Amazing ComebacksDriven to Succeed

WINTER 2015

championsSkillsUSA

50 ways to win!experts respondwith contest tips

how underdogstake the gold

making history with middle schools

industry changes50 years

in the future

WHAT

CHAMPION?DOES IT TAKE

TO BE A

STANDARDS

2015-2016 SkillsUSA ChampionshipsTechnical Standards BookOrder the book for $35.95at www.lulu.com

2015-2016 SkillsUSA ChampionshipsTechnical Standards CD-ROM PackageOrder the CD-ROM package for $19.95 online at: www.skillsusa.org/store/technicalstandards.html

2015 SkillsUSA Championships, Louisville, Ky., June 23 to 26

4 SkillsUSAChampionsWinter2015

SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA’s Official Magazine14001SkillsUSAWay,Leesburg,VA20176-5494703-777-8810•www.skillsusa.org

Magazine Staff/Office Of PublicatiOnSTomHall,DirectorAnnSchreiber,Associate Director, CommunicationsCraigMoore,Manager, Web/TechnologyTomKercheval,Manager, Audiovisual Technology/

Communications

Office Of the executive DirectOrTimLawrence,Executive DirectorSandraMoore,Administrative Assistant

aDMiniStratiOn anD financeKimGraham,DirectorKeithAshby,Manager, Educational Resources/

National CenterMelissaWilson,Manager, Human ResourcesRoxanneHodge,Customer Service Representative

buSineSS PartnerShiPS anD DevelOPMentKellyPersons,DirectorDaveWorden, Program Director, SkillsUSA

ChampionshipsChristenBattaglia, Program Manager, Corporate

and Campaign DevelopmentKarenBeatty,Program Manager, Business Partner-

ships and DevelopmentJimKregiel, Program Manager, SkillsUSA

Championships

cOMMunicatiOnS anD gOvernMent relatiOnSTomHoldsworth,Associate Executive DirectorJaneShort,Program Manager

eDucatiOn, training anD aSSeSSMentSMarshaDaves,DirectorHeidiWalsh,Program Director, Programs and Grant

ManagementNikiClausen,Associate Director, TrainingShellyCoates,Associate Director, Conference

Management ServicesStephanieBland,Program SpecialistAshleyRidgeway,Program Specialist, Conference

Management Services

Marketing, MeMberShiP anD SaleSKellyHorton,DirectorJudyGarrison,Senior Manager, Membership ServicesSusanTrent,Program Manager, Member ServicesPattyDuncan,Program Manager, Work Force Ready

System and Member Services

kanSaS city Office • 816-691-3827ByekwasoGilbert,Program Manager, Alumni

aDvertiSing rePreSentativeS fOr SkillSuSa chaMPiOnSConstellationEnterprisesInc.53MainSt./P.O.Box508,CherryValley,NY13320607-264-9069

championsSkillsUSA

bOarD Of DirectOrSBrentKindred (Wisconsin)MichaeldeCastro(Air Products)ChrisArvin (Caterpillar University)JamesKing(Tennessee)DaveMilliken(Utah)PeggyTorrens(Kansas)CharlesWallace(Maryland)AlexGromada(Association for Career and Technical

Education)KathyMannes(American Association of Community

Colleges)JenniferPolz(SkillsUSA State Directors Association)ScottStump(National Association of State Directors

of Career and Technical Education Consortium)TroyDally(Lowe’s Companies Inc.)LaurieHackett(Air Products)RussHoffbauer(State Farm Insurance Companies)ChrisTesmer(Newell Rubbermaid)

natiOnal StuDent OfficerS/aDviSOrSHigH ScHoolAhmadShawwal/TimothyMcLeod(Virginia)DaltonCrump/ElizabethCrump(North Carolina)StephanieWilburn/ToddAnderson(Oklahoma)RobertGomez/JoeValdez(Texas)AntonioVargas/LauraVelez(Connecticut)TaylorMackie/SheilaFox(Massachusetts)BenjaminMiller/Lauren-AnneSledzinski(Virginia)MatthewCarder/DeborahLuellen(Ohio)AnastasiaHawkins/JordanBedhart(Texas)SummerDiegel/EricCroft(Montana)

college/PoStSecondaryBrookeJohnson/JamesCarter(North Carolina)QuinelNabors/JoanneEdley(Tennessee)DarlenneHelena/ThomasThoss(Florida)ShaneMorrison/RylandStonehocker(Oklahoma)AlexBruin/MichelleMartinez(Arizona)

SkillsUSA champions onlineVisittheSkillsUSAChampions“e-zine”versionatwww.skillsusa.org/champions/ toflipthrougharticles,viewvideosandextraphotosandgetupdates.You’llfindarchivesofpastissues,adver-tiserlinks,lessonplansfornewissues,andmore.

Seeevenmorechampionsonourfrequentlyupdatedwebsite,www.skillsusa.org,aswellas:

Volume 49, No. 2SkillsUSAChampions(ISSN1040-4538)ispublishedfourtimesperschoolyear—Fall(October/November),Winter(December/January),Spring(February/March)andSummer(April/May)—bySkillsUSAInc.at14001SkillsUSAWay,Leesburg,VA20176.PeriodicalspostagepaidatLeesburg,VA,andatadditionalmailingoffices.Copyright2015bySkillsUSA.Allrightsreserved.Nonmembersubscriptions:$15peryear(SkillsUSAmembers,$1.30paidwithduesoraffiliationfees).

POSTMASTER:SendaddresscorrectionstoSkillsUSAChampions,Attn.:JudyGarrison,14001SkillsUSAWay,Leesburg,VA20176.

