SkillsUSA is a student led-organization that meets every Tuesday during advisory and focuses on preparing students for careers in technical and skilled service and trade work occupations. Through hands-on experience, competitions, and leadership training, students are able to gain important skills that help them prepare for their lives after high school.
At MSHS, SkillsUSA has been shaping students’ futures by giving them the opportunity to compete and learn to help them prepare for their lives after high school.
SkillsUSA has been at MSHS for several years, allowing for students to compete in construction, and this year programming, photography, and video game design as well. Construction teacher Brad Borkowski strives to encourage students to develop leadership skills while in SkillsUSA. “My role is mainly just a facilitator,” Borkowski said. “I try to be as hands-off with it as possible because it is supposed to be student-led.”
One opportunity that SkillsUSA presents is the ability for students to use their skills in the real world through competitions. Benjamin Wilks (11) competes in the carpentry area of SkillsUSA “I am the sole carpenter of the competition. I will frame an entire house and try to win—the fastest one wins,” Wilks said.
Competitions require precision, teamwork, confidence and endurance. “Hammering for four hours can definitely make a giant blister on your hand,” Wilks said.
Though the competitions have their challenges, the experiences that students are able to gain from them help build their confidence in their skills.
Griffin Saulsbury, vice president of SkillsUSA at MSHS believes SkillsUSA also prepares students for their lives after high school by promoting leadership skills. “Leadership is a huge part of SkillsUSA. I think it’s just a great opportunity to be able to compete and learn these leadership skills. Even if you’re not into construction, there are so many different competitions you can participate in,” Saulsbury said.
Wilks believes that SkillsUsa is a great opportunity for students looking to gain experience with practical and leadership skills. “If you’re competitive, you can win, and then you can go to nationals pretty quickly,” he said.
SkillsUSA also helps provide students with resume building, job training and community service opportunities. “Hopefully, this program keeps growing, and next year I have some underclassmen who can come through and take over leadership roles,” Borkowski said.
SkillsUSA is continuing to expand this year, with students competing at state level in carpentry, teamwork, video game design, programming and photography for the first time this year.
Whether students are interested in construction, technology, or leadership, SkillsUSA provides valuable experience that extends beyond high school. “Join if you want to become a better leader and learn responsibility skills,” Saulsbury said. “SkillsUSA teaches a lot of real-world skills that you can take with you beyond high school.”
