DAY 3: Orientation, a Lot of Steps, and Opening Ceremony!

After a breakfast of fresh fruit, blueberry and banana muffins, and a splash of Dunkin’s Iced Coffee, the Lawrence County Career and Technical Center’s SkillsUSA crew was ready for the mile-walk through three fascinatingly-beautiful hotels on Atlanta’s Sky Walk, across the brick-laid path through Atlanta’s Olympic Park, to the Georgia World Congress Center. There, they successfully located their orientation rooms within the 3.9 million square foot facility and took copious notes that would prepare them for the competition on the following day.

The Opening General Session is the kick-off event of the annual National Leadership & Skills Conference. This experience engages attendees with high-energy, participatory, and recognition components that set the tone for the week-long conference.

And then it was time for the Opening Session Speakers:

“Our first speaker has a passion for education. He was a CTE student in Connecticut in the Automotive Studies Program. He overcame a language barrier and graduated from the Connecticut State University with a master’s of science. He became a school teacher, and later, a school principal. And last year, he rose to Connecticut’s Commissioner of Education where he put a focus on equity and the well-being of children. Then, he achieved something amazing as he was selected to serve as the United States Secretary of Education.” Miguel Cardona spoke from experience as he shared his commitment to the importance of career and technical education.

If hearing from the highest person serving our nation’s school system wasn’t enough, we were delighted by the message from the CEO of Snap On Tools, Nicholas T. Pinchuk. He demonstrated his incredible ability to publicly speak — knowing the importance of knowing your audience, the power of a quick phrase or a whisper, and a warm sense of humor to which all ages can connect. He spoke of the essential workers who pushed through during the pandemic, finding a way to safely work while the world shut down He shared his admiration of the students who continued to train — even preparing for the upcoming competition, in spite of their remote learning experiences because “the world is depending on you.” He acknowledged that “it’s been difficult to get here.” He stated, “I know you had to do a lot of work. You had to pass a lot of tests; you had to win a lot of contests, so — for passing through all the levels, and getting through to nationals to demonstrate your skill at this great event, you have my congratulations . . you have my admiration . . . “ He reminded the competitors that “this is an event that is special. These days will go by in a flash, I say that to make the most of them, starting right now because it will change your lives, and these lives are the stories of America’s future and they are the signs of America’s now.”

As if Mr. Pinchuk’s words weren’t already a light of inspiration, America’s Got Talent, LightBalance came to the stage to entertain the crowd with their unique dance routines with energy-filled music and creative light.

Finally — it was time to cut the tape that signified the official start of the National Leadership and Skills Conference of 2022.

As the kids returned through the security-filled streets, back to the hotel for their final sleep before their first day of competition, they were filled with the energy and hope needed to push through to the next level. Finishing their 10,000 steps for the day, they were ready for a warm meal, a hot shower, and a long night of sleep.

Tommorw — the first day of competition!

Wish our students luck!

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