Creating the leaders of tomorrow today.

Creating the leaders of tomorrow today. "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, domore and become more, you are a leader." Those words from one ofour founding fathers, John Quincy Adams, could perfectly describe theadvisers and students of our Career and Technical Student Organizations(CTSOs). Students who participated in CTSOs have gone on to becomeleaders in business, education and public service in our nation. Amongformer CTSO members are university presidents, governors, U.S.Congressmen and Senators, and a former President of the United States.FFA member Jimmy Carter. Who are the students of today's CTSOs, andwhat great destinies are in store for them? Just learning a little aboutthe national officers of our CTSOs brings hope for the future of ournation. Business Professionals of America Business Professionals of America (BPA) National SecondaryPresident Brian Kelleher is a freshman at the University of Delaware,where he is studying political science and economics with a minor inlegal studies. He previously served as the national treasurer of theSecondary Division. For the past six years, he has been an active memberof BPA from the middle level all the way to post secondary. He hasserved as an officer on the local and state levels as well. He is athree-time Ambassador Torch Award Recipient, two-time Member Recruiterof the Year, a BPA Merit Scholar, and a WeSeed Social Circle Challengewinner. In high school, Kelleher served as class president and president ofStudents Against Destructive Decisions. He was also involved in theNational Honor Society, Math League, and Mock Trial. Kelleher ismajoring in political science in hopes of attaining a joint MBA/JD, andone day becoming a successful corporate lawyer. Kelleher says,"Through BPA I have gained the ability, knowledge and know-how toappropriately conduct myself in a professional setting while exceedingthe expectations of those I am serving." BPA College/Postsecondary President Micah Hopper joined BPA in 2008and has been active in leadership ever since. He has served as localchapter president, state president and now the national president. Hehas received the Ambassador Award and has placed in the top 10 each yearat Nationals in his competitive events. He has been active in hiscommunity as an assistant speech coach, volunteer assistant footballcoach, youth group leader, advisory member of the Economic DevelopmentAuthority and through Big Buddies. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In addition to being a father of three small children as well as afoster daughter, Hopper is a business owner and attends Minnesota WestCommunity and Technical College in Jackson as a full-time student. Hewill have numerous computer degrees alter graduating, as well as abusiness degree, all of which will help him in his computer consultingbusiness. "BPA has given me the opportunity to make a difference inpeople's lives by helping them grow as leaders," Hopper says."It has also given me the leadership experience that I was lookingfor to be a successful business owner." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DECA DECA High School Division President Kurtis Conkel, a graduate ofLincoln East High School, in Lincoln, Nebraska, began his DECAinvolvement during his freshman year. He was the vice president ofpublic relations for East DECA and won the state conference inrestaurant and food service management (RFSM) during his junior year. Heserved as the vice president of alumni collegiate DECA services forNebraska DECA, also winning at the state conference in RFSM at thebeginning of his senior year. At Lincoln East High School and in thecommunity of Lincoln, Conkel has been involved in the Lincoln EastStudent Council, the National Honor Society, Youth Leadership Lincoln,Varsity Track and Field, Varsity Swimming and was an East Ambassador. Heis an intern for Strictly Busies Magazine. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Collegiate DECA President Josh Shankle is a student at NorthwoodUniversity in Cedar Hill, Texas. After taking a year off to serve themembers of Collegiate DECA, Shankle will continue pursuing hisbachelor's degree as a marketing major with a minor in finance. Hebegan his DECA career in 2004 at Haltom High School in Haltom City,Texas, where he served as chapter president and won competitions at thestate level in five different events. He highlighted his high schoolDECA experience by serving as the state vice president for Texas DECA.As a student at Northwood University, in additional to his DECAactivities, Shankle has served in the Student Government Association andwas selected to serve as a Royal Ambassador for the university. He plansto graduate in 2012 and continue to pursue his passion for DECA as ahigh school marketing teacher and DECA adviser. "Collegiate DECA has offered me countless leadershipopportunities," says Shankle. "Whether working with mychapter, state officer teams, a partner in competition or now thenational officer team, I have grown as a leader in numerous ways.I've learned the values of cooperation and delegation, initiativeand decisiveness, and communication and understanding. As a leader inCollegiate DECA, I'm constantly asked to tackle tasks that may notbe familiar to me, but if I've learned one thing in thisorganization, I've learned that it never hurts to ask forhelp." