SkillsUSA Georgia News 2009-2010

2009 SkillsUSA Georgia Fall Leadership Conference

“Connecting the Opportunities”

JEKYLL ISLAND, GA - The SkillsUSA Georgia Fall Leadership Conference was held September 17 and 18 at the Jekyll Island Convention Center on Jekyll Island, Georgia. 989 student members, advisors, presenters and alumni from 100 chapters across the state joined together to celebrate the national theme, SkillsUSA: Connecting the Opportunities. Members were involved throughout the conference in activities that allowed them the opportunity to increase their leadership abilities, professionalism, community service, and the aptitude to be a greater champion in their chosen career pathway. Activities were organized and conducted by the State Officer team which is comprised of 8 student leaders representing different parts of the state as well as two SkillsUSA National Officers.

The conference began on Thursday afternoon with planned recreational activities, Statesman Award Testing and visits with business and educational leaders from across the state. The evening kicked off with a parade of chapter spirit before the Opening General Session, where Brunswick High School ROTC presented the colors and Taylor Nix from Sonoraville High School sang the National Anthem. During the Opening Ceremony the State Officers presented their visions for “Connecting the Opportunities” for our members and the many programs that have been developed to drive the message home in our local chapters. Mr. Joe Jones of Epic Leadership presented the keynote address that dovetailed into the theme for the conference and prepared students to successfully pursue opportunities in their future and the skills necessary to be successful in attaining their goals. Friday morning, members attended leadership sessions that ranged from teambuilding and public speaking to etiquette techniques and job interview skills. Members were also able to benefit from visiting displays of the 2009 National Leadership and Skills Conference competitors and gather ideas on how to strengthen their competitive edge in 2010. During the afternoon, members attended sessions devoted to assisting them in discovering a wide range of leadership and skill competitions that they are eligible to compete in for 2010. Advisors attended separate sessions in the morning and afternoon that were lead by business and industry leaders from their pathway areas and discussed ways to increase their pathway promotion, connect to business leaders, industry accreditation and resources available to them as classroom teachers. In the afternoon, the Closing General Session was dedicated to recognizing member success on the national level through competitions, earning the Statesman Award, Chapter Image Award recognition and an inspiring speech was given by State Vice President, Stormy Alexander. Again the theme of the conference “Connecting the Opportunities” was driven home to members as they prepared to return to their school chapters with the vision to expand the impact of SkillsUSA on their school, communities and state.

Later that afternoon members enjoyed recreation at Summer Waves Park and that evening members attended a session to learn more about the process of running for and serving as a State Officer. Members also learned about a new leadership opportunity during this session, as Region Officer positions will be elected during the upcoming year. The evening ended with members enjoying a night of various social activities that included a dance, movie and bingo. Student members and advisors returned to their schools with the motivation, abilities and inspiration to challenge themselves in connecting all of the opportunities for the school year.

The following chapters and members were recognized during the conference:

The two Chapters with the largest membership to date:

Maxwell High School of Technology – 173
Centennial High School - 240

Chapter Image Award Recipients Selection is based on professional appearance of members, enthusiasm for SkillsUSA, courtesy and respect during presentations, general attitude as a team and SkillsUSA spirit!

Congratulations to:
Maxwell High School of Technology
Kendrick High School
Cross Keys High School

100% Statesman Award Recipients The Statesman Award test is an evaluation of a participant’s knowledge about SkillsUSA facts, history, programs, and ceremonies. Congratulations to the following 32 members that made a perfect score on the Statesman Award Test!