ThenamesSkillsUSA,SkillsUSAChampionshipsandSkillsUSAChampions;theSkillsUSA:ChampionsatWorkslogan;andtheSkillsUSAlogo,emblemandsloganartareallregisteredtrade-marksofSkillsUSAInc.Allrightsarereserved,andpermissionmustbegrantedbythenationalheadquartersofSkillsUSApriortoanyuse.

Inkeepingwithatraditionofrespectfortheindividualityofourmembersandourroleinworkforcedevelopment,SkillsUSAstrivestoensureinclusiveparticipationinallofourprograms,partnershipsandemploymentopportunities.

champions

PublicationTitle:SkillsUSAChampions.PublicationNo.:1040-4538.FilingDate:10/1/14.IssueFrequency:Fall(October/Novem-ber),Winter(December/January),Spring(February/March),Sum-mer(April/May).No.ofIssuesPublishedAnnually:four.AnnualSubscriptionPrice:$1.30forSkillsUSAmembersaspartofdues;$15peryearfornonmembers.MailingAddressofKnownOfficeofPublication:14001SkillsUSAWay,Leesburg,VA20176-5494(LoudounCounty).ContactPerson:E.ThomasHall,703-777-8810,Ext.626.MailingAddressofHeadquarters:same.Publisher:SkillsUSAInc.,sameaddress.Editor:E.ThomasHall,sameaddress.Owner:SkillsUSAInc.,14001SkillsUSAWay,Leesburg,VA20176.KnownBondholders,MortgageesandOtherSecurityHolders:none.Thepurpose,functionandnonprofitstatusofthisorganizationandtheexemptstatusforfederalincometaxpurposeshasnotchangedduringthepreceding12months.IssueDateforCirculationData:Fall2014.ExtentandNatureofCirculation:AverageNo.CopiesEachIssueDuringPreceding12Months,190,875;No.CopiesofSingleIssuePublishedNearesttoFilingDate,233,000.LegitimatePaidand/orRequestedCircula-tion—Outside-CountyPaid/RequestedMailSubscriptions

StatedonPSForm3541:average,186,300;issue,228,375;In-CountyPaid/RequestedMailSubscriptionsStatedonPSForm3541:average,none;issue,none;SalesThroughDealersandCar-riers,StreetVendors,CounterSalesandOtherPaidorRequestedDistributionOutsideUSPS:average,none;issue,none;RequestedCopiesDistributedbyOtherMailClassesThroughtheUSPS:average,none;issue,none.TotalPaidand/orRequestedDistribution:average,186,300;issue,228,375.NonrequestedDis-tribution—Outside-CountyNonrequestedCopiesStatedonPSForm3541:average,2,595;issue,2,545;In-CountyNonrequestedCopiesIncludedonPSForm3541:average,none;issue,none;NonrequestedCopiesDistributedThroughtheUSPSbyOtherClassesofMail:average,none;issue,none.NonrequestedCopiesDistributedOutsidetheMail:average,none;issue,none.TotalNonrequestedDistribution:average,2,595;issue,2,545.TotalDis-tribution:average,188,895;issue,230,920.CopiesNotDistrib-uted:average,1,980;issue,2,080.Total:average,190,875;issue,233,000.PercentPaidand/orRequestedCirculation:average,99%;issue,99%.Icertifythatallinformationfurnishedonthisformistrueandcomplete.E.ThomasHall,Editor.

U.S. Postal Service Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation

Winter2015SkillsUSAChampions 5

asktim

A Shining Standard

Q&AExecutive Director Tim Lawrence has known SkillsUSA as a student member, instructor, industry partner and state director. Got a question? He can help.

Q: Celebrations are great, but how can a focus on SkillsUSA’s 50th

anniversary help me and my school?Tim: When people celebrate 50 years, they call it a golden anniversary. Throughout time, gold has been a symbol of optimism and security. A gold standard is considered the best, most reliable or most prestigious. Such standards have helped propel SkillsUSA to success over its five decades. We are known in the halls of Congress, in the White House and by the leaders of our nation’s largest and most powerful corpo-rations. As with the national champion-ships, your local or regional SkillsUSA competitions can help draw attention to the important work you are doing. Get your chapter’s public relations committee involved early. Once dates are on the calendar, invite parents, the public and local news media to come and view the competitions. When preparing a news release about your local events, your PR committee can highlight the 50th anni-versary of the organization. We have lots of resources online at our newly expanded www.skillsusa.org. We’d love to see your 50th anniversary celebrations, so send us your stories and photos. The gold medal is the top honor in our SkillsUSA Championships, and it has lured many a student to work harder than ever before in pursuit of winning one.

In this issue of SkillsUSA Champions, our annual competition guide provides great tips for doing well at every level. Even when our winners find obstacles in their way, striving to succeed helps them set a gold standard for themselves. There’s the story of one student who, despite switch-ing careers, ultimately earned a national gold medal and a new Corvette for his school. You’ll also read about the national TeamWorks champions — students who lived up to 100 miles apart but found ways to join together and become the best. While visionary, our founding group of 200 educators and students in 1965 probably never imagined SkillsUSA would expand to more than 300,000 annual members. We’ve touched lives around the world, and our impact continues to grow. This 50th anniversary reminds me that most great things in life come after years of work. There’s an old Japanese proverb that sums up success beautifully: “Fall down seven times, get up eight.” Go for the gold standard in your personal life as well as in your education. Stand up one more time than you fall down, and you will be a winner. •Got questions about SkillsUSA or other topics? Email anyinfo@skillsusa.org or send a letter to the address on the facing page. Put “Ask Tim” in the subject line or mail address.

