SkillsUSA Honors Sandy Wilton and SME with the 2025 Champion of the Year Award

SkillsUSA:
Clare Briner
cbriner@skillsusa.org

One of SkillsUSA’s highest honors recognizes individuals and organizations that demonstrate extraordinary commitment to advancing career and technical education

Leesburg, Va.,  June 24, 2025 — Sandy Wilton, program manager of student engagement at the SME Education Foundation and SME will be recognized with the SkillsUSA Champion of the Year Award during the Advisors Call to Action session on Wednesday, June 25 at the National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC). The recognition will take place during the breakfast program in the Thomas Murphy Ballroom at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

The Champion of the Year Award is one of SkillsUSA’s highest honors, recognizing individuals and organizations that demonstrate extraordinary commitment to advancing career and technical education (CTE). This award highlights those whose leadership, advocacy and collaboration have significantly expanded access and opportunities for the next generation of skilled professionals. SME represents the entire North American manufacturing industry, including manufacturers, academia, professionals, students and the communities in which they operate.

Sandy Wilton and SME have exemplified this commitment through their visionary partnership and sustained investment in student success. Through initiatives like the SkillsUSA Additive Manufacturing national competition, Wilton has served as both a champion and a tireless advocate for students — helping to elevate awareness, build confidence and prepare young people for rewarding careers in modern manufacturing.

“Sandy’s passion, leadership, and unwavering support for SkillsUSA make her one of our most impactful partners,” said Chelle Travis, executive director of SkillsUSA. “Her work with SME continues to open doors for students nationwide. We are absolutely delighted to honor her and SME with this well-deserved recognition.”

The Advisors Call to Action brings together SkillsUSA leaders to celebrate educators from across the country as those dedicated mentors who are shaping the future of individual students and CTE as a whole. Attendees will enjoy networking, breakfast, national updates and an awards presentation highlighting the exceptional efforts of SkillsUSA educators.

The NLSC is the largest annual gathering of America’s future skilled workforce and it will convene in Atlanta on June 23-27. More than 18,000 attendees — including middle school, high school and college/postsecondary students, teachers, school administrators and business partners — will celebrate the accomplishments of the top CTE students in the U.S. while showcasing the value of career-ready skills in solving the nation’s workforce development challenges. This recognized CTE hotspot and workforce development destination event features the SkillsUSA Championships, where more than 6,600 students will compete for national bronze, silver and gold medals in 114 hands-on workforce development competitions, from construction and transportation to extemporaneous speaking, welding and everything in between. For more information, visit NLSC.skillsusa.org

About SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA is the #1 workforce development organization for students, empowering them to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members. SkillsUSA represents more than 442,000 career and technical education students and teachers in middle schools, high schools and college/postsecondary institutions nationwide. Those members represent 130 in-demand occupational areas, from 3-D animation to welding. A vital solution to the skills gap, SkillsUSA has served over 15 million members since its founding in 1965. Learn more at skillsusa.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.