Champions 9 Ryan Mihelcich, Michigan (Precision Machining Technology)

Jovanie Sanchez, Kansas (Masonry)

Shane Dewyar, Idaho (Collision Repair Technology) Ebonee Mitchison, Texas (Esthetics) CHAMPIONSHIPS AviAtion MAintenAnce technology chAPter Business Procedure Be able to Which skills are the Time management, locating informa- demonstrate and perform parliamentary most important to have tion in reference material, and reading procedure in a practical, logical sequence. for technical content. — Wayne King, This includes creating officer and when competing in the Kentucky Department of Education committee reports, presenting a motion SkillsUSA Championships? and disposing of it properly according to BroAdcAst news Production Since our Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised. — For this annual guide, contest involves all aspects of a project, Mark Johnson, Pittsburg State University we asked the technical the range of essential skills is necessarily broad. Successful students know their gear collision rePAir technology Metal experts in each contest. and can adapt to a variety of production repair, welding, structural analysis, plastic Will you be prepared? genres, write for a specific audience and repair, and job application and interview. deliver a compelling presentation. — Contestants will have three written tests: Compiled by Craig E. Moore Phillip Harris, consultant, Springfield, Va. ASE [Automotive Service Excellence],

10 SkillsUSA Champions Winter 2012 Htet Aung, New Mexico (Culinary Arts)

Kendrick Lewis, Louisiana (Advertising Design)

Joy Hathcock, Missouri (Cabinetmaking)

Gloria Salinas, Welding Fabrication Georgia (Crime silver-medal team Joe Scene Investigation) Lake, Skeeter Judd and Aaron Jammerman, Wyoming

CHAMPIONSHIPSInsider’s Guide 2012 estimating, and identifying suspension criMinAl Justice Politeness, maintaining and steering components and functions. control, safety, interviewing and running WEB RESoURcES Thomas Hall h The important updates every contes-

— Darrell Andrews, State Farm Insurance subjects through dispatch, reporting E. Companies (accuracy and completeness) and hand- tant should read: www.skillsusa.org/ compete/updates.shtml cuffing. Showing personality and making Illustration: coMPuter MAintenAnce technology eye contact. — Heather Massey, Liberty h Download your contest’s rules and (in Wolf; Troubleshooting skills are critical. Know (Mo.) Police Department many cases) last year’s contest project the common causes of problems to narrow when you purchase a Contest Single: Lloyd www.skillsusa.org/store/singles.html down the possibilities efficiently. Develop culinAry Arts Basic knife skills, protein Photos: a 10-item troubleshooting “attack list” of fabrication, basic preparation and cooking h Because there wasn’t enough space items to consider. A problem can be easily techniques, organization and mise en place, for every bit of advice in this edition, resolved if you are able ask your customer construction of a written plan and time an expanded Insider’s Guide is online at: www.skillsusa.org/downloads/PDF/ the right questions. — Christopher Sessa, line, and excellent food safety practices. — insiders12.pdf Cardiovascular Consultants Bruce Mattel, Culinary Institute of America

Winter 2012 SkillsUSA Champions 11 Wolf

Lloyd diesel equiPMent technology Read entrePreneurshiP The ability to Photo: the directions and have a good attitude. sell. Have a vision and concept of your — Timothy Truesdell, Eaton Corp. business. Know your market and your Reading, listening, concentration and product. — Dorothy King, Mayor’s Office of common sense. We are looking to see if Employment Development, Baltimore you know and apply the basic skills that you have learned in your school. — Dave FireFighting Physical fitness is a neces- Andrus, Tognum America Inc. sity in the fire service, but there must be an emphasis on the scholastic material to electricAl construction wiring really succeed. — Michelle Newby, Interna- Following written and verbal instructions; tional Association of Fire Fighters, Local 42 EMT [electrical metallic tubing] conduit bending; knowing the material and tools; First Aid/cPr Performing CPR, two- Lacey Montgomery, blueprint reading; branch wiring circuitry; person CPR and applying first aid to the Missouri and basic math, safety and housekeeping. injured. — Glenn Haagar, Honeywell Inc. — Gregory Rachal, POPS Electric LLC BASIC HEALTH CARE SKILLS: heAting, ventilAtion, Air condition- electronics technology Troubleshoot- ing And reFrigerAtion A thorough Job interview, CPR, first aid, ing. Wayne Hawley, Georgia Department of knowledge of the refrigeration cycle Education and electricity, and a logical, systematic fire safety, infection control approach to completing a task. Too many and standard precautions, eMPloyMent APPlicAtion Process contestants seem to “hopscotch” back and Practice completing applications, printing forth. — Lynn Bosse, Lennox Industries Inc. vital signs, body mechan- legibly with ink. Watch the time. Practice All the skills we test on are equally ics and patient care skills. responding to questions other than those important. In refrigeration or air condi- listed for the contest. — Sherry Anderson, tioning, to ignore one aspect is to have a — Winnie Anderson, Lex La-Ray Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical failed system that is of little use to anyone. Technical Center, Lexington, Mo. School, Fitchburg, Mass. — Bob Mikell, Carrier Corp.

