by Rachel Lamb, senior editor

Junior Kelly Krenek and sophomore Delphine Ngoko Djomos were elected to the SkillsUSA Texas state officer team this past month.  The Roar interviewed Kelly Krenek about her experience.

What is a SkillsUSA?

Formally, it is an organization that prepares students in technical trades to be successful in their career by giving them competition practice and technical practice as well as leadership training.  But for a lot of kids, it’s mostly just a way to practice their skills ad their trade and meet across their district or their state and even the nation who are also interested in that trade.

What does it mean to be a Skills state officer?

Every district in Texas elects their officer team, and every state also has an officer team.  So for Texas this year, 42 people tried out for state officer and 7 people are elected through this really intense process to be a state officer. Throughout the year, they will represent Skills USA at leadership events and competitions and whatever they are needed at.

What is your role as a Skills state officer?

My role is mostly representing the state of Texas at Skills USA functions.  For example, in September there is this event called WLTI, Washington Leadership Training Institute, and it’s where all the state officers from every state in Skills, all 50, and other people meet in Washington DC and we schedule meetings with representatives from Congress and the Senate and advocate for career and technology education with them.  Last year, all the state officers met with Ted Cruz’s representative and advocated for career and technology education directly to Congress.

What do you hope to accomplish as a state officer?

For me, Skills was a way to get closer to the people in my chapter and to feel included and to really branch out and network with other people who are also in Skills.  I want to, as an officer, be able to provide a similar experience for other people, and to help everyone feel included and like they have a place to be and to grow.