SkillsUSA Louisiana
Participants at Nationals should check out the checklist for items that need to be addressed. https://www.nlsc.skillsusa.org/championships
Advisors have one more week to get NLSC registrations entered and submitted, and reserve hotel rooms. Payment due shortly after.
Advisors pre-orders for the NLSC T-shirt with drawstring bag need to be listed on the SkillsUSA register site by May 12. Payment will be included with your NLSC Registration. You can also pre-order and pay on our website. HERE
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
Spotlight Your Community During SkillsUSA 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 on social media by posting photos or videos of your activities. 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. We encourage participants to publicize your projects locally. To locate your local newspapers, use our SkillsUSA Advocacy Site. On the site, click on “Media,” enter your ZIP code, and choose up to six outlets. Then, click on “Send a Message.” To see the full contact information for each outlet, click on the name of the newspaper.
Data Dive: Understanding “The SkillsUSA Advantage”
Everyone is welcome to join SkillsUSA partners, advisors and other supporters on May 10 at 3 p.m. ET for a webinar on “The SkillsUSA Advantage” report to learn 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 data from “The SkillsUSA Advantage” report recently released by the Student Research Foundation and discuss how SkillsUSA members across all groups consistently outperform peers who are not enrolled in career and technical student organizations (CTSOs). SkillsUSA national officer Lili Valencia will also share her personal perspective on how participation in SkillsUSA and work-based experiences have informed her future. Register now, and we encourage you to share this invitation with your school and state partners and supporters. For questions, contact Ricardo Romanillos.
End-of-Year Celebration Ideas
The end of the school year provides the perfect occasion to celebrate and reflect on the growth that has taken place over the year. Celebrating gives students a strong sense of individual and team accomplishment and builds enthusiasm to continue the great work into the next year. Here are a few ideas for your celebration.
Host a banquet for the entire chapter, as well as their friends and family. Recognize student members for what they specifically accomplished, such as their leadership roles, demonstrated teamwork, and completed projects.
Host an appreciation circle. Individually, each participant takes the chair at the “head” of the circle, and all the other participants recognize that person very specifically for his or her contributions to the project.
Host a fun activity at a local facility (bowling alley, miniature golf, swimming pool).
Post photos and names of students on a bulletin board in the classroom or around campus.
Put an announcement in the school bulletin or newsletter and website.
Recognize participants at a school assembly, faculty meeting or school board meeting.
Have a jar available in the classroom or office where students can write notes of appreciation to each other for peer recognition.
Applications Open for Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Travel Scholarships
In partnership with Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, SkillsUSA has a travel scholarship opportunity for SkillsUSA high school members in select 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. Applications will be accepted through May 22. Recipients will be announced on May 25.
SkillsUSA Activate Registration Now Open for Student Leaders
Registration is now open for SkillsUSA Activate, a two-and-a-half-day, high-energy leadership conference offered to all middle school and high school SkillsUSA student members ready to take their leadership to the next level. The conference focuses on developing SkillsUSA Framework skills for use in achieving the SkillsUSA Program of Work, including Leadership; Planning, Organizing and Management; and Teamwork. Activate will be held June 17-19 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta prior to the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, and advisors should register their members now. The registration deadline is May 16. For questions, contact Taryn Erminio.
Press Release Template for State Conference Participants
The SkillsUSA Advocacy site has a press release template to help highlight state conference competition results with your local or state media. Parents, instructors or students can send these emails to newspapers or TV stations in your area and is a great assignment for school or state reporters. For questions, email Jane Short.
The U.S. Department of Education has recently expanded the eligibility requirement and extended the deadline for the new Career Z Challenge. This multi-phase competition is designed to expand high school student access to high quality work-based learning (WBL) while preparing them to contribute to today’s workforce and propelling them into careers of the future. The Career Z Challenge supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s Raise the Bar: Unlocking Career Success initiative. Semifinalists and finalists are eligible to receive targeted technical assistance, including professional development support, webinars and training, participation in a community of practice (CoP) as well as a portion of a $2.5 million prize pool. Learn more on the Career Z Challenge website. The submission deadline has been extended to June 7 at 6 p.m.
Check out this message from Secretary Cardona about the Career Z Challenge as well as this Career Z Challenge video.
The SkillsUSA Store – Chapter Champion Rockers
Take competition pins to a whole new level by adding a Chapter Champion Rocker. Rockers signify that the wearer has earned a bronze, silver or gold medal at the local level, and this is a great way to personalize any competition pin. Shop the Chapter Champion Rocker and personalize your Competition Pins today!
Register Now for the “Your Place in Space Challenge”
The U.S. Department of Education has launched a Your Place in Space Challenge. This is the first challenge in CTE Momentum, an annual challenge series to prepare high school students for rewarding careers and increase access to career and technical education (CTE). The “Your Place in Space Challenge” invites high schools to submit designs for a product or service that will contribute to space missions and exploration. Submissions are due by 6:00 p.m. ET on Oct. 30, and up to 10 winners will receive at least $5,000 each! The department anticipates announcing the winners and launching the next annual challenge in early 2024. Learn more about the challenge on the website. For updates on all CTE Momentum challenges, sign up for the series newsletter.
Contest to Promote the “Water Workforce”
To celebrate the 2023 Earth Day on April 22 and Water Week on April 23-29, the Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs (IWGYP) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are partnering on a digital activation/contest to raise awareness of water use and water careers among youth ages 13-24. To enter, students need to explain the ways they rely on water on a daily basis OR why they would consider a career in the “water workforce.” Submissions — accepted until May 8 — can be in the form of a video, essay, photos or other artwork. Three winners will each receive a $100 Amazon gift card. Visit the Youth Engaged 4 Change website for full information.