SkillsUSA Louisiana News Flash!!!!!
We are pleased to announce that SkillsUSA Louisiana High School and Louisiana College/Post-Secondary have formally partnered for the 2025 State Leadership and Skills Conference. The event will be held at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. This new venue will enable both organizations to host the championships concurrently in a single location. Additionally, we anticipate organizing a TECHSPO, open to all schools and students, serving as a comprehensive Career and Technical Career Fair. Further details will be finalized and communicated as soon as possible.
SkillsUSA Week is Coming: Are You Ready?
It’s time to get energized for SkillsUSA Week, Feb. 2-8! Your chapter should plan activities that build greater awareness of SkillsUSA and increase member engagement as you recognize education and industry supporters. This is the time for members to grow their skills and demonstrate that SkillsUSA is an important factor in their personal and professional development!
To get started, download the SkillsUSA Week program guide and select activities for each day of the week. The guide includes artwork, a sample SkillsUSA Week proclamation, a draft school press release and more.
Be sure to order SkillsUSA merchandise and materials early! The SkillsUSA Store offers great gifts for hard-working advisors, dedicated supporters or for chapter officers to wear at your events. The store also offers a SkillsUSA Week bundle to make events feel festive and professional. You can order 24 hours a day and shipping is fast and free.
Request a virtual visit from a national officer during SkillsUSA Week! National officers can join your students for a 30-minute session on Feb. 4 to provide greetings and take your group through a fun lesson. Complete the virtual visit request form by Jan. 30. Act quickly! Spots are limited and national officers are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Finally, are you looking for ways to host your SkillsUSA Week events? Apply for the SkillsUSA Week Local Chapter Grant. Submit your application outlining your detailed plans for the week using the form located on our SkillsUSA Week webpage. Five local chapters will be chosen to receive grants to execute their event plans. We encourage you to apply and make this the best SkillsUSA Week yet!
New Professional Development for Instructors
SkillsUSA is offering free virtual Professional Development Training Sessions in January and February. Check out the Professional Development page on our website where you’ll find training information and our featured Activity of the Month. Don’t miss out on these resources to enhance your chapter's programming! Class size is limited, so be sure to register to secure your place. Participants will earn a Professional Development (PD) certificate. For questions, contact Karolina Belen.
Proposed Bylaw Amendments
You may now submit proposed bylaw amendments for the middle school, high school or college/postsecondary divisions for consideration by the House of Delegates at the 2025 National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC). Proposed amendments must be submitted in writing via this form by Friday, Jan. 24, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The SkillsUSA National Executive Council and board of directors will review proposed amendments. Proposed amendments will then be submitted to each state association not less than 60 days before NLSC. Proposed amendments will then be presented for vote at the official business meeting of the House of Delegates at NLSC. Bylaw amendments are governed by Article XII of the high school and college/postsecondary bylaws and Article X of the middle school bylaws. View the bylaws and the form to submit proposed amendments.
SkillsUSA College/Postsecondary Scholarships Are Open!
Many students are thinking ahead to the cost of college and SkillsUSA offers exclusive scholarship opportunities for members pursuing postsecondary education. Registered SkillsUSA members with upcoming tuition expenses for the summer or fall 2025 academic term \can apply for scholarships provided by SkillsUSA and our industry partners. The following scholarships opened on Jan. 2:
· Bob Westphal Memorial Scholarship (closes May 30)
· Clifford “Ted” Rees Memorial Scholarship ($2,500, closes April 15)
· Fine Homebuilding #KeepCraftAlive Scholarship ($2,500, closes April 15)
· Larry Rash Memorial Scholarship ($2,500, closes April 15)
· Marsha Daves Memorial Scholarship ($1,500, closes April 15)
· National Technical Honor Society Scholarship ($1,000, closes April 15)
· Sharon Melton Myers Memorial ($1,000, closes April 1)
SkillsUSA partners with Kaleidoscope to provide a streamlined application platform. Encourage your students to explore the SkillsUSA Scholarships webpage now to view available opportunities and more will be posted soon. For scholarship questions or assistance in applying, reach out to Customer Care.
