South Effingham High School Makes Its Mark on the Nation!
In an unprecedented contest sweep, two South Effingham High School SkillsUSA members’ graphic designs have been chosen to represent SkillsUSA at the upcoming National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC)! SkillsUSA Advisor and Graphic Communications teacher, Craig Owens of South Effingham High School encouraged his students to enter the national contest but never imagined out of the thousands of entries that are received from across the country that two of his students would win the competition.
Ashley Thompson won the SkillsUSA 2010 National T-Shirt Competition. Each attendee of the NLSC will receive the t-shirt and wear it during the Champions Festival. Amanda Thaxton won the 2010 SkillsUSA National Pin Design Competition and each registered participant will receive a free lapel pin as well. Ashley and Amanda have both won the following:
- A plaque with the winning design
- Recognition at the SkillsUSA 2010 Opening Ceremony at national conference on June 23, 2010 in Kansas City
- A travel scholarship to attend national conference
- A set of pins of the winning design or t-shirts of the winning design
As Amanda's and Ashley's advisor, Mr. Owens has won a $5,000 program grant for each competition for a total of $10,000 to be used towards his Graphic Communications lab. He will also receive a plaque for his classroom as well with the winning designs.
Congratulations again on creating the winning designs for the National Leadership and Skills Conference!
 
Officer Looks Back before Moving Forward
by Kimberly McNeil
When I first got elected as a state officer at the 2009 State Leadership and Skills Conference, I was the happiest person in the audience. I didn't know what to expected holding this position but Ashley and Mrs. Silvey put us right to work. The first time the state officer team and I went to training in the summer, we bonded so fast. I believe the friendship that we formed outside of SkillsUSA Georgia is the reason why we were such a great team. As a state officer, you will work very hard. You will have to learn scripts, plan events such as Fall and State Conference, and you will have to serve as a role model for SkillsUSA Georgia members, all while having this huge smile on your face. It may sound like a struggle but everything that we did was worth it. I would have never been able to become the leader or the person I am today if it wasn't for my advisor, Mrs. Jackson, the state director, Mrs. Silvey, the state officer trainer, Ashley Hopkins and especially the 2009- 2010 SkillsUSA Georgia State Officer Team.
I know SkillsUSA Georgia is making a big impact in the nation. The professionalism and dedication to its national organization and the members in it is the reason why it is one of the best SkillsUSA associations in the nation. I plan on coming back to visit at the Fall and State Conferences. I know SkillsUSA Georgia will continue to shape lives just like it did for me.
Next year I plan to continue my education. I have been accepted and will be going to Johnson and Wales University Charlotte in Charlotte, NC. There, I will be majoring in Hotel Management and I will also continue my leadership in SkillsUSA. I have received a $4,000 scholarship from Johnson and Wales University as long as I continue being a member in SkillsUSA at the University. I also want to run for state and hopefully national office through the school. After college, I plan on becoming a manager at a five-star hotel and then continue to go back to school until I own my own chain of hotels. I would have never believed in this dream if I wasn't for SkillsUSA. Thank you, SkillsUSA for being my mentor.
Jefferson County High School SkillsUSA members rebuilt a foot bridge
Jefferson County High School SkillsUSA members rebuilt a foot bridge to the football and soccer practice field at the school. Members are in the process of rebuilding another foot bridge to the baseball field as well. Members are lead under the direction of Advisor, Jim Borum and have a thriving chapter. |
