SkillsUSA is a national non-profit organization in which students of vocational and CTE pathways compete and learn valuable skills such as personal skills, professional skills, and technical skills grounded in academics. These skills aid in the development of students all around the nation, making them well rounded individuals. SkillsUSA aims to close the “skills gap”, formally known as the disparity between the skills an employer expects their employees to have, and the actual skills employees possess. My school has implemented this club and uses it to the students benifit. This club has been a major part of my high school career. Starting my freshman year, I selected engineering as my pathway and wanted to focus on architectural design. I was highly invested in the clubs that were associated with this, that's when I joined Barren County ATC’s SkillsUSA. My sophomore year, I would find myself becoming my chapter's secretary. I work hard each and everyday at this club and want to grow the opprotunities that students can take with SkillsUSA. I would continue this leadership role all throughout the rest of my high school years. While obtaining this leadership position at my school, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and run for a Kentucky State SkillsUSA office. This was very new to me considering this was my first ever leadership position. I was elected by SkillsUSA members from the state of Kentucky as President for Kentucky SkillsUSA during my senior year. My time in such a prestigious leadership position has taught me to be comfortable with networking and public speaking. This organization has expanded my experiences and provided me with so many amazing opprotunities. In September 2024, I was chosen out of my state officer group to represent Kentucky at the Washington Leadership Training Institute, in Washington, DC. This is where SkillsUSA members advocate for CTE funding to national legislators. I used my professional, leadership, and communication skills to advocate to Congressman James Comer and Brett Guthrie about the importance of funding CTE programs all over the state of Kentucky. Without the help of SkillsUSA, I would have not stepped out of my comfort zone and tested my limits. SkillsUSA has been a major part of the dedication to expanding my experiences and boundaries, the progress I have made as a senior at Barren County High School is a reflection of hard work and ambition I have learnt through this particular organization.