6 SkillsUSAChampionsWinter2015

what’snew

SMaking SkillsUSA’s

Voice Heard InternationallyDuring an extraordinary 10-day

speaking tour in Kazakhstan, the ninth-largest country in the world, Execu-tive Director Tim Lawrence brought SkillsUSA’s model of career and technical education to a nation eager to build one all its own. Kazakhstan is working to modern-ize its vocational education system, and SkillsUSA was specifically chosen by the U.S. Department of State as an American

template the Kazakhs could learn from. “The agenda was packed every day,” says Lawrence. “I was in every region and visited 14 of the 80 colleges where vocational programs are taught. It was a great opportunity to pursue our goal of making SkillsUSA an internationally recognized leader in workforce education and employment readiness.” For more, visit: www.skillsusa.org/executive-directors-report-november-1-2014/. •

Lawrence (right) accepts a gift of

traditional Kazakh garb during a meeting with one of the many college

directors he visited over the course of his whirlwind speaking tour of Kazakhstan.

killsUSA turns 50 this May (a fact you should know by now). Many wonderful things will

be celebrated on that day, including SkillsUSA’s ongoing legacy of support-ing healthy and vibrant communities through direct community service. The SkillsUSA Alumni and Friends Association created the SkillsUSA 50K Challenge to help make that celebration even more special. The goal of the chal-lenge is to track 50,000 hours of service from now through June 26 to help underscore SkillsUSA’s commitment to helping others. To learn more about the challenge, register and log your own hours, visit: www.SkillsUSAService.org. •

Challenging the Urge to Serve

Winter2015SkillsUSAChampions 7

what’snew

Soldiers prepare to lay a wreath presented by SkillsUSA on the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.

If you want the latest piece of evidence that SkillsUSA is still in the

midst of a heavy growth spurt, look no further than the recent Washington Leadership Training Institute. The 2014 WLTI was easily the biggest in history, with 396 attendees represent-ing 30 states and Puerto Rico. At WLTI, held in September each year, SkillsUSA student leaders and advisors come together in the nation’s capital for a week of intensive leader-ship and advocacy training. Other activities include a visit to SkillsUSA’s headquarters, tours of area landmarks and museums, presentations from guest speakers and more. The highlight of the week comes when students make face-to-face visits with their state representatives on Capitol Hill to lobby for SkillsUSA. This year, student delegations met in the offices of 32 senators, 90 represen-tatives and one resident commissioner. The 123 total visits were the most in the conference’s history. For more, visit: www.skillsusa.org/events-training/washington-leadership-training-institute/. •

FALL INSTITUTE RAISES THE BARFOR LEADERSHIP

Each one of SkillsUSA’s national conferences is special, but this year’s will be even more so. Why? For one, we’ll be celebrating the organiza-tion’s 50th birthday (like we said on the previous page, a fact you should know by now). For two, we’ll be back in Louisville, Ky., for the first time since 1993. An extra special conference demands an extra special pin and T-shirt design, and SkillsUSA just happens to have a handy competi-tion to determine the best for each. It’s open to all dues-paying members, and all entries must be received by Feb. 1. For full details, visit: www.skillsusa.org/competitions/pin-design-contest/. •

Designing a 50-year Celebration

A casual wayto formally showSkillsUSA pride

Celebrating 50 years of SkillsUSA doesn’t just mean remembering the

past; it also means taking charge of the future. Current SkillsUSA members can be the first in history to own the brand-new “Proud to Work, Proud to Wear” official black jacket from Carhartt. It’s one-of-a-kind, versatile for year-round wear, made in the USA and can be personally embroidered just for you. Now don’t be confused; the black jacket is not replacing the official red blazer, which is the ultimate symbol of SkillsUSA membership. It is, however, replacing the red windbreaker, which will be retired from SkillsUSA’s clothing line but will continue to be recognized as official attire. Reserve your black jacket today at: www.skillsusa.org/skillsusa-black-jacket/. •

Phot

o:C

raig

E.M

oore

8 SkillsUSAChampionsWinter2015

I N S I D E R ’ S G U I D E T O C H A M P I O N S H I P S

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of SkillsUSA’s founding, we’ve collected the top 50 tips from the technical experts behind the national championships. What’s changed in the rules? What’s the key to winning? The responses, as they say, are golden.

By Craig E. Moore

1Readtherules. That sort of seems obvious, but you might be surprised to find out how many people really don’t take the time to both read and understand the rules of their contest. Each year, when the staff of SkillsUSA Champions asks our

technical committee chairs what it takes to win, that’s the single most frequent response. There are rule changes in many of the contests, too. The 2015-2016 SkillsUSA Cham-pionships Technical Standards was just published this fall. According to Dave Worden, director of the SkillsUSA Championships, every compet-itor should have the latest version of the technical standards to compete effectively in his or her contest. “There have been changes to 50 percent of the contests in the new technical standards manual. Some of them are minor and some are extensive, but a competitor needs the latest manual to be competitive,” Worden says. You can purchase the technical standards either as a CD-ROM or in the traditional book format. The CD version also includes a second disc with many of the projects from the 2014 national competition. Don’t need every contest? You can purchase the rules, and in many cases last year’s project, as a Contest Single. See SkillsUSA’s online store for specifics of how to order: www.skillsusa.org/store/. Regarding rules, it’s important to read prior to competition the updates located at: www.skillsusa.org/competitions/skillsusa-championships/contest-updates/. Bookmark this Web page and check in regularly. Several competition updates have already been posted for 2015. These will continue through the end of May.

