Kofa teacher named Ariz. Adviser of the Year

Kofa High School teacher Norm Champagne has been named the Skills-USA Adviser of the Year for the state of Arizona.

Champagne has been working with VICA/Skills-USA, which is part of the Career and Technical Education program, for 35 years, raising up numerous regional, state and national officers for the organization. He has overseen the expansion of Kofa’s chapter of the organization from 100 to more than 700 student members, and Kofa recently received the “Chapter of Distinction” award for the fourth year in a row.

“I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award than Mr. Champagne,” said Kofa Principal Mike Sharp. “He has a way of bringing the best out of everyone. He is a leader of leaders on campus with a strong, dynamic vision for the CTE department.”

This year has been an exceptional year for Champagne and Kofa’s Skills-USA team, winning 35 of the 51 medals secured by YUHSD at the state competition in Phoenix, April 2-6, and having 16 students advancing to the national competition.

According the Skills-USA, the program is “a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. Skills-USA helps each student excel. We provide educational programs, events and competitions that support career and technical education (CTE) in the nation’s classrooms.” Skills-USA currently serves more than 335,000 students and instructors nationwide.

PHOTO COURTESY OF YUMA UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT KOFA HIGH SCHOOL’S NORM CHAMPAGNE (RIGHT) DISCUSSES an event with Cibola High School Principal Tim Brienza during the SkillsUSA Arizona state competition April 3. Champagne, who has been involved in VICA/SkillsUSA for 35 years, was named Adviser of the...