Lydia Teri
Sophomore Amy Hicks is seen curling a mannequins' hair during her Cosmetology class.
SkillsUSA sets out to give students the opportunity to learn new skills, create career options for themselves, prepare for college, and earn scholarships for their skills through several competitions and career experience opportunities.
Those interested in culinary, criminal justice, cosmetology, and/or construction professions are encouraged to join and talk to their respective teachers in order to develop experience in these professions.
“It’s a service club,” said culinary arts teacher Cary Sauls. “The big thing that Tennessee High has done rather well over the years is our competitions,” said Sauls.
The culinary, nursing, and cosmetology competitions attended by members are ideal chances to prove your skill set and build your resume. In recent years, more students have joined SkillsUSA and been able to compete in, and win, multiple gold medals.
However, participants often face obstacles throughout their experience because of the lack of awareness and advertising for SkillsUSA
“It gives the student the opportunity to work […] and then gives them the chance to compete against others at the same level,” said Sauls.
Senior Madison Manahan has stepped into a leadership role within the culinary section of SkillsUSA as co-president and has since won multiple medals at competitions. Expanding her creative techniques and learning to not back down in the face of intimidating challenges are a few of the things SkillsUSA has helped Manahan grow.
“It’s just really helped me to be more in tune with myself, but then also knowing how other people are feeling because I’ve been in their shoes,” said Manahan.