• I recently returned from the Virginia State Fair where state association director Dave Rathbone and the state association had its highest student participation ever with over 500 students attending and competing in several contests from masonry to culinary arts. This competition has become the largest youth activity at the Virginia State Fair and serves as an excellent way to showcase our students’ skills to the general public.
• On September 29, I attended the Pennsylvania District 11 Leadership by Example Award Breakfast in Bethlehem, Pa. I helped celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the SkillsUSA Industry Council that now boasts 100 companies supporting the SkillsUSA chapters in the Lehigh Valley. It was great to see Bob Black, industry representative and chair of the Lehigh Industry Council, being honored as the 2010 Leader by Example.
• Thanks to Toyota Motor Sales USA and YDF member Dave Camden, we recently received word that a brand new 2011 red Toyota Sienna van donation to SkillsUSA has arrived at the Toyota dealership in Leesburg, Va. Because of Toyota’s generous support, SkillsUSA will now have an official vehicle to use for VIP pickups, student tours and staff travel. We’re really looking forward to it.
• Our total participation membership contracts are complete and membership is coming in. We’re seeing a boost in early membership numbers and, as of today, we are approximately 9,900 over the same day last year. We are again cautiously optimistic about another positive year of participation.
• I recently returned from Manchester, N.H.  where I attended a STEM conference and Chicago where I attended Graphics EXPO. We honored our national student champions and our graphics industry partners at this event.
• On a sad note, we lost a great champion on September 20, 2010. Pat Richard, former chapter advisor and state association director in Virginia, lost her battle with cancer. I attended Pat’s memorial service. She was laid to rest in her red blazer with all her student award pins and her state director name badge on her lapel. She will be missed by students, teachers, family and SkillsUSA.

Tags: Highlights, Partner News, YDF

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