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1105426 industriAl Motor control Interpret- do not know. Read and learn the rules that meters to measure electrical voltage and ing a written description of an electrical apply to your contest: A or Open. — Sam continuity. Troubleshooting complex wiring problem, drawing the appropriate Williams, Lamar Institute of Technology electro-mechanical devices and using ladder logic diagram, and constructing software simulation to design simple an operational electrical control system. MAJor APPliAnce rePAir Customer electro-pneumatic circuits. — Dan Blanck, Bending electrical metallic tubing in service, using proper hand tools and test Festo Corp. accordance with specified dimensions, and equipment, understanding electrical sche- using a volt-ohm meter to troubleshoot matics, and communicating with others. MedicAl Assisting Critical thinking. Be faults in one or more electrical circuits. — — Greg Doster, Whirlpool Corp. able to apply the technique to the given Bob Baird, Independent Electrical Contractors situation. Students also must be able to MArine service technology Follow- articulate the medication or procedure internetworking Pace yourself, and ing detailed instructions, understanding they are doing, listen to the patient and pay attention to detail. The contest is electrical fundamentals and the use of a act accordingly. Proper documentation won by steady performance, not by just digital volt-ohm meter, and being familiar is crucial. — Diana Kendrick, Southern focusing on being the best in one or two with industry standards. — Ed Sherman, Crescent Technical College, Griffin, Ga. areas. Make sure all your equipment (such American Boat and Yacht Council as laptops and cables) works. This includes MedicAl MAth Problem-solving, reason- having administrator access to your MAsonry The ability to listen to and ing and skills to solve math problems in laptop so you can change IP addresses and follow instructions, and attention to detail, the health care industry. — Scott Brown, configurations. —Bob Schoenherr, Cisco are what define a winner. Hold firmly to Wayne County (Ohio) Schools Career Center Networking Academy the training you have received, even under the tenseness inherent in competition. MedicAl terMinology Knowledge of JoB skill deMonstrAtion A And oPen — Bryan Light, Brick Industry Association medical prefixes, suffixes, word roots Students need to make sure they have a Southeast Region and abbreviations used in the health good opening and a good closing. — Eldon care setting. Be able to give the correct Greenhalgh, Utah Valley University MechAtronics Reading and understand- abbreviation for a given medical word, Practice as many times as possible in ing dimensioned drawings and electri- procedure and disease. — Sherree Hughes, front of people you know and those you cal and fluid power schematics. Using College of the Oachitas 40949-5

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3-D VISUALIZATION AND Lloyd Photo: ANIMATION: It’s a combi- nation of creativity and College/postsecondary gold-medal team Charlie and problem solving. — Linda Dennis Unsderfer, Kansas Sellheim, Autodesk Education oPening And closing cereMonies PhotogrAPhy Possessing both technical PluMBing Reading and following direc- Very good pronunciation and enuncia- skill and the ability to think conceptually tions and isometric drawings. Working tion of words. Also, not just repeating the produces inspiring images. Ultimately, with cast iron, copper and PVC piping words, but putting feeling behind them. students who methodically rely on their using a variety of joining methods. — Lisa Romeiser, Eastern Monroe Career training and pay attention to detail will Patience, flexibility and doing all of the Center, Fairport, N.Y. win this contest. — Bruce Chenaille, Penn- above in a safe manner. — Merry Beth, sylvania Academy of Recording Arts PHCC Educational Foundation

PrActicAl nursing Critical thinking, communication, documentation, skills performance and safety. — Marilyn Ingold, The CIA Experience Manatee Technical Institute, Bradenton, Fla.

