Champion of the Month: Tammy Brown, Olivia Weidner, Ramon Moreno

“SkillsUSA has been a big part of my life for over 32 years. I could not imagine life without it. I know so many people in Michigan and from across the country. I feel like we are one big family!” -Tammy Brown

From the left: Tammy Brown (SkillsUSA Michigan State Director), Olivia Weidner (SkillsUSA Michigan President), Ramon Moreno (SkillsUSA Michigan Vice-President)

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Whether we realize it or not, inspirational people are all around us. Some are famous figures in society, such as political leaders or celebrities. Others may not be famous, but still play an important role. Examples of this type of discreet leader are several SkillsUSA Michigan members: Tammy Brown, Olivia Weidner, and Ramon Moreno.

These three individuals have proven themselves to be dedicated members of SkillsUSA. Each has unmistakable passion for this organization.

“Being involved in Skills has helped me develop better leadership skills and also has helped me to become more open to talking to new people,” said Weidner.

Weidner, currently a senior in high school, is the student president for SkillsUSA Michigan. This position involves overseeing the work of other state officers on her team and running meetings. In September of 2013, Weidner ran for a local officer position at a SkillsUSA pep rally and was elected. This year, she made the decision to run for her current state officer position.

Explained Weidner, “Being the President means a lot more than ‘being in charge.’ It actually means I need to set forth a good example to my team and, when making decisions, keep their well-being and options in mind.”

Along with being on the SkillsUSA Michigan team, Weidner is a second year Culinary Arts Tourism and Hospitality Management student. Through SkillsUSA, she has competed in the Job Skills Interview competition at the local level and the Team Banquet competition at the state level.

Moreno is also a Culinary Arts student, senior in high school, and member of SkillsUSA Michigan. He assumes the responsibility of president in Weidner’s absence and helps other officers on his team with their responsibilities when needed. He began his SkillsUSA involvement in 2013 when he was elected by his instructor to attend the SkillsUSA Michigan Fall Leadership Conference. He has competed in the Culinary Hot Side competition. Moreno ran for his current position on the Michigan team this year.

“I’ve always wanted to be a leader and inspire others to do great things. But what really pushed me even more (to run for state officer) was to fulfill my parents’ dream of their children doing great things,” said Moreno.

Both of these students have demonstrated career and leadership skills. So, who has helped them with their SkillsUSA journey so far? Brown, their SkillsUSA Michigan State Director, has influenced them greatly.

Brown has been involved in SkillsUSA for 32 years, since first joining in 1982. When she first started, SkillsUSA was still formerly known as VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America) and she was a high school student in Advertising Design. During her senior year of high school, Brown began her first SkillsUSA leadership position.

Said Brown, “I was a state officer my senior year and have wanted this job (state director) ever since. I volunteered for 25 years before the former state director retired.  I then applied for the job and was hired in 2006.”

Currently, Brown is the head of SkillsUSA Michigan. She uses many years of experience to lead SkillsUSA Michigan. Weidner even labeled her as a mother-like figure. Brown feels the same appreciation for her officers.

“They are responsible, on top of things and go getters.  I am looking forward to working with them all year,” exclaimed Brown.

In September of this year, the SkillsUSA Washington LeadershipTraining Institute took place in Washington D.C. Weidner, Moreno, and Brown attended this week of touring and training together.

“Never in my life would I of thought I was going to Washington D.C. I have always seen the monuments on TV but never pictured myself being there,” said Moreno.

This was Moreno and Weidner’s first time attending this SkillsUSA event, also referred to as WLTI. Both students, another state officer from their team, and Brown were ecstatic to participate.

Said Weidner, ” I have met Representatives and Senators and shared my view on important subjects. I have gone to Washington D.C. to learn more about how SkillsUSA and our government works, and I have met over 600 people during the process. How many 18 year olds can say that?”

For Brown, this was one of many WLTI experiences; she has attended several times as a student, several times as a volunteer, and eight times as a state director. While at WLTI, Brown and her participating officers met with Michigan Senator Carl Levin. Over the years, Brown has had the opportunity to meet with Levin multiple times.

Tammy Brown (second from left) meets with Michigan Senator Carl Levin (third from left) in 1982 as a SkillsUSA Michigan State Officer.

Tammy Brown (far right) meets with Michigan Senator Carl Levin (middle) again in 2013 as a SkillsUSA Michigan State Director.

Each of these three SkillsUSA members- Brown, Weidner, and Moreno- are not only doing great things currently, but have promising plans for the future. Moreno wants to further his culinary skills by studying abroad, especially since he loves to travel. Weidner has been accepted to the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in New York for fine pastry arts and business management. She wants to start a SkillsUSA chapter on the CIA campus and potentially run to be a SkillsUSA National Officer. Brown plans on continuing her position as the SkillsUSA Michigan State Director.

Being on the SkillsUSA Michigan team has provided all of them an abundance of memories, skills, and friendships.

“I don’t think I could have asked for a better group to work with this year. All the officers are well-mannered, follow all the deadlines, respect one another, and are just fun to be around. Each officer brings a different personality to the table,” stated Weidner.

Moreno also had words of praise for SkillsUSA Michigan’s team: “This team has showed me business etiquette, how to hold meetings, how to be the first one to step in and start something. It has also taught me that friendships are great and can be made with anyone.”

Brown, Weidner, and Moreno are SkillsUSA champions. They prove that anyone can be noticed and appreciated by their peers if they put forth effort and follow their passions.

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