SkillsUSA Georgia

The SkillsUSA Georgia Executive Council attended the Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) Mid-Year Training Program, which was held at the Covington FFA - FCCLA Center from November 29 – December 2, 2006.  The program served as a supplement for the training that the officers received in June of this year. SkillsUSA participants included President, Kendall Hart; Vice President, Lauren Kelly; Secretary, Crystal Suits; Treasurer, Maheera Farsi; Reporter, Crystal Guess; Parliamentarian, Shajuana Peak; North Region Vice President, Kristen Bennett; South Region Vice President, Kelly Glass; Advisors, Peggy Snyder and Jon Liston, and State Director Gayle Silvey.

In addition to the SkillsUSA State Officers, seventy officers from the following organizations also participated:  Technology Student Association (TSA); Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA); Vocational Opportunities Chapters of America (VOCA); Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA); Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA); and DECA (An Association for Marketing Students).  Each organization also attended the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) Conference at the World Congress Center in Downtown Atlanta.

SkillsUSA was fortunate to be involved in several ways during the ACTE Conference. The Opening General Session began on a harmonious note with Parliamentarian, Shajuana Peak and South Region Vice President, Kelly Glass performing the National Anthem for a packed assembly.  President, Kendall Hart made two presentations during the ACTE Conference. On Friday, Kendall presented awards on behalf of ACTE and on Saturday morning during the Closing General Session, she wowed the crowd with a passionate presentation on the benefit of student involvement in CTSOs. Not only did these events bring recognition for our State Officers but they also provided national acknowledgment for SkillsUSA Georgia!

The training at the camp was provided by Mr. Brian Fiese of Dallas, Texas.  Mr. Fiese is the co-founder of Motivated Proformance and author of Two Steps Back, a Lifetime Forward - A Success Guide for Modern Living; Power Presenting. The topics covered during his workshops focused on delivering effective presentations that impact an audience.  Other presentations included:  “Parliamentary Procedure” led by the FBLA Executive Council and Mr. Monty Rhodes, and “Legislative Action” lead by Mr. Scott Carey and Ms. Gayle Silvey.

To balance Thursday and Friday’s training, we enjoyed dinner on Friday night at Stevie B’s, an all-you can eat pizza buffet. After our dinner, the CTSO State Officers were taken to the recreational facility, H2O where the remainder of the night was spent dancing, playing in the arcade, and even a few teams took part in a CTSO dodge-ball tournament!  Everyone had a great time and experienced a wonderful team bonding opportunity!

The SkillsUSA State Officers grew stronger as a team through the training and recreational activities but more than anything; we enjoyed the opportunity to bond with the State Officers from around the state!

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