SkillsUSA is not "just a club" to members of the Willow Street chapter.

Several students who attend the Willow Street campus of Lancaster County Career & Technology Center (LCCTC) believe the organization offers a chance to be part of something special.

"SkillsUSA is the No. 1 workforce development organization for students," explained Airamis Conde, a patient care technician student from Conestoga Valley, who is one of the chapter's five officers. "(It) empowers students to become skilled professionals and career-ready leaders. SkillsUSA encourages students to step out of their comfort zone, have fun, and be themselves."

Natalie Yang, a medical assistant student from Garden Spot, said the group has organized 25 Thanksgiving dinners for families in need, provided a holiday meal for LCCTC students and faculty, and sponsored a hat and mitten tree with the clothes collected donated to Water Street Mission.

"SkillsUSA is important because as a student who has been in multiple clubs before, SkillsUSA has been the most beneficial for me," said Ky Logan, who is a veterinary assistant student from Elizabethtown. "It has helped me grow socially and build connections with others who have fields of studies in different areas or the same interests as me. There are also many different opportunities for community service, which some schools require. I think it's beneficial SkillsUSA provides that opportunity for students to be able to get those hours that they may need to meet graduation requirements."

Ky added, "It's not just a club for me. The competitions and community service projects we do are important."

Sara Rager, an aspiring patient care technician from Manheim Township, stated that being part of SkillsUSA has helped her improve her grades.

"We get to come together and form something special," said Sara. "That's why I feel like it's so much more than a club, as Ky said. It has helped each individual, especially me, with thriving and striving for what I want."

One of 21 Willow Street campus students who competed in the SkillsUSA district competition, Sara finished first in extemporaneous speaking to earn a trip to the state competition, which will be held Wednesday through Friday, April 2 to 4, in Hershey.

At districts, Sara was given five minutes to do research for her speech with the topic, "How has responsibility made you grow in SkillsUSA, and why is it important?"

"I told them about my experiences in SkillsUSA and how I work with a team," Sara said. "In the past, I've had a hard time working with a team, and now, I've worked with a lot of intelligent minds and brilliant people, and we can come up with a lot of great ideas."

Grace Wagner, a dental assistant student from Solanco, also finished first at districts and will compete at states.

"I'm super excited, looking forward to my state competition," said Grace. "I've been working very hard, studying hard recently for that, and I'm excited to see what the outcome will be." 

Grace said she joined SkillsUSA because of the advice of her instructor Rachel Sprecher. "I had been having thoughts about doing it before, but I wasn't too confident," said Grace, who is considering returning to LCCTC for postsecondary education. "I decided to listen to her advice, and I decided to step out of my comfort zone. I'm very grateful that she encouraged me to do that because I feel like this (club) is going to lead to very large opportunities for my education and my future."

Britney Valentin, a patient care technician student from Conestoga Valley, attended the state delegate conference on March 5 at the Dauphin County Technical School. It's a Central Region workshop to prepare delegates for the procedures and events at the April state competition in Hershey. 

"Being a delegate means to have an important role in helping shape the future of SkillsUSA," said Britney.

Mason Houser, a diesel equipment and technology student from Lampeter-Strasburg, competed in districts. "I wanted to test my skills, how quickly I can do tasks, and to see how much I actually know," said Mason. "I chose the CTC for the diesel program. My uncle worked in diesel as a semi-truck operator, and I grew up on that (and thought), 'Hey, I want to do this.'"