On the Cover: SkillsUSA Champion Stephanie Lew of Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Lloyd Wolf.

By Tom Kercheval
In a graphic arts classroom, a student found what he needed most: the support of a caring instructor. But it wasn’t until he found a hidden item that his life and his instructor’s became forever linked. [Read]

By Ann P. Schreiber
Sometimes it’s not a competitive streak that wins a medal … it’s simply knowing that you’re doing your best. Meet a world-class welder whose bond with the SkillsUSA contest program is unbreakable. [Read]

By Craig E. Moore
In the fourth annual Insider’s Guide to the SkillsUSA Cham-pionships, the experts share which qualities are most likely to bring success in contests — and in the work force —and talk about the moments they realized the impact of supporting SkillsUSA. Plus: students who were champions before ever setting foot on the contest floor. [Read]