SkillsUSA Massachusetts

2010 Districts Memo

Feb 01, 2010

We have sent out the annual District Conference Update Memo to all chapter advisors.

2010 Registration forms available

Jan 25, 2010

Tragedy in Haiti – linked to the SkillsUSA Massachusetts family.

Jan 23, 2010

As we all know, the world suffered one of the greatest natural disasters in history last Tuesday, January 12, 2010. The 7.0 earthquake that was centered just outside Port-au-Prince imperiled the lives of all those in Haiti, including Britney Gengel; Massachusetts resident and cousin to John Steiner, who is a member of our state leadership team serving SkillsUSA a photographer on our Media Team.

Britney Gengel, age 20 was one of 14 members of the Lynn University, Boca Raton, Florida group who were there on a mission trip. All 14 were on site at the Hotel Montana when the quake struck, and Lynn University is reporting there is reason to believe that the four missing students, including Britney, and two faculty may be there still.

In the days since that tragedy, we have all been captivated by the stories of heroism, triumph, anguish and loss that have followed in the wake of this earthquake. And every day, the world rejoices for what good news has been broadcast out of the country.

SkillsUSA Massachusetts wishes to express our support to John Steiner and his family, the Gengels. We want them to know that this tragedy is not their tragedy alone. It affects us all. It affects people from around the world. And it impacts most severely those in Haiti itself – the people who call that country home.

Lynn University’s “Journey of Hope” students, including John’s cousin, Britney, went to Haiti to deliver hope. Eight have returned. And six, including Britney, remain missing. Britney’s family, Lynn University and SkillsUSA Massachusetts still have hope- hope that a miracle is in the making. Hope that the six are found safe and sound. And hope that many others too will be freed and reunited with loved ones around the world.

SkillsUSA Massachusetts, in support of John Steiner, his family; the Gengel’s and most especially Britney, is joining the world in seeking to alleviate the suffering in Haiti. To join the relief effort, SkillsUSA Massachusetts strongly encourages our chapters and members to support the efforts of The American Red Cross.

We also believe the “Text 90999 Project” is an appropriate and powerful way for an individual to make a personal contribution immediately to disaster relief efforts in Haiti. Text the word Haiti to 90999 and $10 will be charged to your phone bill and given to relief projects run through the Red Cross.

For additional ideas and information please visit the National SkillsUSA website. Messages of support for John Steiner and his family can be sent to kward@maskillsusa.org.

Web Store

Nov 17, 2009

Thank you, Senator Kennedy

Aug 29, 2009

A champion of career technical education, Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts passed away on Tuesday, August 26, 2009 from brain cancer. He was 77.

He was a staunch supporter of career technical education. He played an important role in passing the School-to-Work Opportunities Act, which have provided millions of students a variety of work and school opportunities, up-to-date resources, and hands-on experiences for students to enter the workforce. He also helped pass the Vocational Education Amendments of 1968 which helped shape vocational education programs and established a National Advisory Council on Vocational Education. In 1984 the Vocational Education Act was renamed the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act, and established programs emphasizing the acquisition of job skills through both vocational and technical education. The Perkins Act is essential to the funding of career technical education programs all over our state. In 1990 the bill established the tech-prep program. The bill was reauthorized in 1998.

A champion of community service, he shared in SkillsUSA’s belief that community service is vital to the future generations of Americans. In 1990 he helped pass the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1990, which created AmeriCorps in 1993.

Senator Kennedy was also a supporter of higher education, working with Senator Claiborne Pell in 1972 to create the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant, which was renamed the Pell Grant in 1980. Pell grants increased the availability of grant aid to disadvantaged children. In addition, he was a key supporter of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which protected women from discrimination in educational institutions. In 2007 he helped pass the College Cost Reduction Act, which authorized a $23 billion increase in student aid. It also reigned in interest rates on undergraduate subsidized student loans to help make debt more manageable for student borrowers. Recently, he helped pass a variety of acts to ensure continued availability of federal financial aid to college students, despite an economy in recession.

