From Our View: Chapter Display Brings Home a Silver! ~ Trevor Cunningham and Noah Skelly

To showcase these three Ellwood City natives, our LCCTC Eagle staff asked Trevor Cunningham, Stormy Fiello, and Noah Skelly to reflect upon their experience at SkillsUSA State Competition in Hershey on April 19 - 23, 2017. For your reading enjoyment:

The state competition for SkillsUSA was way bigger than we could have ever anticipated. Not only did we grow as a group in the long process of building the chapter display, but during our time in Hershey, PA, not only did we grow as a group, we grew as a family as well.

Noah and Stormy look over the scope

At first, we had no idea what SkillsUSA was -- I only knew that the students who had gone in the past had a fun time and that it was an exciting experience. So when we were asked if we wanted to go to states, how could we turn it down when we had heard nothing but good things about it?

Mr. Montini, Trevor, and Stormy begin to assemble

As a group, we were all over the place at first -- not really knowing what to do, but we pulled through, improved as a unit, and learned skills helpful to each of us.

The excitement we felt getting on the bus to go to states is one that flips our stomachs and makes our palms sweaty.  It was a long ride there, but when we saw the amazing atmosphere and the attire of the advisors and presenters, it was just jaw dropping; there was a sea of red jacketed people -- all representing SkillsUSA.  

Noah and Trevor work to cut the metal

As we came together with our advisors at the start of the project, we learned more about SkillsUSA. We came to understand what our competition was all about -- how SkillsUSA and our school work together.   As we constructed the display, we needed to show how SkillsUSA helps its members and the purpose this year was, “Preparing America's Skilled Workforce,” and the display did exactly that.  The process of creating this display helped us grow as workers a team and individuals.  Because of SkillsUSA and chapter display, we are better people, and next year, we plan to use the skills that we gained this year to propel us forward as a team, to take home the gold, and to better ourselves and our team.  At the end of it all, that is what the chapter display is all about.  When we finished our project, we knew we nailed it; we proudly brought home a silver medal!  

A lot of people may think, “There is so much work involved.  Why would you do it?”

Well let us tell you -- when you put forth effort, it will pay off no matter what it is in life. Yes -- this particular event was a lot of work, but the work was fun because we had each other.  After all that work was done, we got to go to a place so large that it seemed like a city within a city, the people were friendly, the food was great, and the atmosphere was wonderful.   I couldn't have expected anything more of men and women who set up and run SkillsUSA.  They do a wonderful job and deserve nothing more but to be recognized for what they do.  

All assembled and ready for judging!

We’re excited to return next year, and with what we now know, we’re excited to bring home another medal, but this time, a medal with a different color -- maybe something more golden this time!