By: Kaleigh Frederick
SkillsUSA Student Reporter
Fall Leadership Monday, November 17th:
SkillsUSA Fall Leadership held at the BSC National Energy Center Excellence, on Monday, November 17th, 2025, is a statewide event designed to help student members build the foundational skills they need to lead effectively within their chapters and future careers. During this conference, students participate in hands-on workshops, team-building activities, and leadership development sessions focused on communication, professionalism, and goal setting. They also learn more about SkillsUSA’s mission, framework, and officer roles, while networking with peers from across the state. Overall, Fall Leadership equips students with confidence, career-ready skills, and a clearer understanding of how to contribute meaningfully to their chapter and community. SWCTE took 25 students; 3 of them were state officers (Alyssa Lehman, Taylor Murphy, and Elijah Ricks). Our guest speaker was Patty Hendrickson, a motivational speaker from La Crosse, WI.
Vitalant Blood Drive Friday, December 12th:
SkillsUSA is a student-led organization dedicated to bridging the skills gap, preparing students with workplace skills, allowing opportunities for career exploration, and giving students opportunities to expand their leadership skills. As part of SkillsUSA, members must complete a specified amount of community service; an opportunity to fulfill that requirement was to hold a blood drive. SWCTE’s SkillsUSA held a blood drive with Vitalant on Friday, December 12th.To say the blood drive was successful is an understatement. As an organization, SkillsUSA had a goal for 27 donors…they beat their goal with 33 donors in one day. Because of generous donors, about 99 lives can now be saved. Skills members came ready to work and even donate. In the days leading up to the drive, students volunteered their time to work in the kitchen with Chef Wehner (SWCTE culinary arts teacher), baking goods to sell at the blood drive as a fundraiser. Not only was the bake sale a success but helped to raise a little extra money to help fund Skills competitions. On the day of the drive, there were multiple students who donated blood as well. SkillsUSA puts on the blood drive, with the help of Vitalant, annually, and advertises on their Instagram, Facebook, and flyers.
