Winter 2015 - SkillsUSA Michigan

A publication of SkillsUSA Michigan • www.miskillsusa.org
Winter 2015
Give Back
Julia Walton
State Treasurer
Volume 9, Issue 2
Winter 2015
Inside this Issue...
Give Back ..................................... 1
Teaching Michigan ...................... 3
Branches of Education ............... 4
Coin Money ................................... 4
Compete to Succeed ................... 7
Your Questions Answered .......... 7
Your Life vs. Virtual Life .............. 8
The Light of the Future ............... 8
Paying it Forward ....................... 10
State Conference Dress Code.. 10
Thank You! .................................. 11
2014-2015
State Executive Council
Olivia Weidner
Bay Arenac ISD Career Center
State President
Ramon Moreno
Lapeer County Ed Tech Center
State Vice President
Teresa Strobel
Kent Career Technical Center
State Secretary
Julia Walton
Oakland Schools Technical Center NE Campus
State Treasurer
Jazlyn Acosta
Breithaupt Career & Technical Center
State Parliamentarian
Levi Smitter
Kent Career Technical Center
State Historian
Luis Vinalay
Kent Career Technical Center
State Sergeant-At-Arms
Editorial Correspondence
Tammy Brown, Editor
SkillsUSA Michigan
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 487-3888  Fax: (734) 487-4329
www.miskillsusa.org  tbrown51@emich.edu
Articles & Letters Welcome for Publication
The policy of SkillsUSA Michigan is that no
person shall, on the basis of race, color,
sexual orientation, ethnicity, sex or disability,
be excluded from participation in, be
denied the benefits of, or be subjected to
discrimination during any program or activity
or in employment.
The holiday season is over and it reminds me that
we have a chance to give back. No matter if you
are rich or poor, people take from the society, and
community service is a great way to show your appreciation. only does your volunteering reach out
to those in the community, but it will help you as
a person. Community service is one way you can
build your self-esteem; you are doing good.
When you step up and give back, you gain many
benefits as well. By volunteering, you may pick up
a new skill that you may possibly put onto your resume. Volunteering can help you grow as a person,
show you things that you like and dislike. Gaining
a new perspective on things can be very beneficial
to you at any point in your life. Also, you could
make social connections and network. Not only
does it give you something to do on a day you have
nothing planned but you could meet other people
that you could be lifetime friends.
Talking to a few students at my school about community service projects they have participated in,
they said how much it had changed them. The little things they did for someone else changed their
world. Volunteering can open our eyes to the things
we take for granted on a daily basis. Many of the
students said that it had them step back and look at
all the things they are thankful for.
It is true, that a lot of us take for granted the things
we have. The kid you pass in the hall may not
know if he is going to have dinner that night. You
never know who is in need of help. Even the smallest things could help someone out. Whether it be
paying for the next person in the food line or dedicating the afternoon at the soup kitchen, you could
really change someone’s day. It is an easy thing
that everyone should do at some point in their lives
because it can make a world of difference. Get involved, and give back.
What can your SkillsUSA chapter do to get involved? At the Oakland Schools Technical Campus
Northeast, there are community service projects
for every class that wants to participate. During
the holiday season, the cosmetology department
creates winter hairstyles that are voted on to raise
money to buy gift cards to give to families in the
community that are in need of some assistance.
Also, the culinary department goes to a soup kitchen and prepares a meal for the people in the community. Additionally, the school has a mitten tree
where anyone and everyone can bring in mittens
and gloves to send out to people that do not have
them. As well as fun service activities within the
school, volunteering is taken out of state, like at
our national conference. In Kansas City, MO, the
students were given the opportunity to give back,
like at the food pantry or in the local park. There
are so many ways to show your appreciation in
your community. Go and talk to your teachers and/
or principals about getting involved!
We are tomorrow’s leaders. We want to create a
meaningful and productive life for ourselves and
our families while giving our best energy to improve the world around us.
One person at a time we are making the world a
better place. So get up and give back!
