SkillsUSA cleans up at conference

By Jennifer Grybowski
Turley Publications Reporter

STURBRIDGE - The Tantasqua Regional High School (TRHS) SkillsUSA Chapter cleaned up during the SkillsUSA Fall Leadership Conference held Nov. 22-24 at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel in Marlborough, even though the fledgling chapter was only created last year.
The following Tantasqua SkillsUSA officers attended and earned Outstanding Leadership Achievement: President Chloe Ferrarone, a senior computer technology student from Brookfield; Vice President Michael Zollo, a senior allied health student from Brimfield; Ambassador Tyler Latour, a junior drafting/CAD student from Brookfield; Secretary Jamie Spidle, a senior manufacturing student from Sturbridge; Treasurer Edward Murphy, a senior electrical student from Rochdale; Reporter Jessica Shannon, a sophomore carpentry student from Brookfield; and Ambassador Elizabeth Treantafel, a junior culinary student from Leicester.
In individual team competitions, Zollo won a second place silver medal in community service; Latour won a second place silver medal in total quality management; and Spidle won a first place gold medal in R3 (Reuse, Reduce, Recycle).
In overall total team quality, Zollo and Shannon both won first place; Spidle won second place; Murphy won third place; Treantafel won fourth place; Ferraone won fifth place; and Latour won sixth place.
The students participated in workshops, team-building activities, written tests and projects. The Tantasqua students were divided up, and each student was assigned to a group that had a different task to tackle in time for a competition at the end of the conference. There were also some social events, including a dance and a talent show.
“We were busy from when we walked into the door until we left,” Spidle said.
Spidle said she thought the best thing about the conference was spending time with her classmates.
“You’re with people you don’t know,” she said. “Everyone met some new friends. Through all the work, everyone became close.”
Latour said he learned how to network.
“It made me more easily social with people,” he said.
That’s just the type of skill Tantasqua SkillsUSA Chapter Advisor and CAD/Drafting Instructor Raymond Vallee said is important.
“They are learning how to make connections throughout the community and the state,” he said. “They are learning how to use that network.”
Shannon, who was assigned to the R3 (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) project, said she enjoyed it because she had some experience going in – her mother is in the process if making their home more green. For their project, the students had to invent something that promoted SkillsUSA and utilized the R3 concept. Her team made a reusable bag that can actually charge your cell phone.
“We all put our heads together and came up with a really good thing,” Shannon said.
Vallee said he is pleased that the chapter, which only began last year, is thriving.
“I think when you have officers that want to come back, it helps,” he said. “We’re able to put a blend of students together. And it’s important to have an advisor that lets them know their input is important.”
According to its Web site, the Fall State Leadership Conference is designed for chapter advisors and chapter officers, to help them build strong chapters back at their schools. Participants at the conference undergo intensive leadership training in areas such as communication skills, group dynamics and employability skills, while having opportunities to become involved in the SkillsUSA Professional Development Program, earn a Skills USA Massachusetts Leader Award and learn more about SkillsUSA’s various programs.
SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations. It was formerly known as VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America). Its mission is to help its members become world-class workers and responsible American citizens. SkillsUSA is an applied method of learning where students practice skills and build self-confidence while helping their schools and communities.
For more information, visit www.maskillsusa.org.