My Memories of SkillsUSA in California

The shield represents patriotism ~ The shield denotes our belief in democracy, liberty and the American way of life. ~

The gear represents the industrial society ~ The gear, symbolic of the industrial society, denotes the interdependence and cooperation of the individual working with labor and management for the betterment of mankind.

The torch represents knowledge ~ The flaming torch reflects the light of knowledge, which dispels the darkness of ignorance. In the light of the torch, progress will be made toward the vocational goals of the individual. ~

The orbital circles represent technology ~ The circles represent the challenge of modern technology and the training needed to accept and master the challenge of new technical frontiers and the need for continuous education. ~

The hands represent the individual ~ The hands portray a search for knowledge and our desire to acquire a skill. In the process of attaining knowledge and skill, we will develop a respect for the dignity of work and become productive and responsible citizens. ~

Note: The emblem should not be used to represent the organization. Please use official SkillsUSA logos. http://www.skillsusa.org/images/emblem.jpg

Overview: SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives, working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. It helps each student to excel.

SkillsUSA is a national organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health occupations. SkillsUSA was formerly known as VICA (the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America).
Membership: More than 300,000 student and instructors join SkillsUSA annually, organized into more than 19,333 sections and 54 state and territorial associations. SkillsUSA has served more than 9.6 million members.
Mission: SkillsUSA is an applied method of instruction for preparing America's high performance workers in public career and technical programs. It provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development. It builds and reinforces self-confidence, work attitudes and communications skills. It emphasizes total quality at work-high ethical standards, superior work skills, life-long education, and pride in the dignity of work. SkillsUSA also promotes understanding of the free-enterprise system and involvement in community service.
Partners: Currently, 16,291 teachers and school administrators serve as professional SkillsUSA members and instructors. More than 1,100 business, industry and labor sponsors actively support SkillsUSA at the national level through financial aid, in-kind contributions, and involvement of their people in SkillsUSA activities. Many more work directly with state associations and local chapters.
Programs: SkillsUSA programs include local, state and national competitions in which students demonstrate occupational and leadership skills. At the annual national-level SkillsUSA Championships, over 5,000 students compete in 91 occupational and leadership skill areas.

The students that I remember the best are those that got involved in SkillsUSA (formally VICA, Vocational Industrial Clubs of America). These students seemed to take the study of Electronics more seriously, and they developed into mature individuals as a result of their involvement in Skills.

In thisPicture:

Got Skills? - Mt. SAC medalists (l-r) are Fred
Gonzales, Jennifer Craig, Al Garzon, Scott
Moore, and Faculty Advisor Harry M. Smith Jr.

SkillsUSA is more than just a competition. It also interacts in club activities, parties, fundraisers, and communities' services. On Nov. 5, 2007, members of SkillsUSA Region 3 participated in the Mt.SAC Fat Tire Classic, an off road mountain bike race. Handcrafted trophies, created by Mt. SAC students, were given as awards.

According to SkillsUSA.org, the organization provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development. It assembles and strengthens self-confidence, work outlook and communication skills. It highlights total quality at work: high moral standards, superior work skills, life-long education, and pride in the dignity of work. SkillsUSA also promotes understanding of the free-enterprise system and involvement in community service.

Harry M.Smith, former (now retired) professor of electronics and computer technology and advisor of SkillsUSA, on campus, said it is more than just a club on campus. He explained:

"I have discovered down through the years that students that get involved in the competitive spirit of the SkillsUSA competitions seem to do better in their school work. They study differently, and they remember differently. This may be because they know that after the final exam for a class, they still need to remember and review the material they learned in previous classes. I've also noticed that the leadership skills they learn in SkillsUSA help them when they apply for employment."

Some of my best memories of Teaching Electronics for the past 30 years are of SkillsUSA and the Wonderful Advisors in Region 3. I would be kidding you if I said that coordinating the SkillsUSA competitions in Region 3 was always fun and easy, but the opportunity to rub shoulders with the best vocational teachers in the world, made it worth all the effort.

Every time my brother, Herb Smith, and I put together a competition in Los Angeles, there they were. Teachers from every Vocational program you can imagine were available and willing to help. Even on the day of the competition, advisors would show up and ask, "What can I do to help?" or they would say, "Wer'e here to help the Smith Brothers".

Some people ask me, now that I live in Arizona, how can you stand the HEAT in the summer? I tell them that an Arizona summer isn't for wimps, and besides, it builds character. But when I look back, I could apply that same theory to SkillsUSA. When you step up to the plate and volunteer for service, that job isn't for wimps, and it really does build character.

Mt. SAC Picks Up 9 Medals at SkillsUSA Regionals

Mt. SAC students won seven gold medals and two silver medals at the SkillsUSA regional
competition held recently at Cal State L.A. More than 500 students from high schools and
community colleges competed in the skills competition. Electronics Professor Harry M Smith Jr.
coordinated the awards event for the regionals.