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Winter 2015
Envision Tomorrow Today
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Envision Tomorrow Today
Winter 2015
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Page 3
Teaching Michigan
Olivia Weidner
State President
What are your State Officers up to now? The
Fall Leadership Conference of course! On November 5, 2014 at the Lansing Center, in Lansing Michigan, the state officer team delivered
an awesome 2014 Fall Leadership Conference
(FLC)! This particular conference featured
amazing leadership training opportunities. There
were breakout sessions led by the state officers,
and a fun training by FOCUS. This year, the
FLC had 308 participants and we’d like to thank
all of those who attended. You helped make this
year’s FLC so much better.
If you didn’t have the chance to attend our conference, this article will fill you in on everything
you missed! The FLC began with the opening
ceremony, where each student in attendance
learned the SkillsUSA emblem and the meaning behind each component. Then, students were the sheet of paper, crumpled it up and threw it in
split up into groups to attend one of 3 breakout the center of the group. Members of the group
sessions led by the state officers.
picked up the paper and read the word on the
paper to meet each other. I recommend this iceIn their breakout session called “Step Up!”, Julia breaker to everyone!
and Luis introduced each state officer, and described the important role they play on the team. Now that everyone was acquainted, Jazlyn and
They started things by doing an icebreaker activ- Ramon began to teach students about Parliamenity called “Baby I love you, but you just can’t tary Procedure. What is Parliamentary Procemake me smile.” Each student matched up with dure? It’s a rule that defines how a particular sitthe person sitting next to them and repeated the uation is to be handled, or a particular outcome
phrase and whoever laughed first, lost! After achieved, in a legislature or deliberative body.
breaking the ice, Julia and Luis went over the To demonstrate this, each group received a script
parts of the SkillsUSA emblem so students could with directions on running an actual “meeting”.
know all about it. The SkillsUSA emblem has Each group took turns playing demonstrating
a shield which represents patriotism, a gear that their “meeting” by going through the script. Afrepresents the industrial society, a torch that rep- ter each group was done with their “meeting”,
resents knowledge, orbital circles that represents Jazlyn and Ramon wrapped up the breakout sestechnology, and lastly the hands that represent sion with a review of Parliamentary Procedure.
the individual. The breakout session ended with
a fun game of bingo to review all of the state of- The third breakout session at the FLC was
ficer positions and duties.
“Strive for the Future” and was led by Teresa,
Jazlyn and Ramon led a breakout session called
“Stop the Chaos”. The breakout session began
with a crumbled paper icebreaker. First, students
were divided into groups and were given a piece
of paper. Then, they wrote a random word on
Levi and Olivia. In this breakout, the ice breaker was called “The Human Knot”. The “Human
Knot” is a great way to get to know each other.
The students were split up into groups and then
had to grab the hands of someone they didn’t
know. Once everyone was holding each other’s
hand, they had to try to untangle themselves in a
timely matter.
After the icebreaker, students learned about the
SkillsUSA National Program of Work which sets
the standard for SkillsUSA chapters nationwide.
All SkillsUSA programs are in some way related to the Program of Work’s seven goals. The
expectation is that each SkillsUSA chapter will
carry out the National Program of Work. Each
student then received a handout with the seven
goals. As the breakout session continued, the
state officers explained all of the goals. Along
with our explanations the students participated
in activities to demonstrate that they understood
the goal. For example, the students demonstrated
proper job interviewing skills, created a community service project, and took friendly pictures
with those in their group. The breakout session
concluded with a review to see what the students
had learned.
After the morning breakout sessions came lunch.
Then, the students began their FOCUS training,
which was led by Kyle. His presentation consisted of splitting the students into groups to form
their own companies. Within the group, you had
to decide who would be the CEO and manager.
Of course, you also need a staff to create your
product and a marketing team to create a commercial. For the next 30 minutes, all of the group
decisions were made by the CEO, who had the
power to change whatever was going on.
This role play activity demonstrated both a life
lesson and a leadership lesson. Things don’t always go the way we want them to in life, and
we need to have the leadership skills to face the
problem and persevere. Kyle was thanked for his
participation and awarded with a certificate.
