Four students from Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES, Karli Farmer, Chris DeChick, Ty Gardner and Allison Shadle, were recently named as SkillsUSA officers. 

SkillsUSA is a career technical support organization serving high school and college post-secondary students to help improve the technical, academic and workplace talents of the next generation of the USA skilled workforce. Students can compete at the local or state level in career and technical fields such as: collision repair, health occupations, technical drafting and cosmetology, among others. 

 There is a regional competition in the winter, and the winners of that then go on to the state-wide competition in the spring at the NYS Fairgrounds. State winners go on the national competition

 Each of the four officers were asked:

Why they wanted to run for office and how it felt to be selected to their position?

Karli Farmer (President) – Machining and Welding – Auburn High School

“I was very excited to be named president. I’ve always felt that I was more of a leader, and I enjoy getting everyone involved. And that pushed me into wanting to become president.”

Chris DeChick (Vice President) – Applied Electrical Technology – Weedsport High School

“I really liked SkillsUSA last year. I enjoyed the volunteer work and the competition itself, so I figured I’d be able to continue that while holding an officer position.”

Ty Gardner (Treasurer) – Outdoor Power Equipment – Union Springs High School

“I wanted to enhance my BOCES experience. I just wanted to be more involved with BOCES and SkillsUSA and really help with financial side of things.”

Allison Shadle (Secretary) – Graphic Design and New Media – Skaneateles High School

“I was interested because I really wanted to be a part of something and be more connected to my interests. SkillsUSA is such a huge opportunity for us, and I jumped at the chance to become more involved with it.”