Students can earn college funds through SkillsUSA

Straight-A students and sports prodigies aren't the only ones who can receive scholarships. Douglas High School students learned how their talents in subjects from automotive, photography, communication and culinary skills can mean money for college.

The major goal of Monday's SkillsUSA presentation was to make Douglas career and technical education students aware that money is available through leadership development, health occupations and trade, industrial and technical contests.

Leo Frediani, 17, said although he's a student in Cade Baligad's Automotive II class, he doesn't think he'll take automotive classes in college.

"But I can compete and get some scholarships and get through school," Leo said. "I'd like to go to WNCC for a year then transfer to UNR.

"I'm learning about things to get me through college," said Leo. "I love the automotive field. I have my own project I'm working on. Baligad has taught me a lot."

Leo is working on what Baligad calls a "Firechicken," a Smokey and the Bandit-style Firebird.

"I'm doing a full restoration," Leo said. "I've got a new motor and I have to do the interior. My goal is to drive it to the prom."

SkillsUSA programs include state and national competitions where more than 3,800 students compete in up to 80 competitions to demonstrate occupational and leadership skills. SkillsUSA programs also help to establish industry standards for job skill training in the classroom.

Competitions range from graphic communications, to first aid/CPR, to Web design and carpentry skills.

Michael Raponi, assistant director in the Nevada Department of Education's office of Career, Technical and Adult Education, said SkillsUSA prepares students to be employable after high school.

"A certain percent go to work in the same field but the importance of these programs is that they're really good at keeping kids interested in school," Raponi said.

"Competition provides a motivation. In Nevada, there's five career and technical organizations and SkillsUSA is one of them. It's about enhanced education."

While they're preparing to compete at state competitions, students learn useful leadership skills.

"I'm really excited about the program," said senior Allison Hines, 17. "I'm interested in learning leadership skills like learning how to do job interviews and how to do applications for jobs."