In closing the FLC, the state officers issued challenges to students. Among the challenges students were to “like” the SkillsUSA Michigan
Facebook page, and recruit at least five new
members for your local SkillsUSA chapter. The
closing ceremony followed and the FLC was adjourned.
If you have any questions about the FLC, or
would like to contact one of the state officers,
feel free to email any of us. You can find our email address at www.miskillsusa.org.
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Winter 2015
Envision Tomorrow Today
Branches of Education
Coin Money
Ramon Moreno
Levi Smitter
State Vice President
The American dream can be traced back to the
first settlers in America. They were looking for
more than their country offered them, just like
you can follow the branches on a tree. The trunk
represents the community of people living in it.
In the roots, one finds a strong foundation that
can be defined as Opportunity. Deeply embedded in each of the roots are the four life links:
passion, drive, strength and desire. Just like a
Pine tree, that stands through every season and
holds firm in the storms, the branches are the
path that people take. Finally, the leaf, the most
attractive part of the tree also represents the most
important; education. This is the Tree of the
American Dream.
State Historian
tion, doors can close. There is a big missed opportunity when doors are closed due to a lack of
education.
Our society values education and every single
child should be afforded an equal opportunity
to pursue their dream of continuing their education upon finishing high school. Best said by Dr.
Condoleezza Rice, former US Secretary of State:
“In America, with education and hard work, it
really does not matter where you come from, it
matters where you are going.”
When you think of the poor in America, you think
of being homeless, and not having any food. Yet
has anyone noticed that the lack of education is a
form of poverty? With education so many things
are possible. A significant amount of opportunities are opened with education; opportunities
that leads to the American Dream.
Education can be found in all facets of life. You
are learning from the first day you are born, until
you take your last breath. You will continue to
educate and continue to be taught and learn life
lessons. This is why education is a vital role in
everyone’s life. When you are lacking an educa-
Career Jump Start
focuses on high
demand careers
in
Manufacturing
Information
Technology
Ever wonder how to get information about
high demand careers and training available
in your area?
It’s vital to inspire and prepare young people for tomorrow’s
career opportunities. Career Jump Start offers assistance to
high school students by connecting them with training
programs that guide them toward high demand careers.
Career Liaisons focus on
shorter term credentials such
as Associate degrees,
apprenticeships, and
certifications. They also
connect students with events,
activities, workshops, and plant
tours to give them the
information they need to make
an informed decision about their future.
Health Care
Human Services &
Education
Science,
Technology,
Chances are that if you go home and look
around, you’ll find pennies or nickels laying
around somewhere. While your spare change
may come in handy for a SkillsUSA fundraiser
or a community service project, did you know
that pennies are actually worth less than their
monetary value? Pennies cost 1.8 cents to make
and nickels cost 9.4 cents to make. What this
means is that the United States government
spent $104.5 million dollars last year alone to
make these small value coins. (Wall Street Journal, Change for a Nickel?) You might be thinking, ‘What does this have to do with me?’. Well,
part of this discussion is, if we replace the penny
and nickel with something else, or change the
metal entirely, it would require nearly all coin
based machines to be changed to handle the different weight or size of the new type of coins. At
this point you’re still probably thinking ‘Why
should I care about the weight of coins?’. The
answer lies in the second part of this argument,
if we remove the penny and nickel should we
make dollar coins to replace paper money?
Coin dollars rather than paper dollars is a topic
that has come up in the past couple years. Paper money has to be replaced due to wear every
couple years, but coins are a semi-permanent
currency that can last for an upwards of thirty
years. Coins can survive a trip through the
washer multiple times. The fact that we haven’t
made the switch earlier is based on the sole
problem that they’re not spatially convenient.
In order to hold a large sum of money, you’d
either need a variety of dollar coins or a coin
purse to carry around. This is a small issue, but
it’s an issue none the less, because of the fact
that we’ll always be faced with the problem of
counterfeiting in America.
