February is National Career and Technical Education Month. As part of the celebration, 34 student leaders came to Pierre Feb. 3, for the South Dakota Career and Technical Student Organizations’ Legislative Shadow Day. Students shadowed legislators at committee meetings and observed House and Senate floor sessions.
“Career and technical education provides students hands-on learning opportunities, which can set them on the path to high-demand careers,” said Secretary of Education Tiffany Sanderson. “Career and technical student organizations take classroom learning a step further, giving students the chance to connect with peers across the state, develop leadership skills, and learn the importance of community service.”
Students representing the following CTSOs attended this year’s event: Educators Rising; Future Business Leaders of America; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; FFA; SD HOSA, a group for students interested in health sciences; and SkillsUSA, an association of trade, technology, and health occupation students.
By participating in CTSOs, students can apply knowledge and skills learned in the classroom through competitive events; develop leadership and employability skills; and serve their communities.
Career and technical education seeks to equip students with core academic skills and the ability to apply those skills for careers and life. CTE emphasizes employability skills like critical thinking, responsibility, and technical skills related to specific career pathways.
2021 CTSO Legislative Shadow Day Participants
Student Name CTSO High School/Technical College/University
Hunter Eide FFA Gettysburg High School
Beth Nagel FFA Gettysburg High School
Mark Hague FBLA Highmore-Harrold High School
Conlan Rendell FBLA T. F. Riggs High School (Pierre)
Cheraye Arcoren HOSA Todd County High School
Ryder Mortenson FFA Winner High School
Emelye Josko Educators Rising Beresford High School
Leonela Perez HOSA Beresford High School
Shaylee Longe FCCLA Bridgewater-Emery High School
Remington Miklos FCCLA Custer Jr./Sr. High School
Lauren Okine HOSA Dakota Valley High School
Lucas Berg Educators Rising Dell Rapids High School
Faithe Larson FCCLA Dell Rapids High School
Elizabeth DeBoer FFA Deuel High School
Dirby Bawek FFA Doland High School
Caitlynn Barse FFA Groton Area High School
Crista Wiersma Educators Rising Harrisburg High School
Grace Anderson Educators Rising Harrisburg High School
Derek Miller SkillsUSA Lake Area Technical College
Maria Pazour SkillsUSA Lake Area Technical College
Jackson McFaden FFA Milbank High School
Kaia Heilman FCCLA Miller High School
Alexis Haiar FBLA Mitchell High School
Gracie Geppert FCCLA Mitchell High School
Megan Nash FBLA Northwestern High School
Mitchell VanderWal FBLA Northwestern High School
Samantha Olson FFA Northwestern High School
Emma Roth FBLA O’Gorman High school
Erena Jain HOSA O’Gorman High school
Breanna Roth FCCLA Redfield High School
Austyn Burggraff FBLA Tri Valley High School
Morgan Ludens FBLA Tri Valley High School
Matt Koopmans SkillsUSA Watertown High School
Lauren Murphy FCCLA West Central High School
Photo credit South Dakota Department of Education.
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