2024–2025 SkillsUSA Massachusetts Advisors’ Handbook Chapter 3: SkillsUSA Massachusetts Operations • 38 History of coordinating the activities of Massachusetts VICA. Paul J. Viau, VICA Advisor at Montachusett RVTHS, was appointed as Executive Director. 1993 The Massachusetts VICA State Leadership Conference and Skill Olympics was held again co-hosted by Montachusett RVTHS and Leomin- ster CTE. The Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center in Fitchburg served as the host hotel. This conference saw a large group of people working together to manage the conference under the direction of the Board of Directors. The National Leadership Conference and United States Skill Olympics held in the third and final year in Louisville, Kentucky, saw Massachusetts VICA run its fifth candidate for National Office. Tiffany L. Sawyer, a graduate of the Culinary Arts program at Tri-County RVTHS attending Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI, ran for and was elected to the office of National Parliamentarian (Post- secondary Division), our state’s fifth National Officer. Massachusetts VICA also captured 12 national medals in the United States Skill Olympics. In July, the Department of Education again resumed responsibility as the direct service provider for Massachusetts VICA and Karen Ward returned to the position of Executive Director. 1994 The Massachusetts VICA State Leadership Conference and Skill Olympics was held for the third and final year at the Best Western Royal Plaza and Trade Center in Fitchburg. Montachusett RVTHS and Minuteman RVTHS served as host sites for the Skill Olym- pics. The National Conference was held for the first time in Kansas City, Missouri, and Massachusetts VICA came away with 13 national medals. 1995 The Massachusetts VICA State Leadership and Skills Conference featured skills competition under its new name the Massachusetts SkillsUSA Champion- ships. The conference was held, for the first time, at the Best Western Royal Plaza and Trade Center in Marlborough. The Massachusetts SkillsUSA Championships was co-hosted by Assabet Valley RVTHS and J.P. Keefe Technical High School. The National Leadership Conference and United States Skill Olympics was held again in Kansas City, Missouri, and Massachusetts came away with 12 national medals. 1996 The Massachusetts VICA State Leadership and Skills conference was held, for the second year, at the Best Western Royal Plaza and Trade Center in Marl- borough. The Massachusetts SkillsUSA Championships was co-hosted by Assabet Valley RVTHS and J.P. Keefe Technical High School. The conference featured several new events including: Food & Beverage Service, Sculptured Nails, Automated Manufacturing and Principles of Technology. The national conference was held in Kansas City, Missouri, for a third year. Massachusetts VICA posted the best team performance in our organization’s history. Massachusetts entered 51 competitive events. Of the 51 events entered, 32 finished in the top ten. Of the 32 top-ten finishers, 27 were in the top five. Massachusetts recorded the second highest medal total in the secondary division. Massachusetts also scored 5 fourth place finishes, 4 bronze medals, 4 silver medals, and 5 gold medals. 1997 The Massachusetts VICA State Leadership and Skills conference was held at the Best Western Royal Plaza and Trade Center in Fitchburg. The Massachusetts SkillsUSA Championships was co-hosted by Assabet Valley RVTHS and Montachusett RVTHS. The conference featured a new event: First Aid & CPR. The national conference was held in Kansas City, Missouri, for a fourth year. Massachu- setts VICA posted the best team performance in our organiza- tion’s history. Massachusetts entered 52 competitive events. Of the 52 events entered, 38 finished in the top ten. Of the 38 top-ten finishers, 25 were in the top five. Massachusetts recorded the second highest medal total in the secondary division. Massachusetts also scored 4 fourth place finishes, 3 bronze medals, 7 silver medals, and 8 gold medals. 1998 The Massachusetts VICA State Leadership and Skills confer- ence was held at the Best Western Royal Plaza and Trade Center in Fitchburg. The Massachusetts SkillsUSA Championships was co-hosted by Assabet Valley and Montachusett RVTHS. The conference featured a new event: VICA’s Techspo, which featured student projects in a variety of trade areas on display. Judging of the projects was conducted by members of Division 8 school committee members and projects were awarded blue, red, and white ribbons for their efforts. The conference also featured a demonstration of student built robots designed to compete in the FIRST competition. This activity represented our initial efforts in the development of a partnership with FIRST. The national conference was held in Kansas City, Missouri, for its fifth year. Massachusetts VICA posted the best team performance in our organization’s history. Out performing even the stellar team of 1997. Massachusetts entered 53 competitive events. Of the 53 events entered, 44 finished in the top ten. Of the 44 top-ten finishers, 29 were in the top five. Massachusetts recorded the second highest medal total in the secondary division and the third highest medal total overall. Massachusetts also scored 5 fourth place finishes, 5 bronze medals, 8 silver medals and 6 gold medals. This extraordinary week also saw Massachusetts VICA run its sixth candidate for National office. Cyra Hathaway, a graduate of the Cosmetology program at Plymouth South HS in Plymouth, MA and 1997–98 State VICA Secretary ran The 1991-92 state officer team meets with Senator Kennedy in Washington D.C. Tiffany Sawyer Cyra Hathaway
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