Congratulations to Mary Heller - SkillsUSA State Director being named to the Montana Board of Public Education!

The daughter of a farmer from the Missouri River Breaks of central Montana, Mary Heller followed her dad’s lead while learning how to farm, run a sawmill, or fix equipment in the family shop. She learned firsthand how important it is to have these skills for many different aspects of life. She also learned how important classroom education is and that the two different types of schooling can enhance each other. This background took her on journeys as a secondary education teacher, administering state and federal regulations at oil refineries, and even to the United States Congress as a Legislative Assistant. Mary also brings to the table her experience as Director of the Career Center and Industry Relations at Montana State University-Northern and State Director for SkillsUSA Montana.

Her desire for knowledge was instilled in her by her father who only had an eighth-grade education yet was one of the most well-read and intelligent people of her life. After the death of her mother at a young age, Mary found herself also learning to draw from wit and determination to accomplish whatever task was before her. This passion is evident in the way she approaches educating others, especially those who are first-generation students. Mary’s personal experience is a testament that anyone can find their own level of success if they believe in themselves, work hard, and have a desire to learn.

One of Mary’s favorite quotes is from President Abraham Lincoln: “Whatever you are, be a good one.” It is a credo she strives for in every thing she does every day.

Our 2021 SLSC will begin on March 15^th with a welcome from our state officers to kick off the contest portion of the conference. That portion of the conference will end on March 30^th and then from April 5th -7th, the conference will be in full swing with workshops, awards and announcements, and guest speakers. We are excited to announce the agenda for this portion includes a Welcome message from Governor Greg Gianforte, an advocate for CTE programs.

Anyone can pop in to listen in on the conference by going to conference.skillsusa.org. Once at the first page, all you have to do is register and then sit back and enjoy!

In other exciting news… I am humbled to announce that Governor Gianforte has appointed me to serve on the Montana Board of Public Education. I bring my love of education and passion for the skilled trades and CTE to the table in this service.

In the words of Abraham Lincoln…Whatever you are, be a good one!

Mary Heller, State Director
SkillsUSA Montana
406-399-0640
mary.heller@skillsusamontana.org

The Belgrade School District requires that students have at least 23 credits in order to graduate high school. A normal student completes seven each year if they pass all their classes. Belgrade High School senior Emma Peterson started her junior with none and ended the school year with 16.5.

“Her situation was rare. It’s very difficult to come in as a junior with no credits. Usually we don’t see a whole lot of success with them graduating on time,” Peterson’s school counselor Erica Parrish said. “So she’s kind of like the unicorn.”

When Peterson enrolled in BHS in the fall of 2019, it was her first experience with public schooling. Prior to that, she’d been homeschooled her whole life. Although, she says her homeschool education was far from formal with little assistance and resources available. While she says her family taught her some basic and essential skills, “around third grade, my parents stopped teaching me as much.”

“My parents believed that I could do everything myself,” she said. “And that was really hard because I felt like I couldn’t. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and I know for myself that math was one of my weaknesses and I couldn’t figure it out myself.”

Realizing that she needed an education in order to officially graduate, Peterson began asking if she could attend classes, but her requests were denied...

“HOSA-Future Health Professionals” is a Career and Technical Student Organization that focuses on high school students interested in pursuing a career in health professions.  Each year we sponsor a State Leadership Conference for students.  This gives members the opportunity to practice their health professions and employability skills.  Some of you may have been members in your high school.

Montana HOSA is going virtual for their spring State Leadership Conference. Included in the conference is the Competitive Events Program which is often a highlight of the year and is designed to provide a system for recognizing the competencies developed by members through Health Science and Biomedical Science class instruction, related job training, and HOSA related activities. HOSA provides a national competitive events program as a means of recognizing those students who are willing to pursue excellence by preparing for competition and having the determination to attend a conference and participate in a competitive event. Montana students have the opportunity to compete at both the State Leadership Conference (SCL) and, if they qualify, the International Leadership Conference (ILC).

We would be honored to have your help judging any of the events for our virtual conference.

Judge Orientation will be via Zoom from 4pm to 6pm March 22 or March 24^th.  We ask that you sign up in advance for one of the trainings, so we have materials ready for your event.

Judging will take place from March 30^th through April 6^th.  You will be given access to a Box file where the student projects will be housed.  All events have specific electronic rubrics for you to use, so judging each event is simplified.  Once you add your scores to the rubric sheet you will send in the completed rubrics to the Box file.

To sign up as a judge, please send:

• Your name ____________________________________
• Email_________________________________________
• Phone number _________________________________
• Event choice___________________________________
• Orientation date_________________________________

To Renee Erlandsen, Health Science Education Specialist at:  Rerlandsen@mt.gov.

If you would like a little more description of each event, please click on the link below to our MT HOSA website at: www.montanahosa.org (Note! In case you were wondering, our Health Professions and Emergency Preparedness events will be written tests only and are scored through National HOSA).

The Montana FFA Association will be holding its annual State FFA Convention April 7^th – 10^th in Billings, Montana.  The “Connected by Corduroy” themed convention will be hosting in-person events as well as in-person general sessions.  Additionally, the convention will be streamed online for those who want or need to participate virtually.  Competitions that will occur during the convention will include; Ag Sales, Mechanics, Agronomy, Conduct of Meetings, Parliamentary Procedure, Livestock, Star Greenhand, and Extemporaneous Speaking.  Masks and social distancing guidelines will be in place during the general sessions held throughout the convention. 