Winter2015SkillsUSAChampions 9

2InGraphicCommunications,there will be more focus on digital press

output. Offset press will still be a part of the contest but in a different scale. KIP JARRETT, HEIDELBERG USA (GRAPHIC COMMUNICATIONS)

3Electronicprepress and digital workflow (preflight) will be merged

into one contest area versus two contest areas, creating a true digital workflow. JARRETT (GRAPHIC COMMUNICATIONS)

4Learnto pronounce words correctly! For example, “our” versus “are.”

LISA ROMEISER, EASTERN MONROE CAREER CENTER, NEW YORK (OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONIES)

5Worksafely and follow the proce-dures. The information needed to

complete the station is available at each station.CHAD ESTLE, TRAVEL CENTERS OF AMERICA (DIESEL EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY)

6Contest eligibility has been expanded to includetheProjectLeadtheWay

program.SCOTT WATSON, HUNTER HIGH SCHOOL, UTAH (PRINCIPLES OF ENGINEERING/TECHNOLOGY)

7The key advice is the same every year: Knowthephysics of how the item

works and have a great presentation on it. WATSON (PRINCIPLES OF ENGINEERING/TECHNOLOGY)

8Knowbasiccircuitry and EMT conduit bending, and practice taking

verbal instructions. GREG RACHAL, POPS ELECTRIC LLC (ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION WIRING)

9Aneyefordetail is a must.RACHAL (ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION WIRING)

10Comepreparedwith the proper test equipment (Oscope and multi-

meter) and soldering tools. KEVIN GULLIVER, NIDA CORP. (ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY)

11Practicetroubleshooting. GULLIVER (ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY)

12Wehaveanewname. We are now Information Technology Services

(formerly Computer Maintenance Tech-nology). CHRIS SESSA, CARDIOVASCULAR CONSULTANTS (INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES)

13A larger emphasis has been placed on networkingandsecurity. These

parallels are present already in curriculum but not covered in the classroom to the depth that is required.SESSA (INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES)

14Be prepared to followdirections. Be willing to work with something

you have not seen before. That is the nature of this industry.SESSA (INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES)

15InFirstAid/CPR,contes-

tants may wear leather or canvas white shoes.GLENN HAAGAR, IN-HOUSE PC SERVICES LLC (FIRST AID/CPR)

16Contestants must provide a copyofcertification at the orientation

meeting. HAAGAR (FIRST AID/CPR)

17Practicethe nationalcontestprojects over and over again.

BRYAN LIGHT, BRICK INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (MASONRY)

18Please use the samejudgingcriteria that is used at the nationals

to grade your work. LIGHT (MASONRY)

19If you do not have copiesoftheprojects and criteria, you are

welcome to email the chairman of the national Masonry technical committee at blight@bia.org.

LIGHT (MASONRY)

20As far as technical standards are concerned, there were no

real changes for this manual. We have, however, redesignedthescoringsheets for the 2015 competition.ROBERT WITTE, NAVAJO TECHNICAL COLLEGE (RESTAURANT SERVICE)

21Usethebook reference to be better prepared for what the updates

might bring.WITTE (RESTAURANT SERVICE)

22Webnewsarticles are now accepted under the new guidelines.

Every contestant (one from the team) will be interviewed this year.BILL MANN, FLORIDA (OUTSTANDING CHAPTER)

23Every contestant willbeinter-viewed this year. Select a good

interviewer to represent the team.MANN (OUTSTANDING CHAPTER)

24Advisorsshould readand help

students to understand the instructions.

MANN (OUTSTANDING CHAPTER)

25Do not be nervous.

BOB MIKELL, CARRIER CORP. (HEATING, VENTILATION,

AIR CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION)

Photos:LloydWolf

FAST TRACK:SUCCESS

FAST TRACK:SUCCESS

Johnson & Wales University admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin, among other categories. admissions.jwu.edu/apply

Separate yourself from the competition through direct interaction with many of today’s business leaders at Johnson & Wales University. Apply today. Your fast track awaits.

26MedicalAssistingcompetitors should be prepared to talk to the

patient, even if it is a manikin. Patient education is stressed.DIANA KENDRICK, SOUTHERN CRESCENT TECHNICAL COLLEGE (MEDICAL ASSISTING)

27Practice andbeprepared forsterile

technique. If you break it, state the break and what you would do to fix it.

KENDRICK (MEDICAL ASSISTING)

28Treat the contest as if it were a real-lifesituation. Each

component is something you may have already encountered in your practicum.KENDRICK (MEDICAL ASSISTING)

29Be sure to addressthetheme.JOHN SCOTT, GEORGIA (CHAPTER DISPLAY)

30Design and construct chapter displays that involveanumber

ofstudents from different occupational/academic programs.SCOTT (CHAPTER DISPLAY)

31Chapter Displaychangesareonlineat: http://tinyurl.com/k6vbdds.