Counterfeiting, while not a very common problem in Michigan, is always a present issue in our
current financial situation. The economy of the
United States has been in a teetering state since
the great depression in the 1930’s. As a country
we have had to (reasonably) print and distribute
money to the public. The government printed
and controlled money, but a few people with the
proper instruments were able to create seemingly real copies of paper currency. With this ability to counterfeit money, they could flood the
market, or their pockets, with the seemingly real
stuff. Coins are harder to replicate, especially if
they have the smaller details in the images.
Finally, before I end, I want to state my own
opinion: changing to coin dollars would be
more cost effective and are safer to produce.
Engineering &
Math
TO LEARN
MORE VISIT
www.mitalent.org
/career-jump-start
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Winter 2015
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Envision Tomorrow Today
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Envision Tomorrow Today
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Winter 2015
Page 7
Compete to Succeed
Jazlyn Acosta
State Parliamentarian
Have you ever thought about what competition
you would like to participate in? Competitions
are right around the corner! Whether you decide
to participate in Community Service Project,
Culinary Arts, Job Skills Demonstration or even
to be a state or national officer, you should really
put some thought into it now and get involved.
Not only will you benefit yourself but your chapter too. How can demonstrating your skills and
what you can do benefit you?
If your home school requires community service
hours in order for you to graduate, this might be
a great way to get them done, it can be a winwin situation because you have the chance of
completing your hours and also make a person
in need very content. But, let’s say you are into
construction or something related to that. Skill-
sUSA has a partnership with CAT and Lowe’s
and if you make it all the way to nationals you
can get the chance to experience how they go out
the whole nine yards.
But before all that, why should you compete?
What will make it worth it you ask? This experience only comes once in a lifetime. Taking the
courage and just going out there and doing your
thing can give you a life changing experience.
While in competitions you will meet so many
new people who live in this great state of Michigan. You can also build friendships and business
relationships with them. If I do say so myself,
participating in a SkillsUSA competition might
just be one of the best decisions you will ever
make.
be the best at anything if you are prepared and
self-assured. But if you do not take the time out
to practice for your competition, when the time
comes you will feel intimidated by others who
look like they know what they are doing. There
are 4,700 SkillsUSA Michigan members so being able to stand out among your peers is a pretty big deal. Or even if you doubt yourself right
now, participate just to be part of the experience
and to feel the environment of SkillsUSA. Competing can also be a learning experience because
How does competing benefit your chapter? you get to see the way others do their thing.
When you start getting involved to compete,
your peers will notice that you are so into your Just give yourself the chance and become part of
competition it encourage them to compete also! the excitement. Have at least a little confidence
It will be a pretty cool school thing to have your in yourself and make a difference to expand your
whole technical center involved. Especially if career. Literally this opportunity can open doors
and lead to things such as internships and job
you can take those state medals home!
offers. You will be surprised to see how many
In order to be successful in your competition, people’s lives have changed all because they depreparing for your competition is key. You can cided to compete!
Your SkillsUSA Questions Answered
by your 2014-2015 State Officers
How do you become a SkillsUSA State Officer?
If, after reading this newspaper, you want to be
a SkillsUSA officer, here is where to start. Ask
your SkillsUSA advisor about the chapter. Let
them know you would like to be a part of next
year’s officer team. You will then begin a process of filling out an application which is due
February 15, 2015. When the SkillsUSA State
competition takes place in April, you will have
an interview and give a speech and campaign in
front of a panel of delegates. After all this, you
will find out if you’ve made the team. Good luck!
-Olivia Weider
What's it like being a state officer?
Being a state officer has many honors, but it
also has a lot of responsibility. That means you
always have to be on your best behavior even
when you are not at a SkillsUSA meeting. You
also feel like you are part of a huge loving family. So you watch out for each other and always
help out.
-Ramon Moreno
How do I start a SkillsUSA Chapter in my
school?
If you are ever interested in starting a SkillsUSA
chapter in your school, here is the way to start.
Complete an application for a chapter which can
be obtained through the SkillsUSA.org website.