Camden County High School - Kingsland, GA
Jayla Johnson

Cass Comp High School - Cartersville, GA
Christina George

Cass Comp High School - Cartersville, GA
Stephanie Gibson

Centennial High School - Roswell, GA
Alex Sheridan

Dalton High School - Dalton, GA
Yea Jee Bae

Dalton High School - Dalton, GA
Ivett Garcia

Dutchtown High School - Hampton , GA
Allison Green

Fannin County High School - Blue Ridge, GA
Brooklyn Cole

Fannin County High School - Blue Ridge, GA
Colin Daniels

Fannin County High School - Blue Ridge, GA
Drew Dillard

Fannin County High School - Blue Ridge, GA
Lindsey Wright

Harris County High School - Hamilton, GA
Cassandra Morgan

Harris County High School - Hamilton, GA
Anna Stewart

Jackson High School - Jackson, GA
Megan Carver

Jackson High School - Jackson, GA
Kelsey Hart

Jackson High School - Jackson, GA
Isaac Redman

Kendrick High School - Columbus, GA
Kamisha Alexander

Kendrick High School - Columbus, GA
Keonte Williams

Mary Persons High School - Forsyth, GA
Benjamin Watts

Monroe High School – Albany, GA
Jontavis Simmons

Monroe High School - Albany, GA
Ayana Hubbard

Monroe High School - Albany, GA
Keambre Jackson

Monroe High School - Albany, GA
Jasmine Odom

Northside High School - Columbus, GA
Jacob Narde

Northside High School - Columbus, GA
Brett Nisson

Stephens County High School - Toccoa, GA
Caitlin Chastain

Union Grove High School - McDonough, GA
Thomas Bell

Union Grove High School - McDonough, GA
Michael Campbell

Union Grove High School - McDonough, GA
Teja Mandava

Wilcox County High School - Rochelle, GA
John Gordon

Wilcox County High School - Rochelle, GA
Statham Sapp

Statesman Award Recipients – 140 members passed the Statesman Award with an 85% or better

