Thirty-one Oklahoma SkillsUSA students brought home gold medals from the 59th National Leadership and Skills Conference, putting the Oklahoma contingent in first place for gold medal recipients.
Oklahoma took 425 advisers and competitors to the conference in Atlanta, Georgia, where the state chapter was second in the nation for most medals, with 73 students bringing home gold, silver or bronze medals. Oklahoma placed first, second and third in the Career Safe video challenge.
“I feel that Oklahoma SkillsUSA represented the state of Oklahoma very well,” said Emily Goff, state SkillsUSA adviser with Oklahoma CareerTech. “To come in second in the medal count and first in the gold medal count nationally is an amazing accomplishment.”
The state SkillsUSA members were among approximately 6,000 students from across the country to compete in 110 hands-on skill and leadership competitions. In addition to competing, students also elected national officers and had the opportunity to meet SkillsUSA members from across the country and learn new skills and hear about new technology from industry and education partners.
During her time on stage, Abby Vandiver of Autry Technology Center, postsecondary president on the 2023 national officer team, honored Goff and Cheryl Cooksey, her adviser at Autry Tech, for their influences in her SkillsUSA career.
SkillsUSA is one of seven CareerTech student organizations affiliated with CareerTech programs. It is affiliated with trade and industrial education. The other six are Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (family and consumer sciences education), FFA (agricultural education), DECA (marketing education), HOSA (health careers education), Business Professionals of America (business and information technology education) and Technology Student Association (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
Oklahoma CareerTech: Education that works for you
The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education provides leadership and resources and assures standards of excellence for a comprehensive statewide system of career and technology education. The system offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts operating on 60 campuses, 391 PK-12 school districts, 17 Skills Centers campuses that include three juvenile facilities and 32 adult education and family literacy providers.
The agency is governed by the State Board of Career and Technology Education and works closely with the State Department of Education and the State Regents for Higher Education to provide a seamless educational system for all Oklahomans.