Obtain a SkillsUSA Membership Kit by calling
800-321-8422 or download membership forms
and materials for the current school year. Next,
meet with the school administrator to request
permission to start a new program and to gain
support for the SkillsUSA chapter. If possible,
it would be good to have brochures to show the
+
benefits of SkillsUSA to students, instructors,
and the school. Also, explain SkillsUSA to the
Industry Advisory Council that supports your
program, and ask for their support and involvement as the chapter develops. Those members
can help by serving as guest speakers, contest
judges, etc. Finally, gain support from other faculty members if you plan to involve students
from other training programs. Anybody can start
a chapter at a school, just take that first step and
keep going.
-Luis Vinalay
ered six football fields. I personally saw everyone competing and working hard. I can tell you,
it’s an opportunity you don't want to miss. It’s
amazing how those people put their whole self
into their competition. So get involved and come
join the fun!
-Jazlyn Acosta
What is SkillsUSA?
SkillsUSA is a national, student-run organization
that readies students at technical/career centers
for the world of work. The SkillsUSA organization has local, regional, state and national level
competitions with over 80 contests. In addition
to learning how to improve your skills for your
competition, you will learn valuable life skills
such as teamwork, diversity, time management
and more. These skills will set you apart when
you enter the workforce. SkillsUSA strives for
each student to excel, for the betterment of the
future of America.
-Julia Walton
What should I learn about the SkillsUSA
Emblem?
The emblem of SkillsUSA represents us as a
whole. Each different part depicts how we learn
and what we are all about: technology, knowledge, and the industrial society are all factors
that teach us about our desired field. Knowing
the SkillsUSA emblem means knowing about
SkillsUSA, and SkillsUSA is important to your
future.
-Levi Smitter
What can SkillsUSA do for me?
SkillsUSA offers many opportunities. One of
How do you compete in a SkillsUSA com- them is scholarships. In participating in SkillsUSA, you can receive multiple scholarships. My
petition?
If you would like to take your skills to the next friend received $10,000 in scholarship money
level, talk to your advisor about competing in towards a local college, for competing in just
an official SkillsUSA competition! It’s a great three rounds of a SkillsUSA competition. Also,
opportunity to show everyone what you have having SkillsUSA experience on a college or
learned and what you can do. There are several work application can be very helpful. Many stulevels of competition: local, regional, states, and dents who have participated in SkillsUSA have
nationals. A select few may even go to the World received internships and jobs because of their
Skills competition! You can also compete as a previous experience participating in SkillsUSA.
college student in the post secondary level. At The benefits of participating in SkillsUSA are
the 2014 SkillsUSA Nationals competition in many, you just have to participate to find out!
-Teresa Strobel
Kansas City, the space for the competition cov+
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Winter 2015
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Envision Tomorrow Today
Real Life vs. Virtual Life
Teresa Strobel
State Secretary
Social Media. What is it? You can go anywhere,
be with almost anyone, and you can have something in common with them. Almost everyone
has a cell phone or something similar to it. In
many ways, this can be a good thing. People can
contact others when they’re in trouble, it’s also
an easy way to contact your friends if you just
want to get together without having to worry
about going to their house to ask.
Don’t get me wrong, these things are not bad,
they’re just bad when people over use them. Let
me ask you a question; “When was the last time
you went outside and played with your friends or
little siblings?” You’re probably thinking, playing outside is for little kids! WRONG! Playing
outside is for everyone! I hear so many teens
say they don’t want to grow up, so stay young
as long as you can and go enjoy the fresh air!
So, social media can be a very good thing when The freedom to go outside was given to us for a
used for the right purpose. The one thing bad reason, let’s not waste that gift.
about social media is that is has become a distraction, an addiction. Because of social media, Another thing that social media has done is that
people think they don’t have to live in the world it has destroyed the importance of conversation.
anymore, they only need their virtual world. Who cares about actually talking to their face
Their real life becomes completely different than and having a real conversation? Conversing is
their virtual life.
a very important skill that is needed in the workforce, that many teenagers don’t even know how
When our parents were kids, they didn’t have to use. I don’t know about you, but I prefer talkcell phones, computers, and such, they had cray- ing with people face to face instead of texting
ons, paper, board games and the great outdoors. them. Many times, people will miss out on great
They would connect with the kids on their street opportunities because their face in is a phone
and spends hours playing outside. Today’s gen- texting somebody. Don’t miss out on great operation, you rarely see kids playing outside. Why portunities just because you think that you need
is this? Because they’re too busy watching the to be on your phone all day to keep up to the latrecent episode of their favorite television show, est news.
texting a friend, or just blocking out in the world
by listening to music.
