“…laying the wreath at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was an out of this world experience. I have never participated in such a moving and impactful ceremony before.” -Matt Carder, SkillsUSA National Officer
Matt Carder (left) and Ben Miller (middle) stand with a guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
It’s a September day in Washington D.C., with a clear sky overhead. The graves of fallen soldiers and veterans in Arlington Cemetery stretch on for miles. Over 400 people, all dressed in red, walk to the heart of this famous cemetery: the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located on a hill overlooking our nation’s capitol. All gather around the tomb in complete silence; a feeling of respect is so strong that it’s almost palpable in the air. Two SkillsUSA members and a Guard of Honor walk in perfect unison towards the marble tomb. They proceed to assemble a new wreath, this one with “SkillsUSA” printed on its ribbon. Participating in this ceremony is an honor; it is a symbol of the sacrifice many have given for our freedom. In that moment, some of us cry, some are overwhelmed, and all are more proud than ever to call themselves SkillsUSA advocates and Americans.
What is the Washington Leadership Training Institute?
SkillsUSA has a variety of events that students can participate in. Majority of the students involved in SkillsUSA focus on competitions. However, there are also leadership opportunities that are just as rewarding. The Washington Leadership Training Institute (WLTI) is one of those opportunities, held annually in Washington D.C.
WLTI has been a SkillsUSA tradition for many years. This year, it took place September 20-24. SkillsUSA students, advisors, and directors are all welcome to participate. The primary goal of WLTI is to build leadership skills that can be taken back to each person’s home state. WLTI consists of touring, leadership sessions, opening and closing ceremonies, congressional visits, and an opportunity to earn the SkillsUSA National Statesman Award.
SkillsUSA Indiana at WLTI
From the left: Firestone, Weber, Baker, Moore, Huffman, Stephenson, and Cooper
Indiana was one of many states represented at WLTI. SkillsUSA Indiana had seven members attend WLTI: Kelley Baker (Director), Eric Cooper (Board President), Lisa Firestone (State Officer Advisor and Board Treasurer), Carley Moore (President), Olivia Huffman (Secretary), Jacob Weber (Parliamentarian), and Emily Stephenson (Reporter).
“I was so impressed that so many young people could impact the government and I hope that what we did at Capitol Hill made a lasting impression on these future leaders of America,” said Firestone.
This was the first time SkillsUSA Indiana has ever sent students to participate in WLTI. These four Indiana students earned their National Statesman Award and were the first team to complete all the requirements. In order to receive the award, they had to write an essay about Perkins funds, create a SkillsUSA brochure or poster and write short essays during WLTI. They were also checked off on SkillsUSA knowledge by the National Officers and interviewed.
Said Cooper, “My favorite part of WLTI was watching our state officers grow into a mature team.”
“I truly was so proud of our officer team and what they brought to the table. Being our first year experiencing WLTI, we have not only exceeded all expectations I may have set but set the bar so high for our state officers to come,” said Baker.
SkillsUSA Indiana State Officers and their Director, Kelley Baker, posed with SkillsUSA Executive Director Tim Lawrence. The officers had just been awarded their National Statesman Award. From the left: Baker, Huffman, Lawrence, Moore, Weber, Stephenson
Preparing for WLTI
The National Officer team understands the dedication it takes to host an event like WLTI. Their training began in July at the SkillsUSA National Headquarters in Virginia. They learned the skills of writing and presenting speeches and workshops. In between training and WLTI, plans were made.
“…we had to find a way to communicate how we were going to get the workshops done. Since a majority of our officers live all around the country, we use email and Facebook messaging to discuss the workshops,” said Alex Bruin, a SkillsUSA National Postsecondary Officer and Parliamentarian.
Upon arrival in D.C., the National Officers began the work they had spent months preparing for. They helped lead the Opening Ceremony and check off National Statesman Award requirements. Each night consisted of a team meeting. On Monday during WLTI, the day before congressional visits took place, leadership sessions were held for students. The National Officers facilitated those sessions.
“I had never spoken in front of more than 400 people in my life until the Opening Ceremony of WLTI. I had also never led or delivered a workshop before WLTI, so that was a huge boost to my leadership skills,” said Ben Miller, a SkillsUSA High School National Officer and Region 2 Vice-President.
There is no doubt that WLTI needed the National Officer Team. Each of these officers contributed much time and energy into making this event a success. They even made the effort to be friendly and sociable every chance they got.
Said Miller, “I know that the National Officer Team wanted to show that even though we hold such a high position in SkillsUSA, we are still personable.”
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Arlington Cemetery in Arlington, VA, is home of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Several of the National Officers were granted special opportunities while at WLTI. Matt Carder, a SkillsUSA High School National Officer and Region 3 Vice-President, joined Miller to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This famous memorial is located in Arlington Cemetery. Carder and Miller each submitted an essay, then were picked by SkillsUSA’s National Staff.
