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President - Stephanie O'Mara
Winter High School
Stephanie@skillsusa-wi.org
Going into my freshman year, I knew right away I wanted to get involved with SkillsUSA. Coming from a school with only about 120 students, 9th - 12th grade, we don't have many opportunities. We have a couple options for sports, SkillsUSA, and then other choices like Student Council, Class Offices, etc. All of my upperclassmen friends were in SkillsUSA and they told me I HAD to be in it. So I gave it a shot, and started out just competing. I've been an active competitor in Opening and Closing Ceremonies and Job Interview since my freshman year. After going to the State Conference that year, I knew I wanted to be more involved so I ran for state office. During the 2006-2007 school year, I held the District 1 Vice President position and I learned SO much. I went from not being able to speak in front of a classroom of 20 people to being able to get in front of the WI State Conference and be able to talk to anyone and everyone. This year, I ran for the position of State President, and got it, but seeing how much SkillsUSA did for me - I wanted to do more. I ran for national office. Everyone says I ran an amazing race and did a job that everyone was proud of, and even through the disappointment of not making it - I learned so much and met SO many people. SkillsUSA has literally changed my life for the better and I want to stay involved to let anyone I can know about how great of an organization it is is, and what it can do for them. |
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Vice President - Cassie Florianschitz
Bay Port High School. Green Bay
Cassie@skillsusa-wi.org
My freshman year I had received a packet listing all the clubs that my school had to offer. As I read through one had popped out to me: SkillsUSA. I had never heard of SkillsUSA before then, I decided to attend an informational meeting to see what it was about. I found out months later, as our chapter attended the Fall Leadership Conference and worked on our areas in competition, that this was the best chance I had ever taken. I don't hesitate to stand up or out in a crowd anymore. I also participate in cross-country and track. |
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Treasurer - Sean Phillips
Howards Grove High School
sean@skillsusa-wi.org
The reason I am in SkillsUSA is because of the leadership I will gain. I truly didn't see myself doing this and something told me I should. I started in eighth grade with CO2 Dragster and that is when I found this organization. From there I stayed with it even though my friends dropped out. To me SkillsUSA was a get away from life. Becoming an officer was probably the best decision for me because I believe in this organization a lot and I have great potential in life being involved in it. Being a state officer has already taught me some great leadership and I can’t wait for this up coming school year! |
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Secretary - Ana Curiel
Green Bay East High School
ana@skillsusa-wi.org
I have been interested in the architectural and engineering field ever since I entered high school. I started talking classes my freshman year, just for me to get a taste and to see if it was really my thing. I really enjoyed the materials as well as the classes. From there, I learned that I am going to go into one of those fields. During my sophomore year, I remember the older students from my architectural drafting class were talking about SkillsUSA. I ask them what they were talking about, and they told me to check it out at one of their meetings. I was interested and attended their first meeting. I was fascinated so I joined. I helped in the fundraising and competed in architectural drafting that year at State Conference. I had the greatest time. My junior year was the biggy. I got into an apprenticeship program, and got an awesome job at Kruger International, working with industrial engineers and mechanical engineers. My advisor knew much of what I was into, and thought that I was SkillsUSA material. He encouraged me to run for office, and it was quite frightening at the time. But what really encouraged me to run was the thought that I have a lot to offer. As a SkillsUSA member you can gain not only experience, but knowledge. And what I want to offer to the rest is the bit of knowledge I have gained over the years. I am involved in SkillsUSA because it is simply fun. I have a great time when I am in an atmosphere where students are acting professional and are having a blast while doing so. |
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Parliamentarian - Kelsey Mehlhof
Waunakee High School
Kelsey@skillsusa-wi.org |
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Historian - Matt Jones
Bradford High School, Kenosha
matt@skillsusa-wi.org
The career field I want to get into is the automotive trade and SkillsUSA gave me this opportunity to see how well my trade knowledge stacks up against other student technicians. I decided to become a state officer because I knew it would give me the opportunity to become an important part of the organization and the opportunity to travel and meet new people. |
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Reporter - Brandy Kopa
Winter High School
brandy@skillsusa-wi.org
Growing up in a very small town, you always have your local hero's. The ones that all the younger students looked up to. In my small town of about 350 people I always looked up to the older students who wore the red blazers. As soon as I started high school my local advisor recruited me for SkillsUSA and started talking to me about running for state office. I was so excited, and jumped at the opportunity and ran for it. I am proudly your 2007-2008 State Reporter. I competed in Prepared Speech and Opening and Closing Ceremonies at the State Conference. In my free time I enjoy hanging out with my friends, playing basketball, reading, and running in cross-country. |
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