SCOTT (CHAPTER DISPLAY)

32The 2015-16 technical standards now allow the use of any wireless

camera to be mounted on the robot. The old standards restricted the camera to the 900 MHz SecurityMan IR camera and receiver.ALAN KIRBY, PITSCO EDUCATION (ROBOTICS: URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE)

33Polished,organized and complete engineering notebooks are key to

performing well in this competition.KIRBY (ROBOTICS: URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE)

34In the past,we’ve always chosen between a portrait or commercial

product shot. In 2015, we plantodoboth. BILL CHENAILLE, ACADEMY FOR MEDIA PRODUCTION (PHOTOGRAPHY)

35Be sure you have practiced and are able to readthedrawingsand

details for the contest.KENT GILCHRIST, FREMONT INTERIORS (CABINETMAKING)

36Make sure the bulletinboarduses interchangeable pieces. While we

applaud the use of interactive items such as a tear-off calendar when the board is in use, it’s recommended to create a static interchangeable piece for the contest, explaining to judges how the piece is used.GAY KETCHUM, GORDON COOPER TECHNOLOGY CENTER (PROMOTIONAL BULLETIN BOARD)

37We are providing more equipment and have addedspotwelding in

the welding phase of the competition.DARRELL ANDREWS, STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANIES (COLLISION REPAIR TECHNOLOGY)

38Practice your trade. If there are things you are unsure of or do not

understand, askyourinstructor to help clarify what you don’t understand. Do your own research on the process to get a better understanding. ANDREWS (COLLISION REPAIR TECHNOLOGY)

39Always bemindful of your safetypractices. They are very important

and judged throughout the competition.ANDREWS (COLLISION REPAIR TECHNOLOGY)

The last graduation cap they’ll ever need.Give your students the advantage by introducing the same learning

series our John Deere technicians use in their Ɵrst year on the

job. John Deere Publishing offers Ɵve comprehensive series of

educational curricula covering agribusiness management practices,

agricultural machinery operation, and equipment maintenance.

Written in simple language instruction with detailed and easy-to-

follow illustrations, these books give students clear demonstrations

for greater understanding and retention. Our textbooks will

help students to think and analyze, enabling them to become

better technicians or machine operators of large and small

equipment. For more information visit us at

www.JohnDeere.com/publications.

Phot

o:Ll

oyd

Wol

f

40The Archi-tectural

Drafting contest seeks problem-solvingabilities, not just knowing how to use the software.THOMAS BENDORF, LMH ARCHITECTURE LLC (ARCHITECTURAL DRAFTING)

41Audiolevelis the most important thing. Sound quality and target

audience are a close second.PAUL CHIACCHIERINI, ACADEMY FOR MEDIA PRODUCTION (AUDIO/RADIO PRODUCTION)

42Whereindustry standards have been updated, so too have our

Telecommunications Cabling standards.TERESA MAHER, ELECTRONICS TECHNICIANS ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL (TELECOMMUNICATIONS CABLING)

43Watch for more fiberoptics, Ethernet-related standards and

National Electrical Code changes.MAHER (TELECOMMUNICATIONS CABLING)

44The contestantswill find errors

in WAN and LAN networks, do an ISP configuration using routers and switches, talk a technician through an

error they are having on their network, and take an

online, certification-type test. BOB SCHOENHERR, CISCO NETWORKING

(INTERNETWORKING)

45 The national contest is based on the most current CCNA certifica-

tion. There are now eightCCNAcertifica-tions of which the contestant needs to have a base knowledge, all the way from the data center to the AP on a smart-phone. SCHOENHERR (INTERNETWORKING)

46Always check with your instructor to see what changes have occurred

in CCNA and Microsoft Server configu-rations. Use this linkforCCNA: http://tinyurl.com/cq7xd6n SCHOENHERR (INTERNETWORKING)

47Worksafely,work as quickly as possible, and double-check your

work.JOHN MASARICK, INDEPENDENT ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR (INDUSTRIAL MOTOR CONTROL)

48 Everyone beontime for the contestant meeting. Make sure

you have all members present. When interviewed, all three take part.CARL CREASMAN, CREASMAN CONSULTING (CAREER PATHWAYS SHOWCASE)

49Prepare for your presentation, and make sure you use what you have

learned in school. Readingthedrawingscorrectly is critical.JIM BOHN, BOSCH TOOL CORP. (TEAMWORKS)

50Followtheinstructions.

(Worth repeating!)FLOYD MCWILLIAMS, AMERICAN DESIGN DRAFTING ASSOCIATION (TECHNICAL DRAFTING)

Visit: http://tinyurl.com/Insiders2015 for more tips from the contest experts. •

12 SkillsUSAChampionsWinter2015

SkillsUSA Official Jacket Show your SkillsUSA Pride — Get your versatile, one-of-a-kind jacket personalized just for you.

Discover more at ProudtoWearSkillsUSA.comRefer to the SkillsUSA state and national technical standards for guidelines on appropriate competition attire.

M A D EIN THE USA

CREATED BY:

SkillsUSA Winter HP Ad alt.indd 1 10/16/14 3:02 PM

In2015,SkillsUSAwillmarkits50thanniversary.Weaskedthetechnicalexpertshowtheirindus-trieshavechangedmostoverthepast50years—andwhattheirSkillsUSAcompetitionmightbecovering50yearsfromnow.(Seemoreonlineat:http://tinyurl.com/Insiders2015)

GRAPHICCOMMUNICATIONS

MIKE STINNETT

DIESELEQUIPMENTTECHNOLOGY

JEFFERY BRYSON AND CHAD ESTLE

PRINCIPLESOFENGINEERING/

TECHNOLOGY SCOTT WATSON

ELECTRICALCONSTRUCTION

WIRINGGREG RACHAL

HEATING,VENTILATION,AIRCONDITIONING

ANDREFRIGERATION BOB MIKELL

INFORMATIONTECHNOLOGYSERVICES

CHRIS SESSA

The end of letterpress and the removal of design pasteups, cameras and stripping, and the addi-tion of computers, digital presses, cell phones, Web design and multimedia.

More electronics than ever, new fuels and exhaust after-treatment. In the next 50, it will be alternative fuels and hybrids. Diesel equipment is becoming as electronically driven as automotive.