Share Your Community Service Stories with SkillsUSA!
The SkillsUSA Champions digital hub provides new content frequently, from inspiring features to stories about the great work chapters and partners are doing. We know your chapters are doing some amazing community service work this winter and we would love to write about it. To submit a story, send us the details through our “Submit a Story” link, and we’ll contact you.
Honorary Life and Outstanding Educator Nominations Open
If you would like to nominate someone for recognition by SkillsUSA as an Honorary Life or Outstanding Educator, please complete the online applications. Be sure to notify those you nominate and provide all of the information that is requested. Learn more about these awards and eligibility by visiting the Awards Programs page on the SkillsUSA website. The deadline is Feb. 14, 2025. For questions, contact Madison Kraemer.
Seeking Musical Talent to Perform National Anthem at NLSC
If you have a musical gift to share with the SkillsUSA community and love to perform, apply to perform the national anthem at the Opening Session of the 2025 National Leadership & Skills Conference. The chosen performer will be offered a spotlight performance opportunity on the big stage in front of over 15,000 people plus complimentary conference registration if your sole purpose of attendance is to perform the national anthem. Apply here by 5 p.m. ET on Feb. 14, 2025. For questions, contact Melinda Lloyd.
Register Members by the March 1 Deadline
The national SkillsUSA membership deadline is March 1. Student members must meet both state and national membership deadlines to be eligible for national competitions, to serve as voting delegates or to run for national office. This deadline also applies to national scholarships, awards and honors. For information on state membership deadlines, visit the State Association Dues and Deadlines link.
Professional members, it isn’t too late to take advantage of your 2024-25 membership benefits, including access to these resources:
· Framework Integration Toolkit
· Program of Work Toolkit
· Championships Technical Standards
· Jump into Stem!
· E-Courses
· Advisor Professional Development
Learn how to join and access your professional membership benefits in this video tutorial.
2025 Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Youth Grant Applications Open
SkillsUSA chapters can apply for the Youth Service America (YSA) 15th Annual Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Youth Grants program. YSA, with the support of the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation, is offering project grants to youth changemakers, ages 5 to 25, to lead awareness, direct service, advocacy and philanthropic projects that focus on ending childhood hunger in their communities. Youth may apply for grants of $500 for projects that engage at least 50 other youth as volunteers (project planners, project leaders and day-of volunteers) in activities that help end childhood hunger in their community. Learn more and apply by Jan. 26 at YSA.org/Sodexo.
SME Foundation Scholarships Open
The SME Education Foundation awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors and current college students pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree in technical fields that directly support manufacturing. Applications will be accepted until Feb. 1, 2025. With more than 60 scholarship programs, the SME Foundation provides merit and need-based scholarships, renewing and one-time awards, and seeks applications from all eligible students including women and under-represented communities. The Foundation awards nearly $1 million dollars in scholarships each year and has awarded $18 million dollars to over 5,000 future industry leaders since 2005. By submitting one application, you will be considered for all SME Foundation scholarships if you are eligible.
Seeking Innovative Chapters to Prototype a New Product
SkillsUSA is collaborating with Make48 to bring hands-on innovation challenges to more students in the 2025-26 school year. Beginning in August, teams of students will compete to innovate and prototype a new product for a business. The team whose product has the best potential to go to market, as chosen by the business, will advance to compete in a regional playoff competition featured in Make48’s Roku television series. Check out this sizzle reel showcasing the work of SkillsUSA Wisconsin students in 2024! SkillsUSA hopes to fill 25% of the Make48 national tournament bracket, which would lead to a SkillsUSA-themed competition and TV show for the playoffs and ensure SkillsUSA representation at the finals.
Applications for the 2025-26 tournament close on March 1. To learn more, visit www.make48.com or fill out the interest form.
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