2024–2025 SkillsUSA Massachusetts Advisors’ Handbook Chapter 3: SkillsUSA Massachusetts Operations • 40 History The Home Depot in Leominster hosted our carpentry event at their location and sponsored several of our construction trades events. The National Leadership and Skills Conference was another great experience for Massachusetts SkillsUSA—VICA. Our state brought home 15 national medals and Kathryn M. Shannon a Nursing student at Southeastern Regional Technical HS was elected to the office of National Region I Vice President. In July of 2003 management of Massachusetts SkillsUSA— VICA was relocated from the Department of Education to Southeastern Regional School District under the direction of Karen Ward as Executive Director. Suzanne Raposo, a SkillsUSA—VICA Alumni and 1999–2000 State President was named as a full-time Program Development Specialist for Massachusetts SkillsUSA—VICA. 2004 History currently being updated 2005 History currently being updated 2006 SkillsUSA Massachusetts ran its tenth candidate for National Office. Danielle Remillard, a student of the marketing program at Bay Path RVTHS, ran for and was elected to the office of National Parliamentarian, making her the eighth National Officer from the state. 2007 History currently being updated 2008 This marked the year SkillsUSA Massachusetts expanded to six districts to better serve its growing membership. The 44th National Leadership and Skills Conference featuring the SkillsUSA Championships in Kansas City, MO saw SkillsUSA Massachusetts bringing home 58 National Medals. Kevin Lopez joins leadership team as State Officer Mentor. 2009 SkillsUSA Massachusetts brought home 55 National Medals, 82 Skill Point Certificates— third in nation. 2010 The SkillsUSA Massachusetts State Leadership Conference featuring the Massachusetts SkillsUSA Championships was again hosted by Blackstone RVTHS. The Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center in Marlborough served as the host hotel for the seventh consecutive year. This conference saw the introduction of Photography, Medical Terminology, and Sustainability Solutions as limited demonstration contests. The 46th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference featuring the SkillsUSA Championships was held in Kansas City, MO. SkillsUSA Massachusetts brought home 48 National medals, 113 Skill Point Certificates —fourth in nation. The conference also saw SkillsUSA Massachusetts run its twelfth candidate for National Office. Ricky Jordan, a student of the Cosmetology program at Bay Path RVTHS, ran for and was elected to the office of National Region I Vice President (Secondary Division), making him the ninth National Officer from the state. 2010 also marked Karen Ward’s 25th anniversary as a state director. At officer training, book author Fred Savoie shared his discovery of evidence that SkillsUSA Massachusetts (VICA, as it was known back then) was founded in 1972 and not 1974 as widely believed. The history section of the advisor’s handbook was revised as a result. Thomas G. Paquette, former State and National Region I Vice President, joined SkillsUSA Massachusetts as its new Director of Membership and Program Development. Chris Slavinskas and Carly Ward joined the Leadership Team as production assistants. 2011 The SkillsUSA Massachusetts State Leadership Conference featuring the Massachusetts SkillsUSA Championships was again hosted by Blackstone RVTHS. The Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center in Marlborough served as the host hotel for the eighth consecutive year. The conference was dedicated to Norman D. Myerow, a bakery instructor and fervent supporter of his students and SkillsUSA from Minuteman Regional High School, who in 1990 helped co-found the Commercial Bakery competition. This marked the first year SkillsUSA Massachusetts introduced two freshmen-only contests to serve freshmen members: Exploratory Project Demonstration and Career Choice Commentary. This conference also saw the introduction of Welding Sculpture, T-shirt Design, and Criminal Justice as limited demonstration contests. The 47th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference featuring the SkillsUSA Championships was held in Kansas City, MO. SkillsUSA Massachusetts brought home 60 National medals and 98 Skill Point Certificates — second in nation. The conference also saw SkillsUSA Massachusetts run its thirteenth candidate for National Office. Victoria Holbert, a student of the Dental Assisting program at Montachusett RVTHS, ran for and was elected as a National Officer Elect, making her the tenth National Officer from the state. At National Officer training she was elected by her fellow national officers to the position of National President, Secondary Division, the first from Massachusetts. Massachusetts saw a record number of schools participate this year, with a membership total of 28,084 consisting of 26,273 high school members, 348 post-secondary/college members, 822 professional members, and 610 alumni & honorary life members. Nationally, Massachusetts had the second highest membership total. Ricky Jordan Victoria Holbert Danielle Remillard
.png?v=1694020562592)
