Friday Flash April 7, 2023

SkillsUSA Louisiana Championship

A great big thanks to all the students and advisors that made this years championships a huge success. Scores will will be posted online for viewing soon. You will need the contestant number and date of birth, View https://www.skillsusa-register.org/rpts/EventScoreDetails.aspx

Advisors pre-orders for the NLSC T-shirt with drawstring bag need to be listed on the SkillsUSA register site by May 4. Payment will be included with your NLSC Registration.

Registrations must be summitted by May 12 before 6 PM. NO EXCEPTIONS

Payment must be received at the Gray, LA PO Box by May 26. NO EXCEPTIONS

View any updates relating to our state Delegation at the NLSC Page on our site. Also contestants keep an eye on the contest updates page. HERE

Deadline Extended: Nominate a Student for the Skills Jam Docuseries

SkillsUSA has partnered with the Skilled Careers Coalition to produce Skills Jam, a docuseries that follows SkillsUSA students on their journeys to the SkillsUSA Championships at the 2023 National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta. Applicants should be:

High school students
Highly skilled students with the anticipation of doing well at state competitions
Able to discuss their SkillsUSA journey and passion for their craft comfortably on camera

The docuseries will focus on competitors with skills that are pertinent to the entertainment industry. However, students don’t need to be interested in a career within the entertainment industry to participate. For more information and a full list of the 29 SkillsUSA competitions that apply to this project, visit the Skills Jam page on our website.

Do you know of an excellent student to nominate for the Skills Jam video series? Submit your nomination form by April 14.

Make Your Mark with Big New Scholarship Opportunity

SkillsUSA has partnered with Aerotek to create the “Make Your Mark” scholarship, which will deliver multiple $5,000 awards to qualified applicants. SkillsUSA members who meet the following requirements are eligible:

Must be a current postsecondary student already enrolled in — or a high school senior planning to enroll in — a community college, technical college, certificate program or apprenticeship.
Must be following one of the following career pathways:
Arts, A/V and Communications (Telecommunications Cabling only)
Architecture & Construction
Information Technology
Manufacturing
STEM
Transportation

Note that these scholarships are not for four-year schools. SkillsUSA members in underserved communities are encouraged to apply, and scholarships will be awarded across as many states as possible to create equity in distribution.

Priority selection will be given to students with financial need who are upskilling their current knowledge base. Learn more online and apply by April 30. Scholarships will be awarded on or before May 30. For questions, email Megan Flinn.

Register for SkillsUSA National Signing Day

On May 4, SkillsUSA National Signing Day will celebrate high school seniors and college/postsecondary students who have chosen to pursue careers as professionals in the skilled trades. Registration is open until April 21. Early Bird Registration is now closed, but SkillsUSA is still offering some benefits for registration as available:

Students can apply to receive a $1,000 scholarship (25 to be awarded). The scholarship application closes on April 13.
First 500 registrants receive Signing Day baseball caps.
First 250 advisors who register five or more students receive a $50 Lowe’s gift card.
Registrants will receive Signing Day table runners (while supplies last).

Advisors, the Signing Day Toolkit will help you plan an event, and it is available now on the Signing Day webpage. Please assign someone to take photos and videos of your Signing Day events and share them with SkillsUSA social media specialist Brooke Gatchell.

Celebrate Community Contributions During SkillsUSA’s National Week of Service

SkillsUSA is asking all chapters to conduct and promote a community service project during the National Week of Service, May 7-13. This event helps commemorate 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 should email a brief description of their chapter events to Gayle Silvey. In return, we’ll send a SkillsUSA logo gift item valued at $15 to say thanks.

We encourage participants to publicize your projects locally. To locate media resources for your community, including contact information for area 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.” To see the full contact information for each outlet, click on the name of the newspaper.

The Power of Mentors in Latest SkillsUSA Champions Feature

Check out our latest article on the SkillsUSA Champions digital hub, featuring former national officer Sheila Vasquez. The story centers around Vasquez’s journey from a culinary arts student to her current role as assistant counsel for the Department of Homeland Security in Miami. It highlights the importance of mentors in anyone’s life and career. If you would rather listen than read, the interview was also turned into a SkillsUSA podcast episode.

Press Release Template for State Conference Participants

The SkillsUSA Advocacy site has a press release template to help state conference participants share their competition results with their local media. Parents, instructors or students can send these emails to newspapers or TV stations in your area. Please spread the word about this important tool; this is a great assignment for school or state reporters! For questions, email Jane Short.

Applications Open for Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Travel Scholarships

In partnership with Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, SkillsUSA is proud to announce a travel scholarship opportunity for SkillsUSA high school members in selected trades who are competing in the 2023 SkillsUSA Championships. Eligible members can apply to receive up to $1,500 to assist in attending the 2023 National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC). Applications will be accepted through May 22. Recipients will be announced on May 25.

Focus Students on Safety

The CareerSafe National Youth Safety Video Contest challenges students to create a two-minute video demonstrating workplace safety. Send submissions to CareerSafe by April 30. The winning students will receive a SkillsUSA prize pack and a scholarship of up to $2,500, and the winning school will receive a prize of up to $5,000. For more information and to submit your entry, visit the CareerSafe website.

Seeking Musical Talent to Perform National Anthem at NLSC

Do you have a musical gift to share with the SkillsUSA community? If so, apply to perform the national anthem at the opening session of SkillsUSA’s National Leadership & Skills Conference this June. The chosen performer will be offered complimentary conference registration if their sole purpose of attendance is to perform the national anthem. Apply by 5 p.m. ET on Friday, April 28. For questions, contact Joey Baker.

Apply for the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching 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 2023, Harbor Freight will award more than $1.5 million in cash prizes to 25 skilled trades teachers and their programs. In 2022, the prize recognized 12 SkillsUSA instructors as winners. Applications must be received by May 5. Winners will be announced in October.

The SkillsUSA Store – Featured Product

April showers bring May flowers and this 42" Auto Open Folding Umbrella with logo is a spring staple. It is manual opening with a matching case and wrist strap and folds to only 9” to throw in a bag or backpack for travel. Get ready for spring and show the world around you that SkillsUSA members are always ready for anything — even rainy weather!