State Tech welcomes 2,300 registrants from 56 schools to SkillsUSA

By Neal A. Johnson, UD Editor
Posted 4/13/22

SkillsUSA Missouri Director Christy McElwain said last week’s event at State Tech made a huge impact on students and advisors alike as the first in-person state conference in two years drew …

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State Tech welcomes 2,300 registrants from 56 schools to SkillsUSA

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SkillsUSA Missouri Director Christy McElwain said last week’s event at State Tech made a huge impact on students and advisors alike as the first in-person state conference in two years drew 2,300 registrants from 56 schools across the state.   

“Students didn’t realize what they were missing until they arrived and advisors commented that it was the best SkillsUSA State Conference they had ever attended,” she said. “Students worked hard and had a great time. Now that our students have been given a taste of a SkillsUSA Conference, we anticipate them to come back wanting more.”

McElwain added that the conference wouldn’t have been possible without title partner State Tech. “Their staff assisted us with coordinating and judging events, inputting scores, and everything in between,” she said.

She expressed her appreciation to State Tech Coordinator Nikky Nilges, the maintenance crew, and cafeteria workers. “Their efforts are much appreciated,” McElwain said.

Gov. Mike Parson helped launch the SkillsUSA State Conference on Thursday.

“I’m a firm believer there’s a purpose in life for all of us,” said Parson of his move from Lt. Governor to Governor in 2018. “The challenge for me as a father and grandparent, and as someone who is truly living the American dream was, how do I make sure the next generations have that opportunity?” Parson said. “From day one, I tried to figure out the most important things I could do to change your lives.”

Parson said that first, he needed to make sure youth get a good education. “That was foremost,” he added. “I don’t care if you live in downtown St. Louis or Kansas City, or if you live on a farm, I’ve got to find a way to get every child an education. That’s a priority for me.”

Next is to make sure students complete their education, and third, Parson said he needs to make sure people get into the workforce, regardless of where it takes them.

“I don’t focus on whether it’s a college degree,” said Parson, noting that some may go into medicine or engineering, or many other professions. “Others, like me, may decide to go into the workforce. You’re going to find your niche in life.”

The governor went on to say he wants to provide students with those opportunities and ensure they can meet their dreams and the future of Missouri.

“I’ll tell you, and I’ve earned most of this gray hair, I took the burden on my shoulders, and your parents and grandparents have, to make sure we maintain who we are — in this country, and who we are in this state — and what we believe in,” said Parson, alluding to the fact that SkillsUSA kicked off with the Star Spangled Banner. “I want to make sure you believe in the flag of the United States of America and the Pledge of Allegiance. That’s been passed down to you today. My day as a leader will come to an end at some point. You will be the next leaders in every capacity, whether you’re a school teacher, a welder, a builder, in cybersecurity, the automotive industry, healthcare, law enforcement, or whatever it might be. All of you will take your place in society to be able to do your job and make it better.”

As governor, Parson said he told his senior staff on day one that it’s never about being the best in a given field. “True leaders make people around them better,” he said. “I’ve learned that in a lifetime. Many of you will become leaders, as you are today. You’re in a leadership role or you wouldn’t be here today at State Tech in SkillsUSA. You wouldn’t be involved. Someone in your life looks up to you every day and you have an opportunity to set the example of what you want to see this state and country look like. It’s called loyalty to one another. It’s about being good neighbors and helping one another out. It’s not always about headlines. It’s about what you do behind the scenes.”

Parson added that the obligation to be leaders will be upon the high school and college students at SkillsUSA, and when that happens, he encouraged them to embrace it.

Growing up in a small town, the son of simple farmers, Parson said he wasn’t the best of students but two teachers looked out for him. “I did the best I could do and I encourage my kids and grandkids to do better than what I did,” he added.

In that small town there were two flags, Parson said. One American flag flew over the school, and another flew over the post office.

“We said the Pledge of Allegiance every day in school but I didn’t understand the true meaning until I served my country in the United States Army,” he said. “I realized at that time when I wore the flag on my sleeve at 19 years old how important that was to my life. What I really learned was it was about all the people who wore that uniform before I did and the sacrifices they made. You wouldn’t be here today if not for your moms and dads, grandparents, and our forefathers.”

Parson said things like the Constitution and Bill of Rights have been passed down from one generation to the next. “It’s your time to keep the American dream alive,” he said. “You are the future of this state and this country, but this responsibility will be the best you ever have because you’re going to maintain the American dream, and only you can do it. I encourage everyone to do the best they can. As I tell my grandkids, every day is a good day; some days are just better than others.”

State Tech President Dr. Shawn Strong told students at SkillsUSA on Thursday that though he holds four degrees, the most valuable is the two-year Associate of Applied Science he earned at a community college.

More than 25 years ago, Dr. Strong said, he was in his second year of an HVAC program. “I clearly remember not being asked to participate in SkillsUSA. While I think I did all right for myself, I didn’t have the skills that many of you have.”

That AAS taught him critical thinking skills and ultimately led him to become the ninth president of State Tech, one of the best two-year schools in the country.

“You have skills that will take you far in life,” Dr. Strong continued. “My advice: use your skills and your vocation to be the very best at what you do.”

Perhaps the most significant aspect of education is putting in the time, along with taking advantage of the opportunities presented. “You’ll find in life that just showing up is half the battle,” he said. “If you take advantage of the opportunities that are presented, other doors will open for you.”

Some, he noted, will follow a path similar to the competitions they planned to undertake at SkillsUSA. Others will find different passions in life.

“Some of you will come to State Tech next fall, and if you haven’t heard, we do a pretty darn good job,” said Dr. Strong, noting the college has been named number one by WalletHub for the last three years, Forbes ranked State Tech third-best in the country, and other institutions have likewise given the college high marks.

State Tech has the second-best graduation rate in the country as well, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.

“I’m a little bit biased but no one does technical education better than State Tech,” said Dr. Strong. “We know you have a lot of options when it comes to college.”

He added that State Tech participates in the A+ Program, which means students who qualify can attend for free.

Dr. Strong encouraged students to consider the college, and said, “From the classroom to your career, State Tech is the employers’ choice.”

Missouri Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven said her goal is to ensure that every student has the opportunity to get a quality education to ensure success.

“Whatever that looks like,” she added. “Our schools are helping develop the leaders of tomorrow and that’s you, the next generation of Missouri’s workforce.

Career and technical student organizations like SkillsUSA are preparing the future workforce with real-world skills that will be crucial to long-term success.

Vandeven reminded students of the skills learned during the last two years amid the pandemic, including learning to be flexible during trying times. She added that developing new ways to conduct business in a difficult time is another skill many have learned.

“We’re so proud of you and your hard work, and we can’t wait to see all that you will do in the years to come,” she said.

Founded in 1965, SkillsUSA is dedicated to ensuring that America has high-quality workers. There are more than 350,000 students and advisors that join the national education nonprofit association each year.

This conference offered students the chance to showcase the skills they have learned through career and technical education (CTE) programs and boasted more than 70 competitions that highlighted the practical applications of the knowledge received through these programs. 

Winners from the 2022 Missouri SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Conference will represent Missouri at the annual National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta, Ga., later this year.