This November, four Dutchess BOCES SkillsUSA officers attended the Fall Leadership Conference in Albany, where they deepened their knowledge of Skills, made new connections and prepared to be leaders in their school community.
Senior security and law student Bianca Buel, AM president, shared that she “learned about the technical skills, workplace skills and personal skills” that make up the SkillsUSA Framework, a blueprint for career readiness. “We got into groups and went over teamwork and did team building activities that brought out the leader in everyone.”
Buel shared that she met students from across the state and enjoyed camaraderie as everyone discussed their trades.
Her favorite part of the conference was earning her Statesman pin by approaching state officers and answering questions about the Skills pledge, motto, emblem and more.
Senior Noah Browne, AM secretary, shared that the conference “expands your horizons and lets you see how diverse SkillsUSA is,” including diversity in trades, culture and geography.
The graphic design student’s biggest takeaway is the friendships that he made. “I learned how to be myself and put myself out there. It was an invaluable experience that I will never forget,” he said.
In addition to breakout sessions where students worked on leadership skills, students toured the capital building.
“The tour was really interesting. One of the senators came out and said hello to us!” shared Jocelyn Walker-Ricks. Walker-Ricks, a junior in the culinary arts and restaurant management program, also is the PM liaison.
Walker-Ricks also enjoyed celebrating a successful conference by doing karaoke with three new friends at an ice cream social.
Johan Melchor Vasquez, PM vice president, enjoyed brainstorming ideas to promote SkillsUSA as well as fundraisers that schools could do for their chapter and the community.
As a junior in the culinary arts and restaurant management program, this was his first SkillsUSA event outside of BOCES. “I was a little nervous at first, but really enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to future Skills events!”
“The Fall Leadership Conference inspired our students to come back and utilize what they learned. At our next officers meeting, we’ll have students who attended share about their experiences and lead a training for their peers,” shared SkillsUSA adviser Sharon Myers. The students will also help facilitate the regional leadership conference in December.