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New Madrid County R-1 SkillsUSA brings home national title
NEW MADRID, Mo. — The six students from the New Madrid County R-1’s Career and Technical Center knew they were competing against the best of the best when they entered the doors of the Georgia World Conference Center for the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta in June. They admit they were nervous, they were also determined.
That determination, along with hours of practice, enabled them to bring home first place in the “personal skills” category for the 2023 SkillsUSA Models of Excellence, which recognizes chapter achievement as it relates to personal, workplace and technical skills. The win made them the first Missouri SkillsUSA Chapter to earn the honor.
To go along with their gold medals, the teens earned silver medals for second place in the community service championship. A fifth place finish in the screen printing competition added to their success.
Dawson Boggs, a 2023 New Madrid County Central High School graduate, and Gracie McMackin, a senior at NMCC this fall, were the presenters for the R-1 SkillsUSA chapter in the Model of Excellence competition.
To be selected as a Model of Excellence, each chapter had to achieve SkillsUSA “Gold Chapter” status through an application process. A committee then identified the top chapters nationally for each SkillsUSA Framework component, resulting in 24 finalists. All finalists gave a presentation followed by a question-and-answer session to a panel of judges representing various facets of business and industry.
Boggs said he was well-aware they were competing against presenters who were state office holders in SkillsUSA.
“After talking with other contestants we didn’t think we stood a chance because they present things every day,” he said. “But as we listened to the other projects that people were doing, the ones I heard sounded like the projects weren’t really helping anybody but a project to do to enter the contest. What we did was a really good thing. That gave me hope.”
Boggs and McMackin told the judges how the chapter’s Community Day project brought together students and community volunteers to build beds and benches for foster children, collect hygiene supplies and assist with gathering aluminum cans to purchase bicycles. They outlined how the project enabled the SkillsUSA members to put into practice responsibility along with organizational and communication skills.
McMackin said the judges questions were detailed. They wanted to know how the chapter earned a grant from Lowe’s to fund their efforts and how they inspired students to participate.
Makayla Birdwell, Chloe Polk and Avery Towery, who will be seniors at NMCC this fall, were the presenters in the community service competition. They, too, used the chapter’s Community Day project for their presentation.
Polk explained the project began as they learned about the number of foster care children locally.
“We told them about everything that was done during Community Day and they were impressed, very impressed,” Birdwell said, adding some of the judges even got a bit teary as they told them of the project’s impact.
But even with the judges’ reaction, Birdwell said they were afraid they had not done enough.
“Five minutes before the award ceremony even started, we were just balling our eyes out because even though we had made it this far, we didn’t think we would place,” she said. “Then when we got called on stage, it was whew.”
Iliana Zuniga, a CTE student from Risco High School, competed in screen printing technology at Nationals. While she placed a very impressive fifth she has set a goal to medal next year.
The honors are nice but R-1 CTE SkillsUSA sponsors Gloria Houston and Katherine Stanley said the real prize is what the students gained long before they arrived in Atlanta.
“SkillsUSA allows so many students multiple opportunities they would otherwise not have in their lives – the friendships, the competition, the things they learn about themselves, the places they visit,” said Stanley. “It all makes for a more well-rounded teenager and it is something they will benefit from the rest of their lives.”
“Our students continually impress me with their enthusiasm for learning and serving others,” said Houston. “They really feel a sense of personal accomplishment and come away with the individual growth, confidence and relevant skills needed to succeed in the workplace and in life. Seeing them become the best version of themselves by applying Framework skills to each chapter activity is rewarding.”
The students agreed.
McMackin described SkillsUSA and the opportunity to compete on the national stage as a life-changing experience.
“I think since being at Nationals and meeting all the people from different areas really got me out of my comfort zone. Now I try to be more open and inspire others by being the best I can be,” she said.
Polk said she feels more confident as she begins her senior year.
Towery added every student should join SkillsUSA.
“It is very beneficial on building leadership skills which is something every student needs,” she said. “The Community Day project required a lot of networking with business leaders. I feel like no matter what career you go into whether you are a teacher or a business leader you are going to have to network with people.”
Boggs said his life is testimony to the differences SkillsUSA can make.
“I was always social but I got even more socially interactive. I learned a lot of basic skills and a lot of things I never thought I would ever learn in my life,” he said.
Because of his health science classes at the CTE, Boggs is now working in a hospital emergency room and has applied to nursing school. He also encourages others to become involved in SkillsUSA.
“When you are helping other people you can meet a lot of people that can lead you in the right direction.” he said. “It can change your life.”