The gold medalists at the regional competition will advance to the SkillsUSA state competition on
April 14-17 in Riverside. The top finalists at the state level then go on to compete at the SkillsUSA
national competition.

SkillsUSA (formerly the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America-VICA) is a nationally affiliated
vocational club representing secondary and post-secondary students in the trade, technical, and
health education fields.

Gold Medalists

Violeta Us, Mobile Electronics Installation, East LA Occupational Center
Ivette Jiminez, Pin Design, East LA Occupational Center
Shawn Meeder, Power Equipment Technology, Butte County ROP/Pleasant Valley HS
Madelyn Stokes, Preschool Teaching Assistant, Cuesta Community College

Silver Medalists

Daniel Lehmkuhl, Automotive Service Technology, Cuesta Community College
Susan Harris, Graphic Communication, Riverside Community College

Bronze Medalists

Kris Smith, Automotive Service Technology, Ramona High School
Hayden Woodard, Carpentry, Woodland High School
Amritpal Aujla, Crime Scene Investigation, Eden Area ROP Team
Luke Northrup, Crime Scene Investigation, Eden Area ROP Team
Zuleima Rodriguez, Crime Scene Investigation, Eden Area ROP Team
Adam Schott, Firefighting, Modesto City Schools ROP

SkillsUSA California is a non-profit organization designed to help enhance career and technical education skills as well as foster leadership in todays youth. We would not be able to accomplish this goal without the amazing support of different industry members, their companies, our volunteer instructors and of course our alumni. We'd like to thank all of you for your tireless effort and support as donors, contest coordinators, judges and general support volunteers. Without you the various events and leadership trainings we hold each year would not be possible. Thank you!

Adobe
Apple
Autodesk
Bosch
California Steel Framing Alliance
Cisco Systems
G-W Publisher
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
GraybaR
Irwin Industrial Tools
Lowe's
Matco Tools
Thomas Paton and Associates
Source Refrigeration & HVAC, inc.
Tec

Hi Harry,

Good to heard from you. Things were a little rough around the edges for our first time up at Fresno, but it is always tough to organize such a big event. this year should be a bit better.

I am not sure if you have heard, but I have also decided to retire at the close of this school year. This is my 35th year at Bell Gardens High School. Have some ideas about how to feel some of my voids or my free time. I enjoy traveling, I recently had a Work Shop constructed behind my garage and have thought to address speaking with Mr. Mark Tait, at Cerritos College about possible part time employment.

There is another good reason why retirement is going to be even sweeter. Our Montebello Unified School District has offered us the "Golden Hand Shake" in terms of a $50,000 Annuity on top of our regular Pension. I had already made up my mind to retire so this is Icing on the cake.

Well, once again we two Job Skills Demonstrators that might be fortunate enough to advance to the SkillsUSA Nationals. Hope to see you at either the State Conference and/or the Nationals.

Ricardo Jimenez

Hi Harry...

Good to hear from you. I read your blog. Enjoy your retirement!

Morgan Chikosi

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

SkillsUSA California is lead by two Directors who work in conjunction with each other to carry forth the organizational objectives of our state. The Executive Director is a position appointed by the Board of Directors to represent the organization in most matters while the State Director is the Department of Educations representative to the Association.

SkillsUSA California Executive Leadership Team

Executive Director

Jay Winters:
Executive Director
casusa1@verizon.net

State Director

Dara Dubois:
State Director
ddubois@cde.ca.gov

Industry Representatives:

*************************

Mace Gjerman
Chair
Peterson Tractor
mgjerman@petersonholding.com

Knute Momberg
Freelance Photography
jcachu@stockton.k12.ca.us

Devin Crosby
Director, Information Technologies
California School Boards Association
dcrosby@csba.org

Scott Cooper
Electrician
berylady@sbcglobal.net

Instruction Representatives:

*************************

Mark Allen
Secretary/Region 1 Representative
Healdsburg High School
MAllenRef@aol.com

Dennis Guido,
CDE Representative
California Department of Education
dguido@cde.ca.gov

John Stokes
Treasurer/Region 2 Representative
Paso Robles High School
prhsauto@aol.com

Mark Hall
Region 5 Representative
Edward C. Merlo Institute of Environmental Studies
mhall@stockton.k12.ca.us

John Ostlie
Region 6 Representative
Apply Valley Unified School District
john_ostlie@avusd.org

Mark Feuebauch
CITEA Representative
Galt High School

SkillsUSA California Leadership

Jay Winters
Executive Director/ President/CEO
SkillsUSA California, Inc.
jwinters@skillsusaca.com

Dara Dubois
State Director
California Department of Education
ddubois@cde.ca.gov

John Crosby
SAC Representative
Lassen Technical Institute
jmcrosby@hotmail.com