SkillsUSA congratulates the winners of the public relations challenge. This new online challenge encouraged local chapters and state officer teams to demonstrate how they showcased SkillsUSA to the news media in ways that highlighted career and technical education opportunities and student success. The purpose of the challenge was to help students grow in their communication and teamwork skills and promote SkillsUSA to a wider audience. Teams promoted SkillsUSA to a minimum of three audiences in the community, and then documented all media coverage. The goal was to gain positive local media attention for schools, programs and events. Participation in the SkillsUSA Public Relations Challenge supported the program of work and chapter standards by helping students learn to document and measure efforts.
The PR challenge was open Sept. 1, 2017, to March 30, 2018. The required media coverage period was from three months to six months. Coverage included broadcast television, print media, social media and even video posts, blogs and school newspapers.
The first-place school winner and Media Champion was Hueytown High School, in Hueytown, Ala. The SkillsUSA advisor is cosmetology instructor Wanda Henry. The chapter will receive a grant of $900 in recognition of their media efforts this school year.
The second-place school winner and Media Boss was Greenville County High School in Emporia, Va. The SkillsUSA advisor is carpentry instructor James Wright. The chapter will receive a grant of $300 in recognition of their media efforts this school year.
The first-place state winner and Media Champion for State Advocacy was SkillsUSA Massachusetts, led by state director Karen Ward. The association will receive a grant of $900 in recognition of their media efforts this school year.
Also recognized for their media efforts are SkillsUSA Wisconsin, named a Media Boss for their communications plan and PR efforts. And, SkillsUSA New Jersey was named a Media Whiz for their state efforts in public relations this year.
SkillsUSA offers one annual merit-based $1,500 scholarship to a state officer for college/postsecondary education in memory of Marsha Daves, a former SkillsUSA state and national leader.
To honor the future generation of Pros who are choosing careers in skilled trades, the Lowe’s Foundation has awarded a $1 million Gable Grant to SkillsUSA.