Chalkboards were replaced 15 years ago by whiteboards, and these were recently replaced by Smart-board/LCD projection equipment. The technology trend has just begun in education.

The electrical industry has evolved from a screw-driver, hammer and wire cutters to using laptop computers in the field that program lighting and power systems.

Our industry is much more electronic. Refriger-ants have changed greatly and will be chang-ing even more. We may not even be using refrigerants as we know them in the future.

Our industry shifts in six-month to yearly cycles. Life cycles of technology have become increas-ingly shorter. Work with mobile devices or tablets should be expected.

ELECTRONICSTECHNOLOGY KEVIN GULLIVER

MEDICALASSISTING DIANA KENDRICK

URBANSEARCHANDRESCUE

ALAN KIRBY

PHOTOGRAPHY BILL CHENAILLE

COLLISIONREPAIRTECHNOLOGY

DARRELL ANDREWS

TELECOMMUNICATIONSCABLING

TERESA MAHER

Electronics is no longer a specialty area but an integrated part of all current technology. Troubleshooting will be less to the component level and more from a systems-level perspective.

The office nurse (once hired off the street) has been replaced by an educated medical assistant, versatile in specimen collection, lab testing, medication administration and ECG.

Robotics has made rapid advances in the last few years. In another 50 years, I foresee the competition incorporating underwater as well as flying robotics.

With digital technology, many now do their pro-cessing in house. Expect the continued merging of photography and video technology, requiring professionals to be multimedia specialists.

Vehicles have been completely redesigned with different types of metals, composite materials and components. We may shift toward other metals as vehicles become safer and lighter.

Communications! In 1965, there were no mobile phones, no smart phones, no Internet, no email and no social media. In 50 years, our smart homes will communicate with us directly. •

Phot

o:Ll

oyd

Wol

f

‘BACK ON TRACK’

Ryan Gortney has a love for teaching and SkillsUSA, with his students competing at the national cham-

pionships nine of the past 10 years. His other passion is drag racing. That pursuit led to breaking his neck and back in a June 2012 accident, but the other drove him back into the classroom the next fall. Gortney was racing his wheelstander in a quarter-mile exhibition when the accident happened. The car runs on its rear wheels (visit: thewheeliewagon.com). “I had just made a picture-perfect run and was transitioning the car back down from two wheels to four,” he remembers. “A gear broke, and the rear end locked up solid at about 135 miles an hour. The car bounced and then rolled end over end, and we flew about 130 feet through the air.” With 12 broken vertebrae, an incom-plete spinal cord injury, two punctured lungs, and a lacerated spleen and liver, Gortney was in the hospital for over two months. But soon after fall classes started at Elkhart (Ind.) Area Career Center, he came in one day a week and even helped pick the substitute teacher for his motor-cycle/outdoor power technology program. “It was hard for me not to be in the classroom making a difference in these young people’s lives,” he says. “So many of them don’t have a mentor, and I look at SkillsUSA and the opportunity we have in the classroom to be that mentor.” By the end of that school year, Gortney was spending four days a week there. He went back to work full time the next fall. An extra incentive was his son Lane enrolling in the class. In 2014, the student competed in the SkillsUSA Champion-ships, with his dad proudly looking on. Such success brought many scholar-ships, helping him go to the University of Northwestern Ohio, where he’s now studying high-performance technology. Although doctors once told Gortney he’d never walk again, today he gets around with only a cane. “They didn’t expect me to ever get back in the class-room,” he says, “but I knew deep down in my heart and mind that I would.” •

A self-described over-achiever, Ryan Gortney enjoys “pushing the envelope.” Even a horrific racing accident couldn’t keep him from pursuing his passion for teaching, with his son at his side.

By E. Thomas hall

14 SkillsUSAChampionsWinter2015

Phot

o:Ll

oyd

Wol

f

A career change and hard work lead the way to a national medal

Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology is a recognized leader in applied technology education, known for world-class teaching facilities, partnerships with industry, and a nearly 100% career placement rate.

OSUIT’s degree programs are consistent with emerging market trends and prepare students to fill a continued demand for highly qualified industry professionals, including:

Apply today at osuit.edu or call 800.722.4471

Natural Gas CompressionPipeline Integrity TechnologyPowerline TechnologyPower Plant TechnologyCybersecurity

Information Assurance & ForensicsDiesel & Heavy EquipmentAutomotive Technologies3D Modeling & Animation

Find your future at OSUIT

RETURNING TO CRIME SCENE: Investigation, that is. Once a CSI contestant, Katelyn Hockett (left, with sister and 2014 national competitor Kellie Jordan) now helps train teams at Hermitage Technical Center in Richmond, Va. Instructor Lauren-Anne Sledzinski calls Hockett her key to having a successful team. •

By Ann P. Schreiber

Neal Foster says if you’re willing to put in the work, you can accom-

plish anything you want. After his first attempt in 2013, Foster’s work led to a college/postsecondary gold in Automo-tive Service Technology at the SkillsUSA Championships. In 2009, Foster earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry at the University of Vermont. Unable to find work in the field that would allow him to remain in his home state, he applied and is still employed as a service technician at Cody Chevrolet-Cadillac in Montpelier. “I started out as a quick-lube guy. I was changing oil. I was taking out the trash. I was cleaning up around the shop — doing that stuff,” Foster recalls. “I didn’t really like it, because I would’ve rather been working on cars. [But] you’ve got to do something to get your foot in the door.”

