Officers of the Watauga High School chapter of SkillsUSA
won several awards during their stay at Camp Dixie, a leadership
training session sponsored by the North Carolina affiliate of
the vocational club.
The WHS SkillsUSA team received
several awards. Pictured, from left, are Justin Cox, Adam
Bowen, Warren Van Allen, Caroline Catoe (front), Alan
Russell and Jessica Lawrence. Photo
submitted
A national non-profit organization, SkillsUSA strives to help
teachers, high school and college students prepare for careers
in trade, technical and skilled service occupations.
President Caroline Catoe, vice president Justin Cox, secretary
Adam Bowe, treasurer Warren Van Allen, reporter Jessica Lawrence
and parliamentarian Alan Russell attended the annual conference
in September.
Upon arrival, students were divided into groups with other members
from across the state.
“I got a lot out of watching the offers of the state who
served as leaders for each group,” Catoe said. “I was
impressed that even though they were in high school, they showed
leadership skills and acted more mature. It was important for
me to see how they led our groups.”
Watauga students had ample opportunities to discuss leadership
styles and shared experiences with fellow officers from around
North Carolina.
“In dealing with each group, they were so big people had
to take on leadership positions to get control. It was important
for us to see why you had to take a leadership position, to separate
responsibility,” Catoe said.
The groups competed in several competitions against each other
during the workshop.
Watauga students received awards in five different areas of competition.
Students earned first and second place in the quiz bowl competition,
first and third in the TV commercial competition, first for prepared
speech, first place in epic experience and first place for overall
camp champ.
Catoe earned first place for her prepared speech, titled “Leaders
in Transition.”
“Over the past several decades, we have noticed more than
ever the technological era that has begun to take place,”
Catoe said in the prepared speech given to state officials and
judges. “This era will require the leaders created in SkillsUSA.
Through vocational education, the members and leaders of SkillsUSA,
300,000 and counting, are learning lifelong skills that will be
used everyday in the areas of leadership, communication and friendship.
Catoe said in addition to leadership skills, the officers learned
about the parliamentary procedure of SkillsUSA at the camp.
“We are trying to put those procedures into each meeting
for our chapter to make it more official,” Catoe said. “We
are a lot better organized now.”
The WHS chapter of SkillsUSA is open to any student who has an
interest in a technical skill.
During regional and state conventions, all members of the organization
have an opportunity to participate in various competitions.
“If you have a skill, there is a competition for it,”
Catoe said. ”Competitions range from prepared speech, nursing,
construction, auto tech, welding and drafting.
Winners in state competitions are awarded scholarships to technical
schools in the area.
In addition to participating in competitions, the WHS chapter
holds weekly meetings and hosts fundraisers and service projects.
Students had recent success with a car show Saturday. The organization
raised more than $400, which will be used to help pay for expenses
relating to competitions. ”Last year, more than 30 students
attended the state competition, with an entry fee of $150 per
student.
SkillsUSA also works with Samaritan’s Purse and sponsors
a family for the Thanksgiving holiday.
For more information on SkillsUSA, contact club advisor Jim Lusk
at (828) 264-2407.
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