SkillsUSA, a CTE student organization, prepares students for life outside of high school by fostering the development of workplace, personal, and technical skills. This year the Prosper High School chapter of SkillsUSA will collaborate with the Walnut Grove High School chapter, creating one combined chapter that will host collaborative meetings.
The next meeting will be Sept. 18 in the PHS LGI (Large Group Instruction Room). The one after that will be Oct. 16 in the WGHS LGI.
“I see a slight challenge in coordinating between the schools for equal meetings, and when we get together for district and state trips,” sponsor and WGHS teacher Daniel Geiter said. “We are also learning about some interesting challenges on the back end to set up the organization district-wide.”
The PHS SkillsUSA chapter formed two years ago. At the beginning, the organization only had about four people. Following the initial introduction, the organization grew exponentially. During the second year of SkillsUSA, the chapter quadrupled in size.
“We’re expecting the SkillsUSA chapter to grow even larger this year once the word gets out – and members begin to invite their friends to join,” PHS sponsor Stephanie Riley said. “There’s also all kinds of industry connections that students can make by being a part of Skills. They can find out more about the careers they want to go into. It looks great on a resume as well.”
According to Riley, students can learn specific skills through the organization.
“During my time in SkillsUSA, one of the skills I learned a lot about was 3D printing.” Riley said. “I worked with Mr. Geiter on 3D printing and spent time in the 3D printing labs here at PHS. We got to experiment with all kinds of 3D printing capabilities.”
Junior Puranjay Prashanth said the group has helped by allowing him to compete in 3D printing and giving him various opportunities for hand-ons practice.
“You should just try it,” Prashanth said. “There’s nothing wrong with trying it. It’s just a competition. It can be fun. It can always be fun.”
SkillsUSA offers well over 100 skilled events. These range from personal to technical skills, and then students can compete with the skills they learn.
“So you can go ahead and try it, ” Prashanth said. “You don’t have to win. It’s an experience. You’re going to learn so much through it. And next year, you may choose a different field to go into, and you might excel.”
Junior Ashley Lane said she focused on a different event.
“During my time in SkillsUSA I competed in additive manufacturing, making it to state freshman and sophomore years.” Lane said. “I also really enjoyed the sense of teamwork and camaraderie between all members.”
Lane said in addition to competing in additive manufacturing, she also enjoyed the sense of community.
“SkillsUSA has helped me make an applicable resume,” Lane said, “which allowed me to get two jobs involving hands-on engineering and problem-solving.”
According to members, the organization also helps students gain leadership experience.
“This year I got elected the PHS chapter president despite it being my first year doing SkillsUSA,” sophomore Miriam Kassem said. “I hope to use my experiences being president in other clubs in order to contribute to SkillsUSA.”
Kassem said she hopes others follow her lead.
“As for others who want to run for president, despite it being your first year doing a club, I think that you shouldn’t feel limited by what experience you currently have,” she said. ” And, just do it.”
