ICTC's WELCOMES BACK SKILLS USA

(November 21, 2008)...   The Indiana County Technology Center calendar is jam-packed with many events this year. Most recently four students traveled to Seven Springs for the SkillsUSA Western Region Leadership Conference held November 5-7. SkillsUSA is a new but returning leadership club at the ICTC. “SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations. It was formerly known as VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America).” The SkillsUSA mission is to help students become world-class workers and responsible American citizens.

Accompanied by Ms. Sandy Zulick (Cosmetology Instructor), the four students had three days of instruction to improve their employability and leadership skills. Kelly Haase and Brooke Brenner both from Culinary Arts, Tara Coleman from Digital Media Technology, and Rachel Leonard from Cosmetology were the four students to attend the sessions. Each session that they attended had a different focus. The sessions mainly focused on developing communication skills, management skills, team building, problem solving, networking with others, and seeking and retaining jobs. Tara Coleman reported that the workshops were a lot of fun. She described one session that was set up like survivor and a team of people who had never met before had to try to succeed at the challenge they were given. Tara also stated, “you get to meet new people, but it is also to be professional.”

As the ICTC prepares for the holiday season many of the clubs are active in community events. The Student Government Association (SGA), under the guidance of Robert Piccirillo, Culinary Arts Instructor, put a new twist on raising money for Children’s Hospital Teddy Bear Fund Drive this year. Every Friday, starting November 14 until December 19, the SGA will be selling snacks to the ICTC students. All profits raised will go to the Teddy Bear Fund Drive.

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