These kiddos have skills! Nine students will travel three states away to compete as welders, nurses, and in public speaking!
Motivated, hard-working, and enthusiastic are three words to describe this team.
They have already made their state, their community in Western PA, their school, and YOU proud -- working their way through local competition and state competition, but they have earned the chance to continue. They are now ready to represent the state of Pennsylvania at the Skills USA National Championships in Welding Sculpture, Health Occupation Portfolio Presentation, and Opening and Closing.
This is Devin's first time competing at the national level. As a three-year welding sculpture competitor, she has mastered the art of welding, portfolio assembly, and interview skills.
For Brandon, this is his first year in SkillsUSA. Already an accomplished Certified Nursing Assistant, his competition includes creating a portfolio of his accomplishments, presenting his work experiences with a visual aid, and interviewing -- much like he might for a job.
The Opening and Closing team has brought home state gold for four years in a row. For Riley, Ginanna, Alyssa, Trenton, Jaden, Shelby, and Tabby, theirs is a teamwork and oral presentation contest.
My Project
This mighty group of nine has risen to the top of their competitors; they have returned home with gold medals as the "best in the state.
Now, it's time for them to compete against the best of the country, and you can help -- by ensuring that they have a "family dinner" each night -- without electronic devices!
One of the many highlights of this 5-day trip is the opportunity to enjoy "family dinners' with each other. We first instituted this idea four years ago when the first group of students sat down to eat dinner together. The phones came out, and the heads were glued to the screens. There was not talking -- little chance to truly get to know one another.
The advisers quickly put a stop to this: "Okay -- earbuds out, and phones, screen down, in the middle of the table."
You should have seen the looks on their faces, but within five minutes, they were talking, laughing, and interacting -- not with their electronic devices but with each other -- face to face! It was wonderful!
We would like to continue this tradition at nationals -- to give the kids a chance to sit at a table, enjoy a hot meal together, and relax.
On the way home from nationals, we asked the kids "My favorite part of the trip was not the competition or the amusement park or the chance to do a little shopping and sight-seeing," a 2016 competitor remarked," it was the 'family dinners'!" To this, her teammates agreed.
It's sort of amazing to hear that that "family dinners" had such a big impact on the kiddos -- how much it truly means to them.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. McVicker and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.