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) NationalPresident Ravi Karia joined FCCLA because after watching his sisterserve as the Texas state president, he wanted to know what "TheUltimate Leadership Experience" fell like "FCCLA has helpeddevelop my leadership skills by improving my communication skills withmy peers, adults and my family members," says Karia. "FCCLAhas also helped develop my leadership skills by giving me theopportunity to connect and learn from other leaders from across theUnited States." He will use those skills in achieving his threevery impressive life goals: to attend a prestigious college and medicalschool, to become a cardiologist and to start his own chain of hospitalsthat specializes in cardiology. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The National FFA Organization National FFA President Riley Pagett attends Oklahoma StateUniversity in Stillwater, where he majors in agricultural communicationsand religious studies. While in high school, Paged was a member of theNational Honor Society, the Spanish National Honor Society and he servedas class president. In 2008 Pagett was elected the Oklahoma FFAAssociation's state vice president. He has also been involvedactively in his college though the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, theOklahoma State President's Leadership Council, and Collegiate FFA. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As an FFA member, Pagett participated in the Public Speaking CareerDevelopment Event, attended the Washington Leadership Conference and hada diversified livestock operation, which included swine, beef and goats.Pagett says, "My membership in FFA has allowed me to experiencereal, tangible leadership--looking others in the eye when spoken to,shaking hands firmly, holding the door open and practicing manners,recognizing the potential of others and drawing on that potential,delegating work, using time efficiently, allowing others to occasionallytake the lead, speaking confidently, remaining flexible, respecting wisedecisions, overcoming obstacles, and rising to the call of action whenothers nerd you to really serve them." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Postsecondary Agriculture Association Postsecondary Agriculture Association (PAS) National PresidentCourtney Peterson attends South Dakota State University (SDSU) inBrookings, South Dakota. She will graduate this month with bachelor ofscience degrees in agricultural business and agriculture and resourceeconomics. Through her enrollment in the accelerated master'sprogram at SDSU, she was able to get a head start on her master'sof science in agricultural economics, and upon graduation will have 12credits completed for her master's, in addition to herundergraduate courses. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "The agricultural industry is full of outstanding individualswith incredible stories," says Peterson. "I plan to continuemaking sure that those stories get heard. Assisting others to reachtheir full potential is a powerful thing, and the opportunities to dojust that are abundant in agriculture." Serving as a national officer for PAS for two years taught her morethan just the mechanics of becoming a great leader. As Petersonexplains, "The day I realized the difference between perfection andexcellence is the same day I realized the impact that our stories canhave on others. Perfection is practiced and rehearsed, but excellencecomes from being authentic, knowing who you are and why you do what youdo. That lesson is much more important than anything I've learnedup until that point, and I have PAS to thank for it." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) National President TreverEymard, a senior at South Lafourche High School in Cut Off, Louisiana,has served as his high school's FBLA chapter president and asLouisiana FBLA state president. In March of 2010, Eymard made history asthe first LAFBLA state president to be re-elected to a second term inoffice. He currently retains that office, in addition to being senioreditor of his school paper, executive adviser of the Math and ScienceClub, and vice president of the National Honor Society. He is also aHugh O'Brien Youth Leadership (HOBY) alumnus and serves LouisianaBoys State as their 2010-2011 governor. Eymard says, "FBLA has given me the tools to develop my senseof professionalism and active leadership; and by way of this incredibleexperience, I've learned to live a more passionate and successfullife." