The SkillsUSA program sets itself apart from the other school activities at CHS because of how it prepares its students for the future. SkillsUSA is an American career and technical student organization serving more than 395,000 high schools, colleges, and middle schools.

SkillsUSA is for students and professional members enrolled in training programs in trade, technical or skilled service occupations. The goal of this program is to ensure that America has a skilled workforce.  

Tracy Dodson is in charge of SkillsUSA and has been for more than 25 years at CHS. Dodson and fellow CHS STEM teacher Ron Haefner brought the program to CHS in 1990. Dodson states the reason why SkillsUSA was started in the first place is because the American workforce is in dire need of these skills. 

As of right now, the CHS Chapter of SkillsUSA boasts 22 members in its lineup.  Most of the general meetings are held on the third Monday of each month in room H111 where all the members discuss their respective events.  Everyone and anyone can join the SkillsUSA program. 

The members of SkillsUSA attend four different conferences, those being the Fall Leadership, Mid-America, State Leadership, and the Skills Conference. The State Leadership conferences last two and half days with over 100 schools attending the last conference where the statewide champions are crowned. There have been a number of state champions from CHS.

CHS's state champions from this year's conference include Cole Hottovy in cabinet-making, Fisher Cyza in technical math, Derek Glasshoff in sheet metal, and Blake Raemakers in mechatronics. Runners up included Amelia Cyza in Architectural Drafting and Tristan Kamm in Motorcycle Service Technology. 

Each of those state champions qualified to represent Nebraska at the National SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Contest in Atlanta, Georgia on June 20-24. SkillsUSA is a great place where anyone can join and test their skills for not just the school, but for the American workforce in general. 

If you are interested and have any more questions about the SkillsUSA program keep an eye out for an announcement from Mr. Ben Loeffholz who will take the reins of next year's club.

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