Two MVCTC Students Selected as State of Ohio SkillsUSA Officers for 2020-2021

06/22/2020

Englewood, Ohio – Miami Valley Career Technology Center (MVCTC) is happy to announce that two Class of 2021 Graphic Commercial Art students were selected for the 2020-2021 State of Ohio SkillsUSA Officer Team. Lauren Adams (Twin Valley South) and Paige Phillips (Northwestern Schools) were announced as state officers on June 8, 2020.

MVCTC, Public Information Coordinator, Mrs. Kelly Herzog, recently conducted a digital interview with both students.

“Congratulations to both of you! So exciting to have MVCTC students recognized and selected as State SkillsUSA officers! What was the process of becoming a SkillsUSA State Officer?”
- Paige - “The process to apply as a State SkillsUSA officer is simple but takes dedication to prove you can be a qualifying candidate. This year it had to be all online due to the Corona Virus. Once you apply, you are sent an email with a packet. You fill out personal information and questions, then have signatures from your guardians and school. After that, you write a speech around two minutes in length about yourself, leadership skills, and why you want to be an officer. After recording yourself, you go on to an online interview with some past officers, and important staff members. Then you wait for results. I was beyond excited after receiving the call!”
- Lauren – “The first step of becoming a state officer is studying SkillsUSA basics and taking a knowledge test. After that, we were required to give a two-minute speech about what we would bring to the table as a SkillsUSA State Officer. Finally, we participated in an interview and answered leadership and teamwork questions.”
“What made you decide to run for a SkillsUSA State Office?”
- Paige – “I had decided to run after experiencing SkillsUSA at the Ohio Fall 2019 Fall Conference, I wanted to help the organization, and spread the word of the wonderful opportunities it provided.”
- Lauren – “SkillsUSA positively impacted my life because it gave me a chance to step outside my comfort zone. Since the Fall Conference, I have felt as if my public speaking has improved drastically. It would be my greatest honor and achievement as a State Officer if I could provide somebody else with the same gift SkillsUSA gave me.”
“What will you do this year as a state officer?”
- Paige – “This year as a State Officer, we will learn leadership skills, attend and organize fall conference and the state competitions, participate as national voting delegates, and much more.”
- Lauren – “This year as a State Officer, I hope to guide and help other members to succeed. I will have the opportunity to help lead at Fall Conference and officer training in Washington D.C. There are plenty of other opportunities such as state competition and summer camp to look forward to!”
“How did your first year at MVCTC help you when running for the state officer position?”
- Paige – “I am beyond thankful for the support my Graphic Art teachers and friends gave Lauren and me as we ran for SkillsUSA and attempted competitions along the way. I learned valuable workplace skills, communication, and had the push to crack through my shell and attempt public speaking.”
- Lauren – “I believe just attending MVCTC puts students in a position where they have to use communication skills to adjust to a new environment. Speaking to a class full of strangers at the beginning of my junior year definitely helped me communicate with delegates and give a speech with confidence.”
What are your plans after you graduate high school and complete your Graphic Art program at MVCTC?
- Paige - “I am beyond excited for my senior year at Miami Valley CTC! Once I graduate, I plan on attending The Modern College of Design in Kettering and work toward an associate and bachelor’s degree. I am very enthusiastic and hope to represent MVCTC to my best ability!”
- Lauren – “I hope to attend Sinclair Community College and get my associate’s degree in Visual Communications. After that, I hope to further my education in VisCom and transfer to Ohio University to get my bachelor’s degree.”