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Writer's pictureJeremy Boudreaux

Friday Flash March 3, 2023


SkillsUSA Louisiana Championship

Registration Deadline is TODAY for the SkillsUSA Louisiana Championship! March 29-31, 2023, are the dates for the 41st SkillsUSA Louisiana Leadership and Skills Conference (SLSC) to be held in Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana.


March 7 is for the deadline for the Hotel to take advantage of the room block and discounted rate. Don't Be Late!


Be sure to monitor the contest updates page on the State website to be informed of any changes and materials needed for each contest.

Meet Our International Bronze Medalist in Welding

The latest article on the SkillsUSA Champions digital hub features SkillsUSA member Jordan Packer, our recent WorldSkills bronze medalist in Welding. Jordan was the first welding podium medalist for the United States at the WorldSkills Competition in a decade, and his point totals put him just 1% away from the gold. In the article, he shares some great philosophies learned in SkillsUSA that helped him achieve this milestone in his craft.


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 here by 5 p.m. ET on Friday, April 28. For questions, contact Joey Baker.

Learn to Leverage “The SkillsUSA Advantage” Report

Join other advisors and stakeholders on March 21 at 3:30 p.m. for a webinar on the new “SkillsUSA Advantage” report and learn to articulate how SkillsUSA experiences help create purpose, passion and skill in every student. SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis and Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Ricardo Romanillos will review “The SkillsUSA Advantage” report, which was recently released by the Student Research Foundation. They’ll discuss the report’s findings that SkillsUSA members consistently outperform peers who are not enrolled in career and technical student organizations (CTSOs). Attendees will receive resources including two digital reports plus a PowerPoint deck so you can use this information with school administrators, community leaders and others as you advocate for SkillsUSA and career and technical education. Register by March 19 and participate in the session to be eligible for door prizes.


The SkillsUSA Awards Store Featured Category

Graduation season is around the corner and it comes up fast. Don’t miss the opportunity to show off the hard work and achievements of your SkillsUSA students. Shop for graduation honor cords, tassels and stoles in our dedicated Graduation Regalia category. The store offers items that would be wonderful graduation gifts, too.


Press Release Template for State Conference Participants

New on the SkillsUSA Advocacy site is a press release template for state conference participants and others to share competition results with local media. Parents, instructors, students or anyone can send emails. Please spread the word about this important tool at your state conferences. For questions, email Jane Short.


Up to 50k in Grants for Global Youth Service Day

Youth Service America (YSA) is searching for heartwarming young heroes with creative ideas to foster meaningful connections, promote inclusion and teach empathy. With support from Hershey’s Heartwarming Project, YSA will award up to $50,000 in grants for youth-led service projects and community-building activities during Global Youth Service Day (April 28-30). With $100, $250 and $500 grant options, youth ages 5-25 are eligible to apply for “miniature-size” family-and-friends projects, “standard size” group/class/club projects, or “king-size” community-wide projects. Learn more and apply here by March 5.


SkillsUSA members studying HVACR at the 11th grade, 12th grade, or college/postsecondary level are encouraged to apply for the Clifford H. “Ted” Rees Jr. Scholarship, offered in partnership between the Scholarship Foundation, AHRI and SkillsUSA. Four scholarship awards of $2,500 each will be awarded in the spring of 2023 to the best qualified applicants through an online application process. The $2,500 scholarship awards are paid directly to the selected recipient’s postsecondary institution to be applied to the tuition bill. SkillsUSA members may apply online by March 31 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Advisors, students, and parents are encouraged to visit scholarships.skillsusa.org to learn about additional scholarship opportunities available to SkillsUSA members. For questions, email Megan Flinn.


Plan Now for SkillsUSA National Signing Day on May 4

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. SkillsUSA chapters are encouraged to host a signing day event and invite business partners, school administrators, teachers, elected officials, SkillsUSA alumni, family and friends to honor graduating seniors as they sign “letters of intent” for a job offer, apprenticeship or advanced technical training. Early bird registration opens March 13 through April 3, and registration closes April 21.

Early Bird registration by April 3 provides eligibility for the following:

  • Students can apply for a $1,000 scholarship (25 to be awarded).

  • Signing Day supply bundles valued at $500 will be awarded to 10 schools (schools must register five or more students to be eligible).

  • First 500 registrants receive Signing Day baseball caps.

  • First 250 advisors who register five or more students receive a $50 Lowe’s gift card.

  • Step-and-repeat banners with the SkillsUSA logo, the Signing Day logo and the school’s name will be given away to 10 schools (register five or more students to be eligible).

  • First 50 chapters that register five or more students will receive a Signing Day Welcome] poster, vinyl Signing Day podium sign and 35 Signing Day certificates with sleeves .

  • Signing Day school grants of $250 will be awarded to 50 schools to enhance their Signing Day event (schools must register five or more students to be eligible).


A digital Signing Day toolkit to help plan your event with details on how to apply for these incentives will be posted on the Signing Day webpage soon.


Earn Recognition and Presidential Honors

SkillsUSA will recognize advisors, students and registered alumni for their community service through the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA). To qualify, SkillsUSA members must submit a record of their service hours. With SkillsUSA’s focus on community service, you may have already met the requirements. For details on how to apply, visit the website. Applications must be received by April 1.


Are You a “Maker and Fixer?” Snap-on Wants to Spotlight and Reward You

SkillsUSA industry partner Snap-on is shining a spotlight on the Makers and Fixers who keep the world moving. They seek stories about skilled people who work with their hands in the essential industries that focus on transportation — in the air, in the automotive shops or on the roads and rails. Future, past or present Makers and Fixers are invited to share their personal stories or nominate someone they admire. To share your story, visit the Share Your Story page, write about yourself and upload a few photos of you working on a project. Follow @MakersandFixerson Instagram to see if your story is shared. All eligible stories are entered into a drawing, and two stories are picked each month to win a prize valued up to $600. Visit the official rules for more information.

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