How can we change this problem? Well, it really is simple: put down the phone, put down
the camera, get off the computer, and do something! There are over a million books that could
be read, a million paths that could be explored, a
million recipes that could be baked and so much
more. There are so many things that you could
do besides from being on an electronic device.
Electronics are good when they are used for good
things, not for just wasting time. Don’t miss out
on your life because you’re constantly on your
phone. Take time to talk to the people around
you, you’ll figure out that when you do that, your
friends will normally be trustworthy. Be the person who has a better life off their phone than on.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go outside and play with my little siblings.
Light of the Future
Luis Vanalay
State Sergeant-At-Arms
America today is facing a challenge, one that
America hasn’t faced in a long time. There are
hundreds of thousands of jobs today that are being
unfilled due to the lack of skills that employees
have acquired throughout their younger years. If
these jobs continue to go unfilled then what kind
of future are we looking at? Will America continue to be the land of opportunity? What will
happen to the youth of this great nation? Well,
let me answer these questions. America will
overcome this challenge. The future is looking
brighter than ever. The land of opportunity will
remain and the youth shall become the leaders
of this great nation. Who will ensure this? That
answer is simple! It will be the members SkillsUSA.
is exactly what flows through the minds of the
members of this great organization.
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure
that America has a strong workforce. For the
last fifty years, SkillsUSA has been empowering
it’s members to become world-class workers,
leaders, and responsible American citizens. The
members of SkillsUSA are the future, we are the
ones who will inherit this nation from our mothers and fathers and become the new leaders of
America. That is what SkillsUSA is preparing all
of its members for, it empowers us to become
those great leaders of the next generation. Members of SkillsUSA become more than trailblazers that others will follow, we are the ones who
It has never been a better time to be skilled. The inspire others to reach higher, dream bigger and
members of SkillsUSA are proving this. The achieve greater, we are champions at work.
many jobs that go unfilled every year require
certain skills that employees need and there To all the members of SkillsUSA strive to be the
are too many people who don’t have the skills best that you can be, we are the next generation;
needed for these jobs. Well, the members of we are the shining example of what is right with
SkillsUSA do. The technical training that all the America’s youth, we are the light of the future.
members go through is exactly what the industries are striving to find in their employees, these
hard skills are what SkillsUSA help us master
through the competitions and those members
who compete are pushing themselves to become
the best of the best at what they do. Not only do
we learn the technical skills needed for the workplace but also the soft skills. The intangibles that
all employers seek, skills such as teamwork,
communication, public speaking and so much
more. These are the skills that make us stand
out against the rest. Why would you just want
to fit in when you were born to stand out? That
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SkillsUSA
Michigan is on
Facebook and
Twitter!
You can find us on
Facebook at
www.facebook.com/
miskillsusa.
A link to our Facebook page
is also on the home page
of our web site at www.
miskillsusa.org.
Become a fan and follower!
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Envision Tomorrow Today
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Winter 2015
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Page 10
Winter 2015
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Envision Tomorrow Today
Paying it Forward
Rosa L. Williams
State Officer Coordinator
What does it mean to Pay It Forward? Wikipedia defines it as an expression for describing the
beneficiary of a good deed repaying it to others
instead of to the original benefactor.
Day. There are so many activities you can do for
this event such as paying for someone’s dinner
at a restaurant, pay for their coffee at Starbucks,
pay for someone’s gas at the gas station or something as simple as placing an extra quarter in the
Mother Teresa says, “If you can’t feed a hundred meter so they will not receive a parking ticket.
people, then just feed one.” I love that quote because along the way, we all may have some set- What can you do to Pay
backs, face discouragement, and find ourselves It Forward? I’ve given
stuck but somehow we find a way to help those you some ideas to ponwho are in need. If we take the time to do what der. Think and come up
we can to assist others, we will be better for it. with your own ideas.