When you walk through the front PrinciPles oF technology Know the doors of the world’s premier culinary college, you’ll feel the history, the physics principle(s) including the math- passion, the excitement, the promise ematical formula for your presentation. of unlimited potential and opportunity. Practice your presentation skills. — Scott There’s not a more dynamic and Watson, Granite School District, Utah immersive place to study food. The 1,300-plus hands-on kitchen teAMworks Have the necessary skills hours, proven programs, expert faculty, for construction, electrical, plumbing or and outstanding facilities are just what masonry, but also a positive attitude and you need to satisfy your passion. The CIA will help prepare you for what sense of a total teamwork. — Jim Bohn, you’ve always wanted—a career and Robert Bosch Tool Corp. life in the amazing world of food. telecoMMunicAtions cABling Follow the directions. Good math skills are key. If you have a web-enabled phone, you can text FOOD IS LIFE to 87794 Skills such as scoring and stripping cable, to view the CIA Food is Life video. crimping connectors, labeling cables in a Standard message rates apply. 110 punchdown exercise and ladder rack Text STOP to quit and HELP for more info. exercise, and good customer service even under pressure. — Teresa Maher, Electronics Technicians Association International

welding Interpreting drawings, welding procedures and welding symbols. — Gene Hornberger, retired welding consultant

welding FABricAtion Tea mwork , t i me management and welding skills. — Jason Schmidt, The Lincoln Electric Co.

welding sculPture This is a leadership contest. Put as much effort into your notebook and presentation as your sculpture. — Karl Watson, Somerset (Ky.) Community College The judging will be weighted on the Bachelor’s & Associate Degrees | Culinary Arts & Baking and Pastry Arts welding processes used. — Chas Yost, APPLY NOW! 1-800-CULINARY | www.ciachef.edu/admissions Miller Electric Training Department Three U.S. Campuses: New York | California | Texas • Approximately 90% of students receive ﬁ nancial aid | Financial aid available for those who qualify goldstandard

With his Sights Set high, Job offers Are Taking off A single visit reignited a student’s love for all things aviation. After winning multiple medals in the SkillsUSA Championships, he’s writing his own flight plan for a career.

yler Brown is interested in all things approached an Aerodyme supervisor, said aviation, especially avionics. “I like he was interested in learning more and Taviation, I like electronics. Why not do asked if there were any openings. They both?” he explains. talked again a week later, and Brown was The SkillsUSA champion in Aviation hired on the spot. He’s now one of two Maintenance Technology already had two aircraft technicians performing major job offers before graduating from Burling- alterations and updates to aircraft. ton (Vt.) Technical Center. But this past SkillsUSA advisor Richard Sylvester, summer, he decided to combine his love the school’s aviation director, says Brown of aviation plus electronics and recently frequently helps friends and family with completed an avionics program. an extensive knowledge of computers While going through both the high- and programs. This skill earned the school and postsecondary aviation tech- student a second job at the Vermont Flight nology programs at the center, Brown first Academy, where he’s currently servicing won the state high-school gold medal in computers and taking pilot lessons. Once Aviation Maintenance, then the national Brown earns his airframe and powerplant high-school bronze. The next year, he (A&P) certificate, he’ll be the only aircraft earned college/postsecondary gold medals technician at the academy. at the state and national levels. Besides avionics and computers, Brown “When I was little, my dad was an developed an interest in business, helping Wolf airport fireman, so I used to go to the out at his father’s electrical company. Lloyd airport sometimes to see him, and I was By adding business studies and expe- Photo: always fascinated with the planes up in the rience to his broad love of aviation, he sky,” Brown says. “And then, freshman hopes to one day start his own company. year of high school, the tech center “Starting an aviation company would be By Ann P. Schreiber [representatives] came around, and I heard the best of every world,” he explains. about the aviation program. That sparked Overall, Brown’s thankful for the edge memories of me liking planes, and so I SkillsUSA’s given him in the job market. thought I’d give it a try. I loved it, and I’ve “SkillsUSA is great because ... this really been trying to excel at it ever since.” shows people that I’m not just a typical The center’s aviation program is based employee. I have shown that I excel at at Burlington International Airport, next what I do, and that I can be more valuable to a hangar for Aerodyme Corp. Brown than other people who’ve applied.” •

