SkillsUSA is a program that trains students to focus on the skills needed to be champions at work, in the communities and in their personal lives.

Sophomore Haley Proctor is the chairperson who is in charge of the committees that SkillsUSA will form. She has to make sure that all of the district committees are on track and have the papers they need to turn in.

“The students learn how to be an advocate for a career in technical education. They get to network with students from across the country at the Washington Leadership Training Institute,” law enforcement teacher David Lanman said.

Proctor met staffers from Senator Ted Cruz’s presidential campaign and talked to them about SkillsUSA Sept. 18.

“The attendees are given the opportunity to meet with the representatives of their office,” Lanman said. “The most important, is being able to go to Washington D.C.”

Students who attended the Texas State Leadership Conference during the summer are eligible to take the trip to the WLTI. Through this program, students learn how to manage for success, how to deliver persuasive messages and how to delegate and motivate.

“I was given leadership training about how to effectively give a speech and how to inform people of what SkillsUSA is,” Proctor said.

During their stay in Washington D.C. they must complete their pre-conference assignments, which involves the Carl Perkins legislation, write an essay and create a flyer explaining how it affects their school district. This legislation provides additional money to Career and Technical Education programs across the nation.

Want to build leadership skills? Find Mr. Lanman in room 819 to learn more about joining SKILLS USA.