“As I was participating in the ceremony, I kept thinking about my grandfathers who were pilots in the Vietnam War, one of which was shot down. I also was thinking of my brother who has experienced loss during his time with the Army in Afghanistan last year,” explained Carder.
“I was holding back tears the whole time from the emotions that I was feeling. It was such an honor,” described Miller.
National Officers Matt Carder (left) and Ben Miller (right) pose with the SkillsUSA wreath.
The Pentagon
Bruin was also chosen by the SkillsUSA National Staff to participate in a unique ceremony. She spoke during the ceremony at the Pentagon Memorial. In order to be selected, she submitted a short essay.
“In my essay I wrote about how it would be the most honorable thing I would ever get to experience,” said Bruin.
This opportunity was particularly special to her. Bruin started out in SkillsUSA as a firefighting student. She also has a close family member who is a firefighter: her dad.
“9/11 is a day we hold near and dear to our hearts…My father works with men who lost family and friends that day,” said Bruin.
“When I walked up to the podium at the Pentagon I was immediately overwhelmed. It was a struggle to get through the short excerpt in front of me.”
Bruin spoke during the Pentagon Ceremony, before WLTI participants entered the memorial.
Congressional Visits
WLTI participants traveled to Capitol Hill, where congressional visits took place. Since Congress was out of session during the week of WLTI, many members of Congress were not available to meet; however, some legislative assistants were available.
“We were there to talk to big leaders of America…and let our voices be heard. We really did achieve everything that we wanted to,” said Jacob Weber, a SkillsUSA Indiana State Officer and Parliamentarian.
The participants from SkillsUSA Indiana met with Nick Catino, legislative assistant of Senator Joe Donnelly; Stephen B. Davis, legislative director of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski; Mark Shultz, legislative correspondent of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski; and Sam Blevins, legislative assistant of Senator Dan Coats. Following their second meeting, they were given a private tour of the Capitol Building and the underground tunnels.
Huffman, SkillsUSA Indiana’s Secretary, was impressed by her team’s visits.
“Indiana’s congressional visits went extremely well and I am very proud at how our officer team did speaking on behalf of our organization…Visiting Capitol Hill was an amazing experience and showed me that everyone has a voice,” said Huffman.
SkillsUSA Indiana participants at WLTI met with Representative Jackie Walorski’s legislative assistant and correspondent in her office.
Brooke Long, a SkillsUSA Ohio State Officer and Parliamentarian, met with aides who were familiar with “Perkins Funds.” These funds exist through the Carl D. Perkins Act and financially support career and technical education (CTE) and career and technical organizations (CTOs). This act needs to be renewed by Congress, or many CTOs and CTE as a whole will be in jeopardy.
“I got a lot out of visiting Capitol Hill, and it was especially nice hearing that renewing the Perkins grant and supporting CTE was a goal of all of theirs,” said Long.
SkillsUSA Idaho’s President, Cody Larios, was one of few SkillsUSA members that had the privilege of meeting with a Congress member. Larios visited Idaho Senator Mike Crapo in his office.
Larios exclaimed, “Senator Crapo said he was happy SkillsUSA Idaho was being led by me! Made me feel very accomplished and proud of myself!”
Left to right: Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, SkillsUSA Idaho President Cody Larios
The Impact of WLTI
WLTI is more than a trip to D.C. This event is primarily about promoting leadership and pride for America among SkillsUSA members.
Participants had the opportunity to win an award other than the National Statesman Award. This additional award was given to five students for creating outstanding promotional designs. Jordan Dossey, SkillsUSA New Mexico’s Secretary, was one of the winners. He had much praise to give WLTI.
“I really enjoyed conversing with others about what they do in their hometowns, what their competition is, why they joined SkillsUSA, and how SkillsUSA has made a difference in their lives,” said Dossey.
“Overall it was just a welcoming environment that pushed you to get out of your comfort zone and expand your horizons!”
From the left: Alexis Pratts, Jordan Dossey, Emily Reynoso, Punya Mardhanan, Marcelo Francia
Moore, SkillsUSA Indiana’s President, also praised WLTI: “WLTI strengthened my leadership skills by teaching me that you become a better leader when you work together with everyone…”
Whether a monument, memorial, congressional visit, or leadership session was the most inspirational, each person who attended the Washington Leadership Training Institute was impacted. This special opportunity is a key part of the SkillsUSA organization.
National Officers Dalton Crump (far left), Antonio Vargas (front), Ben Miller (far right), and Ahmad Shawwal (second from right) posed with three SkillsUSA members.
Two SkillsUSA Indiana State Officers, Jacob Weber and Emily Stephenson, proudly held up their National Statesman Award pin.
From the left: Mike Cowles, Matt Carder, Brooke Long, and Jackie Walker, all from SkillsUSA Ohio.
National Officer Alex Bruin helps a SkillsUSA member with her National Statesman Award requirements.
Cody Larios, from SkillsUSA Idaho, posed in front of the Capitol Building.
Written by: Emily Stephenson, SkillsUSA Indiana Reporter
SkillsUSA Indiana: Skilled Hoosiers of America 