Winter 2012 SkillsUSA Champions 15 toolbox

When Actions of the Few Fill Needs of the Many

ASCAR reporter and SkillsUSA alumna Wendy Venturini recently Nhelped SkillsUSA produce public service announcements. Help spread the word! As a class, watch and listen to the audio and video versions of the PSAs at: www. skillsusa.org/educators/psa.shtml. Next, split into two groups: “radio” and “television.” Each group should identify three local stations that might consider airing the PSAs. Contact the stations (find their information online) to see what their PSA submission requirements are. (The files on the Web page above can be downloaded and burned to CD or DVD.) Regroup as a

class and share your findings. Also, discuss Wolf

strategies for sharing the PSAs through Lloyd social media like Facebook and Twitter. Photo: Sharing what SkillsUSA means to you with media and peers can go a long way in reaching others and helping the organi- Concealed talent brings zation continue to grow. For more tips, download the Marketing Toolkit at: www. no reputation. skillsusa.org/students/mktgtools.shtml. • — DesiDerius erasmus

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 send us the page number where it appears to win a SkillsUSA sport duffel bag (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. 25. Congratulations to last issue’s winners: Ashley Dixon of Russellville, Ark., and Jessica Fried of Patchogue, N.Y. •

16 SkillsUSA Champions Winter 2012 spotlight

JUST LIKE mAGIc: TURNING ScRAP The strength INTo NEW ToyS to raise funds tudents at Lewiston (Idaho) High he SkillsUSA chapter at school use scrap lumber from Douglas (Wyo.) High constructionS classes to build rocking TSchool was approached by the horses and sets of building blocks. These Converse County Coalition to go to the local Toys for Tots program build a strongman high-striker. sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps. Also known as a strength tester, this carnival-style attraction is often seen Students trim and glue together the at fundraisers. Strongmen and women strike a lever with a large mallet, horse heads, seats and rockers. Broken sending a puck up a tower to ring a bell. broomsticks are used for handles. By not having to rent a high-striker, the coalition, which draws attention As part of the program, they also help to the needs of crime victims, would be able to increase its net fundrais- the Marines pack numerous boxes of ing proceeds. SkillsUSA students built the device and, in the process, holiday presents for local families. • increased community awareness. Once the high-striker was built, their chapter invited the public to take swings for 50 cents a try. •

Freezin’ for a reason To see who could raise more

money for the Special Olympics

of Connecticut, students from

two Middletown schools — Vinal Students at Lewiston (Idaho) high School use scrap wood from construction classes Technical High and Middletown High to build rocking horses for needy children. — challenged their counterparts at a third, Social networking helps troops Thanks to the students at Tennessee H.C. Wilcox High in Meriden. The response was, “Bring it!” With 34 of its Technology Center at Chattanooga, students dressed as bees, Wilcox faced off with the other schools at nearby more than 150 National Guardsmen in the 190th Engineering Company have frozen Crystal Lake, plunging in and raising $2,600. Why bees? Wilcox chose received care packages during deploy- ment to Afghanistan. By sending email the theme “worker bees” for the event and earned the “Rockin’ Schoolhouse messages, hanging posters and creating www.cttech. a Facebook page, students got the word Award” from the Special Olympics program. More photos at: out to the campus and community and org/wilcox/student/SkillsUSA/News/Penguin-Plunge/album/index.html. • collected the donations. •

Winter 2012 SkillsUSA Champions 17 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. •

Better than the one at the mall: Digital design students Kathy Fellman (left) and Kristin Bowman have fun using the Photo Booth program. Their advisor is Michael Sheffield of McGavock High School in Nashville, Tenn. The photogra-

pher is student Maria Ayala. Maria Ayala Photo:

If you know how to use the books, you Toyota supports a wide variety of worthwhile can do anything. organizations and events throughout the Use what’s given to country, but few are as dear to our hearts as you and everything SkillsUSA. is possible. SkillsUSA Champion of the Year Jim Lentz, president and National winner Tyler Brown of Vermont, on using techni- chief operating officer, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. cal manuals in competitions

18 SkillsUSA Champions Winter 2012 Your One Stop Shop for Uniforms, Supplies and More

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