February is National Career and Technical Education Month. As part of the celebration, 43 student leaders came to Pierre Feb. 5-6, for the South Dakota Career and Technical Student Organizations’ Legislative Shadow Day.
Activities began with an evening social Feb. 5 for students, legislators, cabinet members and state agency staff. Throughout the day on Feb. 6, students shadowed legislators at committee meetings and then observed House and Senate floor sessions.
“Career and technical education equips students with skills for high-demand careers,” said Laura Scheibe, director of career and technical education for the South Dakota Department of Education. “Our state’s student leaders are great ambassadors for the tremendous value of career and technical education in our state.”
Five CTSOs are active in South Dakota: DECA, an association of marketing students; Future Business Leaders of America; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; FFA; 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.
A list of participants and photo of students with Gov. Kristi Noem and Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden are below.
Student Name CTSO High School/Technical Institute/University (Hometown)
Stefanie Plummer SkillsUSA Lake Area Technical Institute (Aberdeen)
Keandra Rhead FCCLA Alcester-Hudson High School (Alcester)
Katy Liester FCCLA Baltic High School
Carolyn Blatchford FFA South Dakota State University (Brookings)
Frank Even FCCLA Burke High School
Ariann Van Bockern FFA South Dakota State University (Canton)
Marie Robbins FFA South Dakota State University (Elkton)
Grady Gullickson FFA South Dakota State University (Flandreau)
Meza Meyer FBLA Leola High School (Frederick)
Shannon Lufkins SkillsUSA Lake Area Technical Institute (Gallup, Minn.)
Mia Adams DECA Harrisburg High School
Sydney Marso FBLA Highmore-Harrold High School (Harrold)
Riley Aasby FCCLA Highmore-Harrold High School (Highmore)
Ah-Nung Matrious SkillsUSA Southeast Technical Institute (Hinckley, Minn.)
Kaitlyn Reimer SkillsUSA Lake Area Technical Institute (Lemmon)
Raechael Seidel SkillsUSA Lake Area Technical Institute (Lemmon)
Sarah Kroeger FFA South Dakota State University (Lennox)
Morgan Johnson SkillsUSA Lake Area Technical Institute (Madison)
Moira Duncan FBLA Northwestern Area High School (Mellette)
Autumn Parsons FCCLA Philip High School (Milesville)
Elizabeth Fossum FBLA Mitchell High School
Caleb Jarding FBLA Mitchell High School
Devyn Senska-Thompson SkillsUSA Mitchell High School
Elise Heesch FBLA Sisseton High School (New Effington)
Connie Ismay FFA South Dakota State University (Newell)
TJ Bigge FFA South Dakota State University (Parkston)
Cheyenne Wiedrich SkillsUSA Mitchell Technical Institute (Pierre)
Colton Riley FFA South Dakota State University (Rapid City)
Hannah Owens FCCLA Redfield High School
Breanna Roth FCCLA Redfield High School
Mia Jones DECA Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls)
Genna Sheriff DECA Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls)
Jack Brenneman DECA Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls)
Jueun Nam DECA Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls)
Lujain Khan DECA Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls)
Nick Hanisch FBLA Tri-Valley High School (Sioux Falls)
Christine Stoltenberg FBLA Northwestern Area High School (Stratford)
Cathryn Bauer SkillsUSA Northeast Technical High School – Watertown (Summit)
Derek Miller SkillsUSA Northeast Technical High School – Watertown
Cassandra Jurgens SkillsUSA Northeast Technical High School – Watertown
Gage Hedman SkillsUSA Northeast Technical High School – Watertown
Matt Koopmans SkillsUSA Northeast Technical High School – Watertown
Alayna Tomac SkillsUSA Northeast Technical High School – Watertown (Webster)
