Washington Leadership Training Institute
On September 21-25th,
SkillsUSA RI State Vice President Elena Melekos, attended the Washington
Leadership Training Institute (WLTI) in Washington DC. The event was a five day
program where the members of SkillsUSA were trained on leadership skills, professionalism,
and citizenship. While in Washington the students and advisors attended sessions
that covered areas such as the impact of an individual citizen, leadership,
employability skills, and many others.
At this year’s WLTI training nearly
380 students represented almost every state across the country. Most of the
students that attended are state officers and had to apply to attend the week
of events. As a part of the training the students got to visit the SkillsUSA
National Headquarters, the Arlington Cemetery, and the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial;
at each destination a ceremony was hosted. While in DC every state and their
officer teams had a chance to present to Congressmen and Senators on SkillsUSA
and the Perkins grant which funds vocational-technical education for students
in secondary and postsecondary education.
The seven secondary officers and
Elena, the postsecondary officer for Rhode Island, had the opportunity to meet
with Congressman Jim Langevin’s Education Aide Sam Morgante, Senator Jack Reed,
and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. Every state officer had the chance to thank
them for supporting SkillsUSA and technical education as well as sharing their
personal story within SkillsUSA.
Throughout the week the students
all worked on their Statesman Awards. This award recognizes students who have
demonstrated and have mastered leadership skills and certain requirements
throughout the WLTI. At the end of the week countless memories had been made
and friendships that will last a life time had been created. The week was
without a doubt an incredible opportunity that helped individuals to grow as
leaders and people.
