“Elevate” Conference Inspires SkillsUSA Delaware Leaders

Friday, October 18, 2024

The National SkillsUSA Elevate Conference, a virtual experience for local chapter officer teams held on Tuesday, October 8, has left a lasting impact on Delaware high school students. The conference, designed to equip officers with the skills to lead and serve their chapter members, has empowered students to take their leadership to new heights.

Sarah Sacksteder, SkillsUSA Advisor and Associate Director of State Officers at POLYTECH High School in Woodside, Delaware, emphasized the importance of communication in chapter success. “Elevate was a great opportunity to discuss our chapter’s focus for the year and to interact with other SkillsUSA chapters across the nation,” she said. “Communication is going to be a big focus on our chapter this year to get more members interested in SkillsUSA.”

Anthony Tiberi, SkillsUSA Advisor from Delcastle Technical High School in Wilmington, Delaware, and Associate Director of Communications and Marketing for Delaware SkillsUSA, was particularly impressed with the collaboration and energy of the student leaders who participated. “It was our first time joining this growing conference. We joined with our sister schools, Hodgson Vo-Tech and Howard H.S. of Technology, to bring this virtual experience to life for our NCCVT (New Castle County Vo-Tech School District) student leaders. We want to continue to participate to develop and strengthen our student leaders’ capabilities,” he said.

One of the key lessons learned by many participants was the importance of effective communication. Cameron Hyde, a 12th-grade student at POLYTECH High School, shared, “The most valuable skill I learned at the Elevate Conference is how to better communicate with my team and advisor.” He added, “I plan to apply these skills by voicing more of my ideas and listening more to other ideas.”

The Elevate conference also deepened students’ understanding of the SkillsUSA Framework, a set of essential skills that students should develop to succeed in the workplace. Amaziah Rulamka, a junior at POLYTECH High School, said, “The conference helped me understand how to apply myself and be a great leader.” By understanding the framework, students can better equip themselves for future careers and personal development.

Kaiden Brown, a senior at Delcastle Technical High School and a SkillsUSA Delaware State Officer, was particularly inspired by the conference’s focus on inclusivity. “The most valuable thing I learned was all the different ways my team wanted to work together to make SkillsUSA more inclusive,” she said. “I plan to work with other chapter leaders to fundraise and make SkillsUSA more accessible.” By fostering a more inclusive environment, Brown hopes to encourage more students to participate in SkillsUSA and benefit from its programs.

The Elevate conference not only equipped Delaware high school students with valuable leadership skills but also inspired them to pursue future opportunities within the organization. Sarah Sacksteder noted that the conference provided her with a renewed sense of enthusiasm for her role as a SkillsUSA advisor. “I cannot wait to work with my chapter officer team and state officer team this year and grow SkillsUSA more in Delaware,” she said.

Cameron Hyde also expressed his desire to continue his involvement in SkillsUSA. “My participation in Elevate inspired me to pursue future leadership opportunities within SkillsUSA because I was shown how the leadership roles can lead to better personal success and growth,” he shared.

As these students continue to grow and develop as leaders, they are poised to make a significant impact on their communities and beyond. If you’re a high school student or advisor interested in joining SkillsUSA, now is the time! Registration for the 2024-25 school year is $8.00 for students and $20.00 for advisors (professional members). The deadline to register for the state of Delaware is December 31, 2024.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to join a dynamic community of students and professionals dedicated to developing leadership skills and building a brighter future. Register for SkillsUSA today: https://www.skillsusa-register.org/Login.aspx 

About the 2025 Delaware State Conference:

The Delaware State Conference will take place in March 2025. This exciting event provides students with the chance to compete in various technical and leadership competitions, network with peers, and learn from industry professionals.