To better prepare for his new career, Foster enrolled at Lakes Region Com-munity College in Laconia, N.H. Later, he followed in the footsteps of teacher Jamie Decato, who earned a silver medal at the 1996 SkillsUSA nationals. Foster’s advice for competitors? “Read the instructions” — something he says technical committees keep repeating. And, be sure to pay atten-tion during the contest orientation. Before his event, Foster learned it would involve using a Snap-on scanner. “I wasn’t familiar with this piece of equip-ment, so I went to the Snap-on booth at SkillsUSA TECHSPO. The Snap-on rep invited me to try out the scanner. “Don’t get too stressed out,” he also advises. “Stay calm. Take advantage of all opportunities to connect. Have fun, smile, laugh and talk to the judges.” Foster adds that competitors should try to learn from every person they see.

Students need to ask questions and take advantage of their teachers’ years of experience. “Keep asking questions until you have the level of knowledge to teach [that task] to someone else.” •

Neal Foster (right) brought home a gold medal and, as an automotive training tool for instructor Jamie Decato, a new Chevrolet Corvette from General Motors.

Winter2015SkillsUSAChampions 15

By Tom Kercheval

Competing in TeamWorksMade Their Dream Work

goldstandardPh

oto:

Lloy

dW

olf

trained in carpentry), one of whom would be mentored by a local mason. By 2012, the first team was formed. But another hurdle loomed: the schools were more than 100 miles apart. While other teams practice together for an entire year, this geographical snag prevented the team from working together at all until the state competition. That didn’t stop the 2012 team from placing 14th in the nation. In 2013, a new team placed sixth. How? “In [real world] construction, you’re bringing crews in from different areas to build a building,” Bixby explains. “They know their stuff and are professional enough to work with other crews. We teach our kids to be able to work with whoever they find on a site.” Bugbee adds, “Our students know what the expectations are in the real world. That’s what employers want, and that’s what we teach them.” Back at the 2014 awards ceremony, those teaching techniques were validated as the Vermont team — comprised of Billy Brinks, Jimmy Jefferson, Ryan Taylor and Nick Hill (pictured at left) — won the gold. “Still in disbelief,” Bugbee laughs. “Total shock,” echoes Bixby. “Very unexpected,” Hill continues. “It was fun to be able to come together and connect as a team.” “A true team,” Bugbee adds. •

A variety of daunting obstacles would’ve led many to deem the goal of these two instructors unattainable. Soon, those who didn’t believe they could do it wouldn’t believe what they did.

During the awards ceremony of the 2014 SkillsUSA Championships,

Vermont’s TeamWorks team waited nearly three nervous hours to hear the results of their performance. They thought they’d done well but didn’t dare to hope. After all, they weren’t like the other teams. “Once you don’t get bronze, you get a little disappointed,” says Mike Bugbee, an electrical instructor from St. Johns-bury Academy and one of the team’s two advisors. “Then silver comes and goes, and you know it’s over.” Not quite. TeamWorks tests the carpentry, electri-cal, plumbing and masonry skills of a four-member team. Bugbee had dreamed of assembling a team since he first saw the competition in 1999, but his school didn’t teach plumbing, and no school in Vermont taught masonry. Years later, Robert Bosch Tool Corp. offered support for a TeamWorks event in Vermont, and the dream was reborn. Bugbee contacted John Bixby, electrical and plumbing instructor at Stafford Tech-nical Center in Rutland. Friendly “arch rivals,” the men had competed against each other on the SkillsUSA state level for years. They were about to become allies. Bugbee would choose two of his students who excelled in electrical and carpentry skills, and Bixby would provide two of his best plumbing students (also

16 SkillsUSAChampionsWinter2015

Find the photo, win a prize No, the picture on the left isn’t abstract art. It’s actually a distorted part of another photo in this issue. Find the original photo and send us the page number where it appears to win a SkillsUSA sport duffel bag (first prize) or travel mug (second prize). To enter, email your answer, name, address and phone number to: anyinfo@skillsusa.org (include “Photo Contest” in the subject line). Or, send to: SkillsUSA Photo Contest, 14001 SkillsUSA Way, Leesburg, VA 20176. One first- and one second-prize winner will be drawn at random from the correct entries. Entries must be received by Jan. 15. Congratulations to last issue’s winners: Shawn Alsager of Warner Robins, Ga., and Bentley Porterfield of Anniston, Ala. •

toolbox

When Looking AheadMeans Looking Behind SkillsUSA is doing something it’s never

done before: enrolling middle-school students as official members. So, get ready — as high-school and college/post-secondary members, you may soon find yourselves pitching the organization to younger prospects. As a class, discuss what it is about SkillsUSA that excites you, that keeps you involved. What do you hope to get out of that involvement? Now, answer those same questions from the perspective of your younger, middle-school self. What would have interested you then? What are the differences between those two sets of answers? What kind of recruitment message do you think would work best for a younger student? Learn more about SkillsUSA’s middle school program at: www.skillsusa.org/programs/middle-school. Also, learn how your class can mentor middle-school students with SkillsUSA’s “Student-2Student” program at: www.skillsusa.org/programs/mentoring-student2student. •

The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of responsibility and

the wings of independence.— DEnis WaiTlEy

Phot

o:B

obbi

Pet

erso

n

spotlight

VETERANS HONORED FOR SERVICE

Building smiles with Legos

A showcase of championsSkillsUSAMassachusettsgoldmedalists

displayedtheirbrassgrandfatherclockduring

DracutOldHomeDay,thecommunity’s

largestevent,whereattendancetops15,000.

