Learning to Lead

This past weekend, this year’s SkillsUSA LCCTC Chapter Officers joined with a few of last year’s national competitors and a few other chapter members selected by lottery to participate in an overnight fall leadership training at Camp Kon-o-Kwee.

After quick tour of the camp, nestled in the rolling hills of Western Pennsylvania, the group settled in and enjoyed a pizza dinner because — why not? At first, the group awkwardly mingled, but soon, “family fun” ensued as the board games came out, all settling on one game, Hue’s Clues that relied heavily on good communication and could include them all at one time. Laughter and a little competitiveness wheedled their way into the group, and soon, they all began to relax, ready to dig into the Leadership Lessons, with the first — “What Does it Mean to Be a Leader?”

“We lead, not because we tell others what to do, but because we serve,” states junior Jhenavesza Miller (EO), who is also a well-trained Peer Leader and class officer.

Hope Franklin, junior Restaurant Trades student, agrees, “We work together to get the job done.”

The next lesson included a self-reflection based on the SkillsUSA Framework. Each member scored themselves based on their understanding of the elements which include Personal Skills, Workplace Skills, and Technical Skills Grounded in Academics which was supported by a video, which was hot spotted in this remote setting. They discovered that, though they may see strength in areas that call for training in shop and professional development and individual choices, cooperative work with others was an area where they could show increased improvement. It’s a good thing because the next day would call for the need to work elbow-to-elbow to complete the service project arranged by the camp; this project, building bunk beds to increase camping opportunities for children and improve the camp experience for special-needs adults would test this area, would offer the opportunity to develop workplace skills needed to complete the task.

The evening was capped off with two more lessons, Lift and Lower and a round of SkillsUSA Bingo! For the first, the teams broke into two to work together to lift and lower the hula-hoop; the caveat — if any one member lost contact with the hoop for any reason, the entire group needed to start from ground level and repeat until they successfully achieved the task.

Senior Riley Barge (VT) laughed, “Hey guys — I’m down here; you can’t lift it that high!” . . . and the group considered that, adjusting their positions from smallest to tallest to successfully lift their hoop.

In the second group, they worked to take their time and better communicate to reach success. “If we just let each other know we need a moment,” states senior Aaliyah Kinney (EO), a second-year member of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies (O & C) team, “just say it and we’ll listen.” This couldn’t be more true in real life!

The final activity of the night before turning in to get some rest for the next day of work was a round of SkillsUSA Bingo! where the members needed to find a member who had shown that scenario trait listed in the box, traits included in the SkillsUSA Framework, and have them sign it — but not before the autographed shared a way they demonstrate that trait.

“I know there’s a lot to learn for the Professional Development Test,” states sophomore O & C member Sami McKnight. “I can see how this leadership experience might help us apply the lessons we need to do well on that test.”

The other sophomore O & C member, sophomore Ashton Critchlow (Cos), also a leader in the county’s Civil Air Patrol, can see the benefit of the leadership event. “There are similar lessons we learn in our leadership training, and it’s good to have this reminder of what it takes to lead by example.”

“I enjoyed this event, and I’m really glad I am pushing myself outside of my comfort zone to join the team,” states junior Lynnden Cummins, one of the newest members of the O & C team. “I’m so glad I have been able to find people who I feel comfortable with and who I can call, ‘my friend’ .”

Senior Maddy Werner (HA) agreed, “My heart is filled with joy, and I’m so glad we were able to get to know our peers more, and I’m looking forward to this next year in SkillsUSA.”