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Delaware SkillsUSA “First State Flash” Newsletter (8 September 2026)

Welcome Back, Team Delaware!

A message from Andrea Keen, State Director, SkillsUSA Delaware

Welcome back, advisors! I hope this first edition of the First State Flash finds you rested, recharged, and ready for what I already know is going to be a remarkable year.

Before we look ahead, let’s take a moment to celebrate how far we came together in 2025–2026, because you earned every bit of it. Last year, SkillsUSA Delaware didn’t just grow. We broke records.

  • We reached an all-time high of 1,233 student members across 20 active chapters — the largest membership in our state’s history, and nearly double where we stood just four years ago.
  • We sent our largest delegation ever to the National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta: 119 students and advisors strong.
  • And Team Delaware delivered on the national stage: six national gold medalists across four competitions, plus 44 students earning industry-endorsed Skill Point Certificates.

This only happens because of you. Every chapter that grew, every competitor who advanced, every student who found their confidence this year did so because an advisor believed in them and put in the work.

Thank you for an outstanding year!

This edition of the First State Flash also looks ahead to the 2026–2027 school year, with important updates on upcoming state and national conferences, membership registration deadlines, industry partnerships, career resources, and professional development opportunities for advisors.

Read the full newsletter for more highlights, important dates, and information to help prepare for the year ahead.

View the full newsletter:

First State Flash – 8 September 2026

Evelyn Mazaba-Gonzaga

Delcastle Technical High School

[email protected]

Devin Jones

Delcastle Technical High School

I’m an upcoming senior at Delcastle Technical High School and thrilled to represent Delaware SkillsUSA as a 2026-2027 State Officer. During my service, I seek to encourage more members to get involved in SkillsUSA. My experiences in SkillsUSA have helped me understand how strong leadership can positively influence a team and create opportunities for others to succeed. It is my intention to lead by example, for I believe actions are stronger than words.

[email protected]

Mark Smith

Delcastle Technical High School

I’m going into my junior year at Delcastle Tech. High School, and I’m proud to represent Delaware SkillsUSA as a state officer. I’m happy to serve with my peers, and I hope to expand my knowledge and leave a positive impact on the team. With the skills and experience I gain, I have a goal to run for national office next year. I’m eager to face challenges and create meaningful connections throughout the year. For the 2026-2027 year, I hope to expand understanding of the framework for students involved with SkillsUSA, as the skills in the framework set students up for lifelong-careers.

[email protected]

Bianca Vazquez

Polytech Highschool

I am currently a rising senior at Polytech High School and I am honored to currently be serving as a SkillsUSA state officer. In this chapter I will commit to getting more people involved in Skills and truly make sure people know what SkillsUSA is.This will ensure more people have career readiness towards their future. I am very happy to be representing the state of Delaware and to be gaining knowledge to pass down to my peers.I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to making a lasting impact within my community.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. [email protected]

Juliette Carman

Polytech Highschool

I am currently a rising senior attending POLYTECH Highschool and it is my first year proudly serving as a Delaware State Officer for SkillsUSA. With this title comes great responsibility, so I will exhaust every effort to make sure I represent and advocate for every career and technical education student in my state. My main goal for the 2026-2027 season is to get more people involved in SkillsUSA. The more students and my chapter can get informed about the goals of our organization, the more people we can help become career-ready individuals in the workforce. I believe some of my most valuable contributions to my team are my problem solving skills and my ability to connect with others and make connections. This responsibility is something that I am very grateful for and will use my passion for SkillsUSA as a foundation of my service.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. [email protected].

Jacob Madden

Polytech Highschool

I  am a rising senior at Polytech High School and currently serve as a Delaware SkillsUSA State Officer, representing career and technical education students across Delaware. In this role, I collaborate with student leaders, educators, and industry partners while strengthening my leadership, public speaking, and teamwork skills. I take pride in representing my peers and helping inspire students to grow personally, professionally, and as future leaders. In addition,I am a hardworking, dedicated, and driven individual with a strong work ethic and a passion for continuous learning. I strive to make a positive impact in every role I take on and am always eager to embrace new challenges, develop new skills, and create meaningful opportunities for growth.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. [email protected].