MetalfabricationstudentsfromGreater

LowellTechnicalHighSchoolinTyngsboro

builttheclockforthe2014stateSkillsUSA

Championships.Healthservicesstudentsdisplayedtheirownprojecton

sports-relatedconcussions,whichwongoldatthestateCareerPathways

Showcasecompetitionandplacedfourthatnationals.Allthemedalists

sharedtheresearchbehindtheirprojectsandhowtheybecamewinners.They

alsoofferedfreeface-paintingforchildren. •

New Jersey students honor veterans.

Phot

o:C

anad

ian

Valle

yTec

hnol

ogy

Cent

er.

Use

dw

ithp

erm

issi

on.

Bioterrorism drillThe Nashville, Tenn., Metro Public Health Department, with Tennessee State University and other agencies, conducted a bioterrorism drill using McGavock High School as one of two staging areas. In conjunction with the drill, SkillsUSA members portrayed “infected” patients who were instructed to go to simulated safe rooms. Later that same week, students adopted a zombie theme to represent the contagion. See their Community Service contest Prezi presentation and YouTube video at: www.prezi.com/bu8lajnr_vwj/untitled-prezi/. •

SkillsUSA members at Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical

Academy in Elizabeth, N.J., held a luncheon for 20 veterans from the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home in Menlo Park. Culinary arts students prepared the meals and presented the vetarans with certificates honoring them for their military service. “The students who participated were proud of the success of their event,” says Penelope Hudeen, teacher and SkillsUSA advisor, who adds they’re working on ways to improve the next luncheon. •

Having once stayed at the Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital in Bethany, Okla., Rebecca Heiderstadt didn’t hesitate when fellow student

Jennifer Taylor asked her to help bring a fun activity to the center. Heider-stadt had suffered an aneurysm at age 11 and spent time there relearning how to walk and talk. Taylor thought up the weeklong Building Pals project, in which one large jar was filled with Legos and patients guessed how many were in the jar. The closest guess won the large jar, and smaller jars were also

filled with Legos for each participant. Both Taylor and Heiderstadt, SkillsUSA members at Canadian Valley Tech-nology Center’s El Reno campus, presented their project in the national Community Action competition. •

Phot

o:G

reat

erLo

wel

lTec

hnic

alH

igh

Scho

ol.

Use

dw

ithp

erm

issi

on.

Phot

o:T

hom

asE

diso

nCa

reer

and

Tech

nica

lAca

dem

y.U

sed

with

per

mis

sion

.

18 SkillsUSAChampionsWinter2015

SkillsUSA Champions features our members’ photography. We’re looking for images of SkillsUSA chapters in action, or ones that show individual members’ concentration or perseverance. For details, email thall@skillsusa.org (put “Image Photo” in the subject

header) or write SkillsUSA Champions, 14001 SkillsUSA Way, Leesburg, VA 20176. The photographer’s chapter is awarded $150. •

I think SkillsUSA pushes the advisor as much as it pushes the students to strive to be the best.

Ryan Gortney, instructor,Elkhart (Ind.) Area Career Center

Eric Pellizzari judges the culinary event at the New York state SkillsUSA Championships. Photog-raphy student Alexandra Pasquale of Eastern Monroe Career Center in Fairport, N.Y., captured his concentration. Her SkillsUSA advisor is Sulyn Bennett-Hennessey.

Phot

o:A

lexa

ndra

Pas

qual

e

image

SkillsUSA gives people like me, in the trades, some-where to shine. We keep this country moving, but we don’t always get the recognition we deserve. SkillsUSA gives us that time in the spotlight.

Neal Foster of Montpelier, Vt., national goldmedalist in Automotive Service Technology

WITH 50 SOLID YEARS BEHIND US, SUPPORT OUR AMBITIOUS STEPS FORWARD.

Purchase your own custom-engraved paver for the walkway of SkillsUSA’s National Leadership Center. Commemorate your SkillsUSA experience or honor a cherished mentor and become part of SkillsUSA forever.

As we celebrate our 50th anniversary of empowering our members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens, here’s your chance to help us build for the future, brick by brick.

Choose the brick-pricing category that best showcases your commitment to SkillsUSA:

Corporations / State Associations $500 Individual Adult $100 Individual Student $50

To purchase your paver and to learn more about this perpetual campaign, please visit: www.skillsusa.org/store/pavers

SkillsUSA’s National Leadership Centeris located in Leesburg, Virginia, approximately 50 miles northwest of our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. �e building houses the SkillsUSA sta� and historical displays. Along with welcoming in�uential visitors such as industry executives, manufacturers and VIPs from education and government, it has meeting space for student, teacher and business conferences.

Paver Campaign Partner For more information, please contact Christen Battaglia at cbattaglia@skillsusa.org or call 703-737-0627.

All discounts are taken from list pricing. Promotions cannot be stacked. Tax ID# required when ordering through a tax-exempt school. Special offer only valid to instructors, schools and students. Channellock reserves the right of refusal.

PLACE YOUR ORDER TODAY AT

Questions? Call 1-800-724-3018 or email salessupport@channellock.com

40% OFF LIST PRICE FREE SHIPPING

FUTURETRADESMEN.CHANNELLOCK.COM

PLACE YOUR ORDER TODAY AT

SHIPPING

FUTURETRADESMEN.CHANNELLOCK.COM

At CHANNELLOCK®, we’re committed to helping the next generationof tradesmen get the skills and equipment they need. So we make it

easy for students, instructors and trade schools to purchase professional-grade CHANNELLOCK® tools.

Use WHAT THE PROS USE JUST DON’T PAY WHAT THE PROS PAY.