Whenever the SkillsUSA Massachusetts delegation visited Washington D.C. during the Washington Leadership Training Institute, if he was in the nation’s capitol he made sure that he had taken time out of his busy schedule to meet with us. Many of our state staff and former state officers have fond memories of our visits with him.

SkillsUSA Massachusetts will sorely miss a true champion of our beliefs, our state, and our fellow citizens. Thank you, Senator Kennedy, for everything and taking care of all of us.

Senator Kennedy’s website is allowing supporters like you to submit our memories of our senator, and to express our sympathies with the Kennedy family. Selected memories will be displayed on TedKennedy.org. We have already sent in our message—will you send your message too?

Share your memories at TedKennedy.org

PMC-92 miles closer to a cure

Jul 29, 2009

A message from Karen Ward, SkillsUSA Massachusetts Director:

On August 1, 2009, I am again participating in the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge. The PMC is a 92-mile bicycle ride to raise money for cancer research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, through its Jimmy Fund. Additionally, the PMC is the best fundraising effort of its kind donating 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar directly to the cause.

As you probably know, I made my novice run last year and was able to finish in 7 hours and 15 minutes (better than I thought) and raised $3,200.00 for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. At the time I was thrilled to have accomplished the goal in my sister’s name and in the names of all of your loved ones for whom you asked me to ride. (I rode with each name on my helmet as a tribute to their courage strength and memory.) – It was a wonderful experience!

As many of you know, my family has been deeply affected by cancer as my mother and sister both lost their lives to breast cancer. While their absence from our family continues to be enormously painful—everyday—and it was the feeling of helplessness and the need to do something which brought me to last year’s ride.

However, this year I will ride with a whole new awareness since little did I know that three months after last year’s ride, I would personally become all too familiar with the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the battle of fighting cancer.

With a December, 2008 diagnosis of Breast Cancer, my life has been altered in such a profound way that I can only describe it as my greatest fear coming true, my greatest challenge, and in the end my greatest opportunity…to truly live.

Last year, I was asked many times “why would you want to ride 92 miles in one day?” And my best answer seemed to be “why not?” It sure seemed like the right thing to do. While the ride was a wonderful experience for me, it cannot compare with the meaning with which I will embark upon this year’s ride.

Therefore, my ride, while raising money for research and treatment, will be above all be my way of saying “thank-you” for the care, support, encouragement and love that I received as well as a tribute to every individual affected by cancer…those who are survivors, those who currently struggle, those who are caregivers, and those who have lost their courageous battle but remain forever in our hearts and minds.

Nothing can compare with the grace, grit, strength, and courage with which so many have faced their battle with cancer and if you have ever said…“if only there were something I could do.” Well, the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge is what I can do and with your help, it can be so much more.

If you are interested in helping me meet my fundraising goal and provide support for cancer research and treatment, I would be most appreciative. To make a donation, there are two options available as follows:

Option 1: e-gifts

e-gifts can be made on-line using a major credit card by going on-line to http://www.pmc.org/egifts/ . To link your donation to me you should choose the first option: “sponsor one rider with one gift” and use my e-gift ID which is KW0102. (you can also search for me by name.)

Once you have entered my e-gift ID KW0102 (or name) click “search” the page will present Karen Ward – Marshfield, MA US and then you can enter the amount of your donation and credit card information.

Option 2: Checks

If you would prefer to send your donation in check form you can most certainly do that! Here is how.

Make your check payable to Pan-Massachusetts Challenge. Please do not make checks payable to me!

Send your check to me at my work address:

Karen Ward
SkillsUSA Massachusets
250 Foundry Street
South Easton, MA 02375

I will collect all donations made by check and deposit them with the PMC. The PMC provides all riders with deposit tickets and mailing labels to insure proper deposit and connection to a specific rider. Again, please do not make checks payable to me!

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this email and thanks for your consideration of a donation to benefit cancer research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund.

Oh yeah, I would also appreciate your kind thoughts on Saturday, August 1, 2009! I am sure it will be a long day but in the end well worth the effort.

For those interested in reading about Karen’s ride last year, her 2008 ride report can be downloaded here