Leadership is key
A group of seven EHOVE students joined more than 230 other high school students and advisors from high schools throughout Ohio at Hocking College from July 16-20 for the SkillsUSA Summer Leadership Conference. Students received the necessary training to lead their local chapter of SkillsUSA for the year with activities including a creed challenge, leadership sessions, team building, community service project and competitions. Daily activities included: a Creed Challenge, Leadership Sessions, Team-Building Course, Community Service Project and Competitions.
Throughout the week, students worked to earn their Statesman Award. This award is to recognize team members who have demonstrated leadership skills and mastered certain requirements in leadership training. Those earning the award from EHOVE including the following students and instructors:
Name EHOVE Program Partner School
Brandon Calvert Forensic Science Vermilion HS
Faith Fay Cosmetology Bellevue HS
Megan Popke Health Tech Huron HS
Bailie Prater Health Tech South Central HS
Tayller Smythe Health Tech Bellevue HS
Jeff Warneck Construction Tech Norwalk HS
Chantal Woods Forensic Science Vermilion HS
Instructor Fay Felske Health Tech Instructor
Instructor Randy Hammill Diesel Tech Instructor
In order to earn the Statesman’s Award, students participated in SkillsUSA leadership and competitive events sponsored in part by the Ohio Army National Guard and Hocking College. On July 18, the students joined the Glouster Volunteers, a group of residents of this once-thriving coal-mining town, who are working to spruce up the community and literally paint the town. Founder Jim Cotter, 81, started the painting project to alleviate his grief following the death of his wife last year. He wanted to occupy his mind and his time by working to improve his community. The project was sponsored in part by the Wooster Paint Brush Company, Hocking . Athens . Perry Community Action, Bercom Inc., Hocking College, Tri-County Career Center and Nelsonville Krogers.
“It was a great experience learning leadership roles,” said Forensic Science student Brandon Calvert (Vermilion HS). “Helping out the community was the greatest feeling. It was unbelievable to see all the hearts warmed by the SkillsUSA campers cleaning up the community and painting the houses.”
Students also worked on community service projects like landscaping, light construction, cleanups and painting projects sponsored in part by Toolbox for Education grants from Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation.
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. The Ohio chapter provides its 31,500+ career-technical education members, which includes many EHOVE students, the opportunity to participate in local, regional, state and national competitive events, and encourages students to give back to the community through various community service activities.
PHOTO: (L-R) Front Row: Megan Popke, Bailie Prater, Tayller Smythe. Back row: Brandon Calvert, Faith Fay, Chantal Woods, Jeff Warneck.
