Post Conference Updates
Congratulations to all the participants of our Louisiana State Conference!! If you received a Gold metal or not you are a winner in my book for making it to the state level, what a great accomplishment!
The SkillsUSA Louisiana Secondary awarded 65 Gold, 42 Silver, and 27 Bronze medallions. Thousands of dollars in scholarships and prizes were presented.
Detailed scores will be available in a week or two on the National Website, the contestant number and date of birth will be needed for retrieval.
Louisiana NLSC Updates
With the close of our SLSC begins the opening of the National Leadership and Skills Conference. Schools are urged to get your registration submitted for NLSC as soon as possible, If you have a gold metal winner that does not plan to attend please send Mr. Boudreaux an email ASAP.
Remember the deadline to register is May 10 and payment must be received in the State Office on or before May 14.
Get Ready for Skills Jam 2024!
The 2023 Skills Jam cast and docu-series was amazing! Now, we’re ready to do it again, bigger and even better, with Skills Jam 2024! The new cast? That could be you! In fact, your skills are your audition for the show. Advisors, please share this flyer with your students, providing them with all the info they’ll need to submit great content of their own that could land them on the next season of Skills Jam! If you missed them, you can still catch last season’s Skills Jam episodes on YouTube. The tide is turning when it comes to the perception of the skilled trades across the nation. Don’t miss this great opportunity to build that momentum for your program and your students!
Last Chance to Register for Signing Day!
Are you ready to celebrate SkillsUSA National Signing Day (NSD) on May 7 along with thousands of others across America? If your chapter hasn’t registered yet, watch this video from SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis for some last-minute inspiration. Hurry, though: Registration closes on April 23! Learn more about Signing Day and register at signingday.skillsusa.org. Remember, all registered students will receive a personal letter of congratulations from Chelle Travis and SkillsUSA Board President Maureen Tholen, vice president of sustainability at 3M. It will be a great addition to a student's portfolio! Make sure your chapter takes its rightful place under this national spotlight on the skilled trades and our future skilled professionals. National Signing Day is sponsored by the Lowe's Foundation, State Farm and Constellation Energy. For Signing Day shirts, baseball caps and event items, visit the SkillsUSA Store for the exclusive National Signing Day collection.
SkillsUSA Scholarship Application Deadlines Coming Soon
Exploring and applying for SkillsUSA scholarships is an easy process. SkillsUSA student members can review eligibility criteria, scholarship amounts and applications in one location: SkillsUSA Scholarship Application Hub. Please encourage your SkillsUSA students to apply and take advantage of these incredible scholarships!
Scholarship closing on May 6:
● 2024 Robert Flint Student Leadership Development Scholarship for Leverage Conference
NLSC travel scholarship closing on May 22:
● Harbor Freight Tools for Schools (applicants can receive up to $1,500 to attend the 2024 National Leadership & Skills Conference)
Closing May 31:
● The Bob Westphal Memorial Scholarship
To learn more about these scholarships and learn tips on how to submit a quality application, visit the SkillsUSA Scholarships and Grants webpage. If you have questions, contact Jordan Sewell.
Spotlight Your Community During SkillsUSA National Week of Service
SkillsUSA invites chapters to conduct and promote a local community service project during the SkillsUSA National Week of Service, May 5-11. This event commemorates the founding of SkillsUSA on May 8, 1965. Connect with SkillsUSA via social media by posting photos of your activities online. Chapter advisors or officers can also provide a brief description of local chapter events using this form. In return, we’ll send a SkillsUSA logo gift item valued at $15 to say thanks (while supplies last).
We encourage participants to publicize their projects locally. To locate contact information for your local newspapers, use our SkillsUSA Advocacy Site. On the site, click on “Media,” enter your ZIP code, and choose up to six outlets at a time. Then, click on “Send a Message.” At “Compose Your Own Message,” fill in your contact information and your message and click send. To see the full contact information for each outlet, click on the name of the newspaper.
Press Release Template for State Conference Participants
The SkillsUSA Advocacy site has a press release template for state conference participants and their advisors to share participation, competition results and personal or chapter recognition with your hometown media. Parents, instructors, students or anyone can send these emails. Please spread the word about SkillsUSA in your community and share this advocacy resource link at your school and at your state conferences. For questions, email Jane Short.
Join the NLSC 2024 Courtesy Corps!
SkillsUSA encourages all potential National Courtesy Corps (NCC) members to apply early to support the 2024 National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC). This much-appreciated group supports the technical committees and the overall conference experience, and it’s a great way for students to network with industry partners and meet other SkillsUSA students from across the nation. NCC members receive free housing, local transportation, meals and free conference registration. NCC participants are housed at the Georgia Tech Woodruff Residence Hall in Atlanta. An advisor must also join the Courtesy Corps team and serve as a chaperone for their participating students. NCC candidates must also obtain the approval of their state SkillsUSA director. For eligibility and timeline requirements, visit the National Courtesy Corps webpage. For questions, contact Boyd Hestand. The deadline for nominations is May 1. Candidate status notifications will be sent to NCC nominees by May 9. Along with NLSC attendee information, this email will include an acceptance form if a position on Courtesy Corps is available. If you want to not just experience the national conference but to contribute to its success, this is a great and affordable way to participate in SkillsUSA’s biggest event of the year!
Apply for the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teacher Excellence
Applications are now open for the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence awards. The prize recognizes outstanding instruction in the skilled trades in U.S. public high schools and the teachers who inspire students to learn skills to prepare for life after graduation. In 2024, Harbor Freight will award $1.5 million in cash prizes to 25 skilled trades teachers and their programs. In 2023, the prize recognized 16 SkillsUSA instructors as winners. Applications must be received by May 3. Finalists will be announced June 11 and winners will be announced this fall