2009 Project Santa participants (L-R)

Sophie K., Mahlet M., "Santa" Elmer, Gina S., Shelby S., Anna Z., Emily Z., x Brittany B., Anna C., x, Mr. Etzel, Jarod, x, Ryan D., x

2009 National Competitors

(6/29/09)

Mackenzie Auers, Hanna Daniel, Mahlet Makonnen, Rose Nguyen, Brieah Simms, Shelby Spurlin, and Anna Zhao competed in Opening & Closing Ceremonies Team and Mark Boettcher competed in Prepared Speech. The team was advised by Scott Etzel and Debbie Belfry.

Kennedy to Compete @ MN SkillsUSA Champs

(3/23/09)

This year's crop of Kennedy SkillsUSA competitors seeks to earn an unprecedented 6th consecutive gold medal in Quiz Bowl, gold in Opening and Closing Ceremonies Team, and improvement in Firefighting and Crime Scene Investigation. Scott Etzel has assumed the lead advisor role of the chapter this year and watched the chapter blossom under his advising. Students train in the leadership and technical skill areas and then compete against other competitors, but also against industry standards that are revised each year to match changes in the industry.This is the third or fourth year for some competitors and they have experienced the level of competition at the national level. "Once students get a taste of competition at Nationals in Kansas City, they only care about improving their level of competition," states Etzel.    

The Award Ceremony is a highly motivating experience where students receive terrific recognition for a job well-done. The general public is welcome!

Project Santa Serves Harriet Tubman for Holidays

(12/20/08)

The Harriet Tubman Shelter in Minneapolis was the recipient of holiday cheer courtesy of the Kennedy SkillsUSA chapter. This is the fifth year that Kennedy students have partnered with the shelter for a community service project. The students organize committees to seek donations from community businesses and the general public, make sleighs or this year, stockings, and then develop activities for the children who are living at the shelter. Scott Etzel, lead advisor, said, "The kids really rallied around these children and went to an extra effort to make the event successful!" Santa Claus, a.k.a. Kevin Chederquist, was present for photographs with the children.

This event helps the students recognize how to participate in charitable giving and to seek out entities in the community that need special attention. Harriet Tubman Family Alliance provides shelter and services for families suffering from domestic violence. The Kennedy Chapter raised $680 in donations and services and provided a $240 donation check to the shelter. Anyone still interested in supporting Project Santa can contact Scott Etzel at setzel@bloomington.k12.mn.us or 952-681-5225.

Three SkillsUSA Students Elected to State Office

(11/25/08)

Ten Kennedy students travelled with advisor Scott Etzel to Duluth for the MN State SkillsUSA Delegate Assembly in the hopes of successfully campaigning and electing a candidate. Their expectations were exceeded when all three candidates were elected! Mark Boettcher is returning as a state officer, Hanna Daniel, the chapter president was elected and Mahlet Makonnen, a sophomore was the third Kennedy candidate elected to the prestigious office. The newly-elected officers are part of a seven-officer team which will undergo training Dec. 6-7 in Bloomington in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Education. They will determine the actual officer roles in a long-range planning session in January. The officers will preside over conferences and advocate for education issues with the legislature. The Kennedy students learned about the electoral process, practiced and critiqued public speaking and presentation skills, and made team decisions.

SkillsUSA to MN Leadership Conference
(10/13/08)

Kennedy's chapter of SkillsUSA is participating in the 22nd annual Minnesota Leadership Training Institute in St. Cloud on October 23-26, 2008. The students will be grouped with other high school and college students from around the state where they will organize and mobilize in competition with other groups. Each group will create, conduct and document for presentation community service projects, professional development seminars, and technical skill competitions. Students learn to assess their own personality profiles and adopt the mission of a group. The experience is highly motivating and prepares the students to make an impact in their own communities.

SkillsUSA is a leadership and technical development student organization servicing the needs of education and industry through 240,000 student members.

Conor and Mahlet get some nourishment during the conference.

Mark leads his conference team as its president

2008-09 Kennedy SkillsUSA Chapter Officers

President: Hanna Daniel

Vice-President: Mark Boettcher

Secretary: Kelsey Cook

Treasurer: Mahlet Makonnen

Historian: Nardos Makonnen

Parliamentarian: Cat Choy

Reporter: Breiah Simms

2008-09 State SkillsUSA competitions available to Kennedy students:

Action Skills - Deb Finch/Rhonda Halunen

Ad Design - Scott Etzel

Carpentry - Brad Pike

Community Service - Staff

Computer Maintenance Technology - Mike Holman

Crime Scene Investigation - Nels Dokken

Culinary - Kari McElveen

Firefighting - Joe Meuwissen/Craig Banham

Internetworking - Mike Holman

Job Interview - Cheryl Martin

Job Skill Demonstration - Deb Finch

Opening & Closing Ceremony Team - Staff

Outstanding Chapter - Staff

Photography - Nate Pakan

Pre-Engineering - Scott Etzel

PreschoolTeaching Assistant  - Kristin Donnelly

Prepared/Extemporaneous Speech - Amanda Hanson

Quiz Bowl - Chris Lyons

Related Technical Math - Ryan Keith

TV Broadcasting - Michelle Christenson

Video Production - Shane John

Web Design - Kevin Chederquist