Take the initiative and
The possibilities are endless.
go for it. See where this
Planning is the key. Start your motor running goes. You do not have
and begin thinking of what you can do to bring to wait until April 30,
joy to someone else’s life. When you are paying 2015. Start right now.
it forward, performing a random act of kindness, Oprah Winfrey wrote
you are doing something for someone without “No gesture is too small
asking for anything in return. What if you took when done with gratithe initiative today by making a difference? The tude”. So come out of
choices you make will not only affect you but it your comfort zone.
will have an impact on many others. We know
the world will not change but you can. Who So I challenge you to
can you pay it forward to? Start action today! A Pay It Forward. Do
random acts of kindness can always cause some- something good for
thing positive. It may be hard at first maybe even your coworkers, your
teacher, your family
feel weird or strange but it is well worth it.
and/or even a stranger.
Are you aware there is a Pay It Forward Day? As you gain a fresh perWell Thursday, April 30, 2015 is Pay It Forward spective of how you will
bless someone’s life, you will be impelled with
a sense of wonder, and looking forward to your
next random act of kindness. All it takes is one
time, it is time to give back and Pay It Forward.
“We make a living by what we get; we make a
life by what we give.” Sir Winston Churchill
State Conference Dress Code
In preparing for your competition, we want to remind everyone of the State Conference Dress Code. How you
present yourself is just as important as how your perform! The State Conference Dress Code applies to both
students and advisors.
IMPORTANT NOTE: At the Sunday Morning Awards Ceremony at the State Conference, all state contest medalists need to be properly dressed in order to be allowed on stage. Make sure you have the right clothes!
Friday Night General Session and Saturday Delegate Meeting: School-logo attire or SkillsUSA Michigan attire is required. A SkillsUSA blazer, sweater or windbreaker is encouraged but not required. Business attire is NOT allowed.
• Women: School-logo collared shirt, dress pants or skirt no shorter than 2” above the knee, skin-tone seamless hose, and
close toed dress shoes OR white collared shirt, black pants or skirt no shorter than 2” above the knee, skin-tone seamless
hose, and close toed dress shoes.
• Men: School-logo collared shirt, dress pants, dress socks, and dress shoes OR white collared shirt, black pants, black socks,
and dress shoes.
Sunday Morning Awards Ceremony: SkillsUSA Michigan attire or appropriate National Competition clothing is required. A SkillsUSA blazer, sweater or windbreaker is encouraged but not required. Business attire and school-logo attire are NOT allowed. Please
see http://www.miskillsusa.org/forms.html for the National Competition Clothing list.
• Women: White collared shirt, black pants or skirt no shorter
than 2” above the knee, skin-tone seamless hose, and close
toed dress shoes OR appropriate National competition clothing.
• Men: White collared shirt, black pants, black socks, and
dress shoes OR appropriate National competition clothing.
Social and Free Time: Neat casual clothing is acceptable. Shoes
must be worn when in public areas. Items not acceptable include
hats, bathing suits (unless at the pool), and suggestive attire. Shirts
must have sleeves and no bare midriff. Skirts and shorts must be at
least fingertip length.
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Envision Tomorrow Today
Winter 2015
Thank You!
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Page 11
SkillsUSA Michigan would like to express a special thanks to the following supporters for their contributions
in the form of prizes, scholarships, donations and contest materials.
2 Unique Catering
Access Business Group
Air National Guard
AIS Construction Equipment
Altra Products
Ambrose Solutions
American Speed Co.
Americrown
Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
Ann Arbor Graphic Arts Memorial Trust
Fundation, Inc.
Ann Arbor Memorial Scholarship
APEX Controls, Inc.
Arbor Grove
Army Food Service Specialist
Art Institute of Michigan
Associated General Contractors
Audi USA
BAC Local 9
Baker College of Flint
Baker College of Jackson
Bay College
Beauty Sparks LLC
Blushing Goddess Salon
Bosch
BOSS Plow
Brown Bag & Eatery
Bryan Equipment Sales
Buttercream Bakeshop
Capital Area Career Center
Careerline Tech Center
Car-O-Liner Co.