Prior to the convention there will be a number of competitions that will be held either online or at other locations.  The Cascade FFA Alumni will once again be virtually hosting the Employment Skills, Ag Communication, Marketing Plan and Ag Issues events.  The Missoula FFA Alumni and teachers from Western Montana will be hosting Meats, Floriculture, Forestry, Horse, Vet Science and Food Science competitions.  Montana State University’s Agriculture Education Department will be conducting online activities that include; Agriscience, Creed Speaking, and Prepared Speaking.  Finally, Logan Standley from Lewistown will be hosting an online Agriculture Business Management competition. 

In addition to competitive events during the convention, there will be a number of leadership opportunities available either in-person or online.  Over 150 members will receive their State FFA Degree which is the highest degree that a member can attain at the state level and there will be 25 individuals who are in consideration for fourteen different $250 State Proficiency Awards.  Additionally, 21 individuals will go through a series of interviews to be named as one of eight State FFA Officers for the coming year. 

Montana FFA is searching for volunteers for both in-person and virtual student contests. Supporters can volunteer by joining us in Billings or the comfort of their own home to help support FFA members’ leadership development and career preparation through these experiential learning opportunities. Opportunities for judging and volunteering can be found at this link: https://signup.com/go/xYescqK

Those interested in getting involved with the 91st Annual Montana FFA Convention, including organizations who wish to exhibit and connect with FFA members, can visit the Montana FFA Convention website for more details: www.montanaffa.org/convention

The Montana FFA Foundation supports 99 FFA chapters across the state of Montana, representing over 5,000 members. The Montana FFA Foundation’s mission is to cultivate partnerships, promote awareness and secure resources to enhance Agricultural Education and the Montana FFA Association. 

The 74th Annual Montana FCCLA State Leadership Conference is just around the corner and we’re still looking for over 50 event evaluators to evaluate student projects! 

Throughout the year, students develop projects to address needs in their community and present their projects in one of thirty-two competitive events. This year the conference will be held online as a virtual event! From Monday, March 22, 2021, to Wednesday, March 31, 2021, the competitive events portion of the conference is taking place via a virtual platform called JudgePro. 

Would you be willing to contribute as an event evaluator? This is an opportunity for you to influence our future leaders by helping students recognize their strengths and challenge them to improve their skills.  Please indicate your interest in evaluating competitive events by clicking the evaluation form below.

Senior Send-Off: Reach Higher Montana is celebrating the graduating Class of 2021, and invites ALL seniors to share their post-high school plans through Senior Send-Off. We're awarding over $30,000 in prizes for participating students. Prizes include scholarships, tool and equipment packages, laptops, iPads, AirPods, and more. Students must register by April 23 to be included in the prize drawings.

More Details

Now in its third year, the Helena Area Summer Jobs Program helps students “earn and learn” through paid summer positions, mentorships, and professional development. 

Last summer Anthony secured an internship in a local bank, and he said, “I learned how to work in customer service, and how an entire company can work together.” Anthony is now in his first year of college, and his Summer Jobs Program experience solidified his choice to study finance. The program enables students to develop their work skills and explore career options.

Another student, JoElla, had never held a formal job and was overwhelmed with the process of seeking and applying for jobs. Through the Summer Jobs Program, she had support creating a resume and practicing interview skills. JoElla was matched with a position that fit her skills and interests of working with people. Throughout the summer, she met with a volunteer adult mentor. The mentor guided JoElla through conversations about how to handle angry customers, working in a team, and how to gain confidence at work.  JoElla said, “I would absolutely recommend this program because it gives you work experience while also giving you a mentor to help guide you through the process.” 

The summer jobs program: 

1. connects high school students with a paid internship or job,
2. provides a paid work skills training, and
3. matches students with an adult mentor for the summer.

Despite Covid-19 and high unemployment, the Helena Summer Jobs Program (SJP) connected 32 Helena-area high school students with employment opportunities in 2020.

American Jobs for America’s Youth Montana (AJAY MT) and Helena Workforce Innovation Networks (Helena WINS), an initiative of the Helena Area Chamber of Commerce, collaborated to create the program.  In 2021, the Helena Area Summer Jobs Program will include the East Helena, Helena, and Townsend communities, in partnership with the nonprofit STOKE. Additionally, AJAY MT received a Helena City of Service grant in partnership with Helena College and Reach Higher Montana which will support SJP initiatives this coming summer.

Volunteer community partners – schools, businesses, organizations, and citizen mentors – are central to the success of the program. School staff help recruit students. Employers offer on-the-job training and coaching. Mentors meet with students to discuss what they are learning at work and how it can serve them in their future academic and job options. 

These partners also reinforce the work-skills training that students complete prior to the summer. The four-hour work-skills training focuses on fundamental job skills, also called 21^st century skills, such as time management, communication, conflict management, and customer service. iGraduate, an initiative of the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, the Office of Public Instruction and the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, provided grant funding for the Summer Jobs Program in 2019, 2020, and 2021. The grant funds stipends, which students receive upon successful completion of the work skills training.

In 2020, students and employers were very satisfied with the program - 100% of the students said they would recommend the program to others and over 95% of employers said they would like to host students again in the future! Partner employers include governmental, nonprofit and for-profit organizations. “Internships are important for our business and we love to help students,” said a supervisor from Lewis & Clark County offices.

If you are a community member or school staff that would like to learn more about implementing a Summer Jobs Program in your community, please contact Gabrielle at gerowley@americanjobs4youth.org.