Alcovy High School - Covington, GA
Shawn Campbell

Baldwin High School - Milledgeville, GA
Jamila Baraka

Baldwin High School - Milledgeville, GA
Janeria Odum

Baldwin High School - Milledgeville, GA
Hersheda Patel

Baldwin High School - Milledgeville, GA
Semetress Simmons

Baldwin High School - Milledgeville, GA
Keambra Turner

Baldwin High School - Milledgeville, GA
Ashia Washington

Bradwell Institute - Hinesville, GA
Gina Chester

Bradwell Institute - Hinesville, GA
Jeffery Silvey

Camden County High School - Kingsland, GA
Toni Blake

Camden County High School - Kingsland, GA
Cameron Gardell

Camden County High School - Kingsland, GA
Jacob Jackson

Camden County High School - Kingsland, GA
Rachel McBride

Camden County High School - Kingsland, GA
MiCara McKaskle

Cass Comp High School - Cartersville, GA
Victoria Kilgore

Cass Comp High School - Cartersville, GA
Tyler Smith

Centennial High School - Roswell, GA
Katy Blanton

Centennial High School - Roswell, GA
Miles Carby

Centennial High School - Roswell, GA
Diego Carvallo

Centennial High School - Roswell, GA
Anthony Kuehl

Centennial High School - Roswell, GA
Paige McKay

Centennial High School - Roswell, GA
Greta Radovich

Centennial High School - Roswell, GA
Gloria Salinas

Chamblee Charter High School - Chamblee, GA
Carrie Moore

Creekside High School
Thaddeus Dixon

Creekside High School
Joshua King

Creekside High School
Bintou Kunjo

Creekside High School
Luvone Peoples

Crim Open Campus
Tabetha Henderson

Crim Open Campus
Tiara Roundtree

Cross Creek High School - Augusta, GA
Rikysha Williams

Cross Keys High School - Atlanta, GA
Kevin Aviles

Cross Keys High School - Atlanta, GA
Devonte Clark

Cross Keys High School - Atlanta, GA
Kamaldeen Lawal

Cross Keys High School - Atlanta, GA
Aaron Marks

Cross Keys High School - Atlanta, GA
Keyono McMichael

Cross Keys High School - Atlanta, GA
John-Michael Mendy

Cross Keys High School - Atlanta, GA
Marcus Mitchell

Cross Keys High School - Atlanta, GA
Gregory Morris

Cross Keys High School - Atlanta, GA
Tyra Myers

Cross Keys High School - Atlanta, GA
Ahsanullah Nasir

Cross Keys High School - Atlanta, GA
Steven Williams

Dalton High School - Dalton, GA
Elena Lopez

Dalton High School - Dalton, GA
Elissa Lopez

Dalton High School - Dalton, GA
Monica Maldonado

Dalton High School - Dalton, GA
Jeffrey Ramos

Dekalb High School of Tech-South - Decatur, GA
Keith Collins

Dekalb High School of Tech-South - Decatur, GA
Luis Galicia

Franklin County High School - Carnesville, GA
Kayla Moon

Harris County High School - Hamilton, GA
Kristin Davenport

Harris County High School - Hamilton, GA
Jordan Dean

Harris County High School - Hamilton, GA
Macie Glisson

Harris County High School - Hamilton, GA
Jessica Long

Harris County High School - Hamilton, GA
Ryan Miller

Harris County High School - Hamilton, GA
Cheryl Mullis

Harris County High School - Hamilton, GA
Cole O'Neal

Harris County High School - Hamilton, GA
Mallory Roy

Hart County High School - Hartwell, GA
Rachel Schleier

Jackson High School - Jackson, GA
Anthony Gwara

Jackson High School - Jackson, GA
Alexa Osborne

Jordan Vocational High School - Columbus, GA
James Alier

Jordan Vocational High School - Columbus, GA
Kasey Corbitt

Jordan Vocational High School - Columbus, GA
Destiny Farrar

Jordan Vocational High School - Columbus, GA
Lindsey Herbold

Jordan Vocational High School - Columbus, GA
Austin McAndrew

Jordan Vocational High School - Columbus, GA
Harley Smith

Jordan Vocational High School - Columbus, GA
Cassy Taylor

Kendrick High School - Columbus, GA
Jelisa Bass

Kendrick High School - Columbus, GA
Patric Berry

Kendrick High School - Columbus, GA
Astoria Doyle

Kendrick High School - Columbus, GA
Karolyn English

Kendrick High School - Columbus, GA
Jennifer Jackson

Kendrick High School - Columbus, GA
Dominique Robinson

Kendrick High School - Columbus, GA
Marquise Westbrook

Lee County High School - Leesburg, GA
Tyson Merrell

Lithia Springs High School - Lithia Springs, GA
Jasmine Cumberbatch

Lithia Springs High School - Lithia Springs, GA
Dylan Galloway

Lithia Springs High School - Lithia Springs, GA
Nancy Garcia

Lithia Springs High School - Lithia Springs, GA
Luis Mares

Lithia Springs High School - Lithia Springs, GA
Morgan Rhodenhizer

Mary Persons High School - Forsyth, GA
Jessica Bailey

Mary Persons High School - Forsyth, GA
Candice Doskocil

Mary Persons High School - Forsyth, GA
Blake Herdon

Mary Persons High School - Forsyth, GA
Michael Leatherwood

Maxwell High School of Tech - Lawrenceville, GA
Madihah Abuhazim

Maxwell High School of Tech - Lawrenceville, GA
Mariana Arana

Maxwell High School of Tech - Lawrenceville, GA
Ingrid Camenish

Maxwell High School of Tech - Lawrenceville, GA
Donye Coleman

Maxwell High School of Tech - Lawrenceville, GA
Brittany Curtis

Maxwell High School of Tech - Lawrenceville, GA
Jacob Erwin

Maxwell High School of Tech - Lawrenceville, GA
Breahna Hunter

