WY SkillsUSA Wednesday Update
October 16, 2024

Welcome Shawna Reichert as the Wyoming SkillsUSA Incoming State Director
Shawna Reichert brings over six years of leadership experience, including her tenure as CEO of the Platte County Chamber of Commerce, where she focused on community and workforce development. In addition to her extensive involvement in Career and Technical Education, Shawna serves as a school board trustee, demonstrating her commitment to education at all levels. She has been married for 26 years to her husband, Troy, a dedicated CTE teacher, and is a proud mother to their daughter, Lakin. A graduate of Leadership Wyoming and a three-time nominee for Wyoming Business Report's Women of Influence award, Shawna is passionate about shaping the future of Wyoming’s CTE students and professionals through her work with SkillsUSA Wyoming.
Yesterday, Shawna officially stepped into her new role and will be working alongside Janie Wilcox through Janie's retirement on June 30, 2025. Her experience, knowledge, and passion are a fantastic addition and we are confident that a smooth transition has been set in motion. Shawna will assume the State Director title for our organization on July 1, 2025. Welcome, Shawna!
CTE Giving Opportunity!
Giving Day 2024 is just around the corner. This year, we are excited to spotlight the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Discretionary Fund, which plays a crucial role in supporting recruitment into our CTE teacher preparation program, advancing program development, and enhancing our training facilities.
From noon on October 23 through noon on October 24, you will have the opportunity to contribute directly to the future of CTE education in Wyoming—by supporting the training of our next generation of CTE teachers. The skills taught in CTE programs are vital to Wyoming’s skilled workforce and economic prosperity, yet we continue to face a growing need for more qualified teachers to sustain these programs.
Jenna M. Shim, Ph.D.
John P. “Jack” Ellbogen Dean and Professor
College of Education, University of Wyoming
The Importance of Supporting CTE
Rob Hill
Giving Day 2024
Explore the CTE Fund and Other Campaigns
Check out the CTE fund and the rest of the College of Education's Giving Day campaigns and see how your support can make a difference across our various programs.
Last Week's Information in Review
As a Strategic Plan Initiative, The SkillsUSA Board of Directors is motivated to strengthen chapter programs. Building your year-long program and chapter officer team initiatives BEGINS NOW and this year's national theme could not be more fittting. It is time for your chapter to Ignite its Potential and exceed all expectations.
If your chapter is interested in in-person or virtual training, please contact Janie Wilcox, your State Director.
Fall Leadership Conference Registration Opens Monday, October 21
2024 FALL CONFERENCE OFFERS STATESMAN AWARD
There is no better way to jump start your chapter but through Fall Conference! Fall Conference will be held in Torrington beginning at approx 1pm on Thursday, November 21st and ending at 1pm on Friday, November 22nd. on the campus of Eastern Wyoming College. Registration opens Monday, October 21st and remains open until Monday, November 4th.
Cost is $45 and you do not need to be a member to attend. All chapters in attendance will receive a NEW CHAPTER GUIDE KIT.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN WYOMING FALL CONFERENCE HISTORY we are instituting a Statesmanship Award for all attendees! Earn this award ONLY at Fall Conference!
Registration FREE! Thank you, UW College of Education!
UPON SUBMISSION, the first 65 registrants for Fall Conference will have their attendance fee waived thanks to a generous sponsorship from the University of Wyoming College of Education.
MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION MADE EASY
Member Registration Deadline: February 1
Did you know that you can change settings within your membership registration site to allow your students to enter their own information?
TECHNICAL STANDARDS are only available to PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS
One of the many benefits of registering as a professional member is access to the Technical Standards. The 2024-2026 Technical Standards are available NOW.
As you begin meeting as a chapter, preparing a Program of Work for the school year, and considering your slate for technical and leadership contests for our state conference, it is imperative to have the technical standards to guide your preparation.
2025 Wyoming Contests and Limits- EXPECT CHANGES
Release Date: December 1
The SkillsUSA Board of Directors are meeting mid-November. Expect minimal changes to the list of competitions offered, but significant changes will be made to the number of individuals/teams per school per competition. Expect this release on December 1.
Chapter Excellence Program REQUIRED to be Eligible to Compete
Deadline for 2025: February 20th
Level 1/Quality Chapter status will be required in 2025 for any chapter interested in competing at the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference.
Here is what the application is going to look like when you sign in.
CEP-Applications-0622-v7.pdf (skillsusa.org)
This is a great activity for your chapter! Lesson 3A Quality Chapter Management (skillsusa.org)
Please contact Janie Wilcox - Our team is ready and willing to talk your chapter through the process.
Family and Consumer Sciences CTSO Training Announced!
Registration Closes October 30th
Space is lmited. Learn the benefits of a Career and Technical Student Organization, tour programs at the University of Wyoming, collaborate with FCS teachers from around Wyoming.
Application Process Closes November 5
The scholarship program supports the SkillsUSA career model and aligns with SkillsUSA and Aerotek’s shared strategic goal to expand the skilled workforce and remove barriers of entry for the future generation of workers.
New Competition Attire for the SkillsUSA Championships
SkillsUSA National Office Releases Ariat Prototypes
Please take a moment to read about the possible update to competition attire and then take the survey associated with it.
Janie's Pros!
- Update long overdue; design fresh!
- Style could be worn confidently beyond copetition.
Janie's Cons!
- It has been shared that price will be comparable to the current pricing, yet the page lists "TDB".
- For Chapters who have a collection of Technical Official Dress they will become obsolete 2 years from introduction of the new design.
IT IS NEVER TOO EARLY to Encourage Your Students to Apply!
Click on the title above to access the State Officer Application for the 2024-2025 school year. How many times have we heard "I had the perfect candidate...." from advisors in attendance at State Conference in April!
Please be proactive.
Please encourage your vetted, potential students to run; you and THEY will be glad you did!
For the past four years, our officer teams, with the support of their districts or colleges have attended the Washington DC Leadership Training Institute, the Mid-America Conference in Nebraska, mentored Wyoming chapters, and assisted in State Conference planning. The experience is life changing.
Questions? We are here to help!
SkillsUSA Customer Care Team
Membership and Registration Site Support
Phone: 844.875.4557
Email: customercare@skillsusa.org
Chat: www.skillsusa-register.org
SkillsUSA Wyoming
General Questions and State Programming
Phone: 307.630.7684