Cengage Learning (Chilton)
Central Power Systems
Chef Martell’s Restaurant
Chelten Benefits Group
Chief Architect, Inc.
Children’s Museum
CISCO Systems
Collision Repair Education Foundation
Communities in Schools
Compass Group
D. Sniderman Co.
Dave Knapp Ford
Delcam
Denken Engineered Electric, Inc.
Department of Corrections
Detroit Club of Printing House Craftsmen
Detroit Diesel Corp.
Detroit Entertainers & Musicians News
DeWalt
Dexter
ElectroAir
Emergent BioSolutions
Euclid Automotive Supply
Eview 360
Experience Grand Rapids
Ferguson Enterprises, Inc.
Ferguson’s Lawn Equipment
Ferris State University
Festo
Finishmaster
Fire Knights LLC
Ford Motor Company
Front of the House Specialist
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General Materials
General Motors
Genzink Steel
GHSP
GM Powertrain
Grand Rapids Community College
Graphic Arts Education and Research
Foundation
Gravity Works Design
Great Clips
Greater Home/National Assn of the
Remodeling Industry
Grunwell-Cashero
Heathkit
Heidelberg USA
Illinois Tool Works
Irwin Tools
ITW Evercoat
Jacobson’s
Jameel Permanent Makeup
JC Penney Salon - Briarwood Mall
Johnson & Wales University
Johnstone Supply
JP Graphics
J-Squared Design
Julie Ivan
Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Kapnick Insurance Group
Kawasaki: Motor Corp USA Engine
Division
Keller North America
Kellogg Community College
Kenny Machining
Klave’s Marina
Kryolan Professional Makeup
Lakeland Correctional
Lansing Community College
Limbach
Lincoln Electric
Local 190/Plumbing Mech Contractors of
Washtenaw County
Lonestar Steakhouse
Lowe’s
MachinableWax.com
Macomb Community College
Macomb CTE Administrators’ Association
Madsen Wire Products Inc.
Magnum Engineering, LLC
Martin Automotive
MasterTag & Muskegon Comm. College
Mercer Cutlery
Mercury Marine
Michigan Bricklayers Training Center
Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement
Standards
Michigan Design Educators Association
Michigan International Speedway
Michigan Restaurant Association
Michigan Sandbox Party
Michigan State University
Michigan Technical Education Consultants,
LLC
Mid-Michigan MCA
Mid-Michigan Mechanical Contractors
Association
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Miller Electric Mfg. Co.
Moore Productions
Moscovic Building
Motion Mekanix
MSU College of Human Medicine
ND Industries, Inc.
Niowave, Inc.
Oakland Community College - Orchard
Ridge
Office of Career and Technical Education
Ohio Technical College
OPI
P&A Scholars Beauty School
Painters Supply & Equipment Co.
Plainfield Township Fire Department
Power Techniques Inc.
Precision Aerospace
Printing Industries of Michigan
Protégé Game Studio
Purity Gas
Raytheon
Regis Corporation/Smartstyle Division
Schoolcraft College
SGK Architecture
SME
SMWIA
Snap-On
Spencer-Geillse Salon
Springfield Township Fire Dept.
St. Clair County Community College
St. Stephen Child Care Center
State Farm
State Rep. Charles Smiley’s Office
Steelman Welding, Inc.
Steven J. Lucchesi Inc.
Sullivan University
Summit Racing Equipment
The Art Institutes
The Crown Group
The Culinary Institute of America
The Detroit Chop Shop LLC
The Hair Shop
Tough Dog Solutions
Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
U. S. Army, Great Lakes Recruiting
Battalion
U.S. Brick
UA Local 174
Universal Forest Products, Inc.
Universal Technical Institute
University of Northwestern Ohio
Washtenaw Community College
Waug Electrical Service
WBFH 88.1 FM, The Biff
Web Ascender
Weir Construction
West Michigan Center for Arts and
Technology
West Michigan Mechanical Contractors
Association
Western Michigan University
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Winter 2015
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Envision Tomorrow Today
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