Maxwell High School of Tech - Lawrenceville, GA
Tyra Jones

Maxwell High School of Tech - Lawrenceville, GA
Harry Lara

Maxwell High School of Tech - Lawrenceville, GA
Sharonda Lewis

Maxwell High School of Tech - Lawrenceville, GA
Lindsay McKee

Maxwell High School of Tech - Lawrenceville, GA
Kaitlyn McLaughlin

McEachern High School - Powder Springs, GA
Kevin Broyles

McEachern High School - Powder Springs, GA
Mallory Hawkes

McEachern High School - Powder Springs, GA
Jesse Huckeby

McEachern High School - Powder Springs, GA
Frannie Wallen

McIntosh County Academy
Logan Boone

Miller Grove High School - Lithonia, GA
Ann Connelly

Miller Grove High School - Lithonia, GA
Jarvion Crawford

Miller Grove High School - Lithonia, GA
Montoya Davis

Miller Grove High School - Lithonia, GA
Laporsha Ellis

Miller Grove High School - Lithonia, GA
Sabin Lyons

Monroe High School - Albany, GA
Benjamin Dunnaway

Monroe High School - Albany, GA
Charles Fulton

Monroe High School - Albany, GA
Joshua Green

Monroe High School - Albany, GA
Hannah Moore

Northside High School - Columbus, GA
Jachin Myers

Northside High School - Columbus, GA
Matt Ridley

Northside High School - Columbus, GA
Franklin Valdera

Shaw High School - Columbus, GA
Dustin Averett

Shaw High School - Columbus, GA
Jessica Boyd

Shaw High School - Columbus, GA
Kristen Brown

Shaw High School - Columbus, GA
Jemilla Cherif

Shaw High School - Columbus, GA
Jackson Robles

Shaw High School - Columbus, GA
Maya Walton

Sonoraville High School - Calhoun, GA
Jeffery Wheat

Stephens County High School - Toccoa, GA
Ashley Hill

Stephens County High School - Toccoa, GA
Ashley Hunter

Stephens County High School - Toccoa, GA
Melissa Retkofsky

T W Josey High School - Augusta, GA
Quantavius Cheatham

T W Josey High School - Augusta, GA
Ronnie Dykes

T W Josey High School - Augusta, GA
Desiree' Harris

T W Josey High School - Augusta, GA
Jaqueiah Harvey

T W Josey High School - Augusta, GA
Seth Larmer

T W Josey High School - Augusta, GA
JaQuetta Marshall

T W Josey High School - Augusta, GA
Hakeem Rhodes

Troup County Comp High School - Lagrange, GA
Tyler Olson

Troup County Comp High School - Lagrange, GA
Nowell Scott

Valdosta High School - Valdosta, GA
Stephen Cavallaro

Valdosta High School - Valdosta, GA
Raheem Daniels

Valdosta High School - Valdosta, GA
David Hutcherson

Valdosta High School - Valdosta, GA
Heath Newbern

Valdosta High School - Valdosta, GA
Jensine Williams

Whitfield County Career Academy - Dalton, GA
Jacqueline Figueroa

Wilcox County High School - Rochelle, GA
Meghan Reeves

Wilcox County High School - Rochelle, GA
Regan Veal

Fall Leadership Conference Chapters in Attendance

Alcovy High School
Appling Co. High School
Baldwin High School
Benjamin E. Mays High School
Bradwell Institute
Brooks Co. High School
Burke Co. High School
Cairo High School
Camden Co. High School
Cass Comp. High School
Centennial High School
Central High School
Chamblee Charter High School
Clarke Central High School
Colquitt Co. High School
Creekside High School
Crim Open Campus
Cross Creek High School
Cross Keys High School
Dalton High School
Dekalb HS of Tech South
Dodge Co. High School
Dutchtown High School
East Hall High School
East Jackson Comp. High School
East Laurens High School
Evans High School
Fannin Co. High School
Fitzgerald High School
Floyd Co. High School
Forest Park High School
Franklin Co. High School
Gilmer Co. High School
Golden Isles Career Academy
Greenville High School
Habersham Central High School
Hancock Central High School
Harlem High School
Harlem High School
Harris Co. High School
Hart Co. High School
Heritage High School
Howard High School
Hutchings Career Center
Jackson Co. High School
Jackson High School
Jones Co. High School
Jonesboro High School
Jordan Vocational High School
Kendrick High School
Lafayette High School
Lee Co. High School
Lincoln Co. High School
Lithia Springs High School
Loganville High School
Lovejoy High School
Lowndes High School
Manchester High School
Mary Persons High School
Maxwell HS of Technology
Maynard Jackson High School
McEachern High School
McIntosh County Academy
Miller Grove High School
Monroe High School
Morrow High School
Mount Zion High School
North Cobb High School
Northside High School
Osborne High School
Peach Co. High School
Pickens High School
Rockdale Career Academy
Rockdale Co. High School
Rutland High School
RW Johnson High School
Savannah High School
Sequoyah High School
Shaw High School
Sonoraville High School
South Cobb High School
Southwest High School
Stephens Co. High School
T W Josey High School
Technical Education Center of Carroll Co.
Terrell High School
Thomson High School
Tift Co. High School
Troup Co. High School
Union Co. High School
Union Grove High School
Valdosta High School
Walnut Grove High School
Walton Career Academy
Walton High School
Washington Co. High School
Wayne Co. High School
Whitfield Co. Career Academy
Wilcox Co. High School
Woodville Tompkins