On the Hill
Area students get leadership training in D.C.
Nearly 100 Career & Technical Education (CTE) students from Yuma Union High School District met with Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake and nine representatives in Washington, D.C.
A YUHSD news release states that the visit was part of SkillsUSA’s Washington Leadership Training Institute (WLTI). SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry “working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce,” the organization’s website shows.
During the visit, officials with the district say the delegation also paid respects at the Tomb of the Unknowns, or sites dedicated to U.S. service members who have died without their remains being identified.
YUHSD sent members of various CTE student organizations from all five comprehensive high schools.
“My time during the Washington Leadership Training Institute is definitely something that I will never forget,” said Gila Ridge High School student Andrew Bilky in a statement.
Bilky finished second at SkillsUSA nationals in impromptu speaking over the summer.
“Not only was I able to learn about professionalism, and the values of good work, but I also got to learn a lot about myself and meet some amazing people,” he said. “From the big things like meeting, speaking to, and shaking hands with one of my state representatives, to the small things like meeting all of the other people from different states and different schools in my own state, I feel have changed me for the rest of my life. The thing that affected me the most was the changing of the guard ceremony, and the wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It was such an amazing display of respect and honor that I will never forget.”
The YUHSD release stated that the five-day WLTI is sponsored each year by SkillsUSA to provide students an opportunity to learn about Washington, D.C.; how to effectively communicate with their legislative representatives; and about personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics.
“This year’s delegations discussed the value of public career and technical education to their respective states; the quality of their education and training; their occupational plans; and, the benefits of their participation in SkillsUSA,” YUHSD officials said. “They explained that today’s workplace requires people with (CTE skills) to participate in high-quality systems. SkillsUSA has been successful in developing these skills in students of all ages and backgrounds.”
Part of the WLTI is to teach students about impact as well.
“Beyond the training that they receive, the trip really helped students gain a broader understanding of the impact they can have on their community,” YUHSD CTE Director Lorie Honeycutt said in a statement. “It crosses boundaries and demographics. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, you are able to make a difference.”
YUHSD officials said a delegation of 99 CTE students left Yuma on Sept. 20 and returned Sept. 26.
“Overall, WLTI concentrates on advanced leadership and communications skills, including giving students an opportunity to share their personal stories with legislative representatives with a theme of ‘Take it Home,’ meaning that students were encouraged, as Honeycutt mentioned, to adopt what they learn and apply it to their home community,” YUHSD officials said.
Additionally, the YUHSD news release showed that this year, more than 500 students and instructors from 27 states attended the leadership conference.
“The group from YUHSD was the largest sent in the district’s history,” YUHSD officials noted. “There were more (than) 130 students from the state of Arizona in attendance, 76 percent of which were from a YUHSD school.”