SkillsUSA-VICA is a professional student organization for students in trade, industrial, technical or health programs. Members exchange ideas, discuss problems and work together toward common goals. SkillsUSA-VICA offers students a chance to gain recognition for themselves, their program and the College through competition in occupational skill areas and leadership development contests.

Albert Lea Advisors:
Mike Bute, Mike.Bute@riverland.edu
Jason Merritt, Jason.Merritt@riverland.edu
Melissa Diegnau, Melissa.Diegnau@riverland.edu

Austin Advisors:
Larry Peterson, Larry.Peterson@riverland.edu
Tom Wilker, Tom.Wilker@riverland.edu
Janice Blancard, Janice.Blanchard@riverland.edu

Albert Lea Meetings

Albert Lea SkillsUSA will meet in room 114 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM on:
September 27
October 11
October 25
November 8
November 22
December 6       

SkillsUSA 2011 March 25-27, 2011 in Bloomington, MN 

Good afternoon all!  My name is Melissa Diegnau, and I am one of the SkillsUSA advisors for the Albert Lea Chapter of SkillsUSA.  We just got back from the SkillsUSA State Competition that was held March 25-27, 2011 in Bloomington, MN, and we wanted to share with you a little bit about our weekend. 

We had 15 people attend from the Albert Lea chapter, 13 students and 2 advisors.  The students that participated were from the auto service, diesel technician, industrial maintenance, and electrician programs.  The advisors that attended were Mike Bute (Diesel Technology) and I (Business and Office).

The competitions that the students were involved in included: general competitions such as trade math, extemporaneous speaking, job interview, and mechanical dexterity. The technical competitions that the students participated in included: automotive service technology, diesel equipment technology, and mechatronics.

Mike and I couldn't be more proud of the students that participated in these events!  It takes time and commitment to prepare and to attend such a lengthy competition.  Students apart of SkillsUSA take the initiative to challenge themselves with something new, and are willing to compete against the best-of-the-best in their field.  Students that compete in these events come from colleges and high schools across the state of Minnesota, making the competition fierce.  I have included a list below of the students that attended.  If you see these students in the hall I would encourage you to give them a "high-five" for these students truly are leaders and take pride in what they do.

Students that attended: Steve Shaunce, Jeremiah Watkins, Alex Kay, Brian Croce, Jeremy Harmer, Tim Braund, Samuel Wipplinger, Patrick Harmer, Cody Nielson, Mark  Bousman, Genaro Duarte, Shane Roisen, Dean Pecinovsky