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) National President Spencer Behrend currentlyattends Brigham Young University in Utah. During the two years that hehas been a PBL member, he has received seven first place awards and onesecond place award on the state level of competition. He was on thedean's list for four consecutive semesters at Utah ValleyUniversity and was last year's Utah representative for Who'sWho in PBL. He also served as Utah's PBL state president during the2009-2010 membership year. While serving in this capacity, he creatednew programs that helped the members of Utah PBL experience more successin the organization. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "My leadership rote within FBLA-PBL has granted me countlessprofessional learning opportunities." Behrend says. "I havedeveloped the abilities to build, lead and work with teams of peoplefrom diverse backgrounds. I have also strengthened my networking andcommunication skills while connecting with members from all over thecountry. These qualifies will benefit me throughout my career employershave already taken notice and consistently express how much they valuemy teamwork and leadership experience." Health Occupations Students of America Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) National PresidentClaire Lucas joined HOSA as a freshman Mooresville High School, NorthCarolina. She competed in the Creative Problem Solving and Career HealthDisplay; Lucas is also a National Recognition Service Project recipientfor her contribution to her chapter establishing an annual event toraise funds and awareness for those living with cystic fibrosis. Otherexperiences include The HOSA Internship in the Office of the SurgeonGeneral and The HOSA Washington Leadership Academy. Now a college sophomore, she attends North Carolina StateUniversity on the Park Scholarship and as a University Scholar. Lucas isan industrial engineer concentrating in health systems engineering andbiomechanics. She wants to enhance the efficiency of healthcareprocesses such as operating room scheduling or the fitting of prostheticlimbs. She also engages in service-learning as the associate directorfor Triangle Youth Leadership Services, an organization that encouragesand prepares students to become leaders and effectuate positive changein the community through conferences run by students for students. Sheis also a member of the ShoeManity Team, a project dedicated toproviding shoes to children in the Dominican Republic and Haiti so theycan attend school. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lucas says that throughout her journey she discovered HOSA membersshare one thing in common the desire to better the world at whatevercost. She sees these individuals as exemplifying John Maxwell'swords. "A great leader's courage to fulfill his vision comesfrom passion, not position." SkillsUSA SkillsUSA High School President Katie Grimnes is an industrialengineering student attending Weatherwax High School in Aberdeen,Washington. After completing her studies, she plans to work as anelectrician and eventually open her own business. SkillsUSA College/Postsecondary President Sam Soto is a computertechnology student attending Tennessee Technology Center at Knoxville.He hopes to work as an IT support technician after graduation, buteventually plans to become an educator. "Being a member ofSkillsUSA has taught me that I do not have to have a position to be aleader." say Soto. "I view leadership as helping-people andbuilding each other up. When we build up others, we build a betterworld." Technology Student Association National Technology Student Association (TSA) President ZacharyBarnes is from Laurel Hill, North Carolina, and attends Scotland HighSchool where he is a senior. After high school he plans to double majorin religion and political science. He is involved in many activities andis a great representative of the ways in which TSA fosters personalgrowth, leadership, and opportunities in technology, innovation, designand engineering. The Role of Advisers Behind every great student leader is a great adviser, and CTS()advisers are often unsung heroes who devote their time, energy,knowledge and skills to their students. They instill in these youngpeople the confidence to take on leadership roles in their chapters andin their national organizations. This confidence, along with theacademic knowledge and the technical and life skills that are taught incareer and technical education classrooms, will help create the leadersof tomorrow. Explore More For more information about CTSOs and how they foster leadershipskills in career and technical education students, please visit theseWeb sites. Business Professionals of America www.bpa.org DECA/Delta Epsilon Chi www.deca.org Family, Career and Community Leaders of America www.fcclainc.org The National FFA Organization www.ffa.org National Postsecondary Agricultural Student Organization www.nationalpas.org Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda www.fbla-pbl.org Health Occupations Students of America www.hosa.org SkillsUSA www.skillsusa.org Technology Student Association www.tsaweb.org Susan Reese is a Techniques contributing writer. She can becontacted at susan@printmanagementinc.com ACTE Interested in exploring this topic further? Discuss it withyour colleagues on the ACTE forums at www.acteonline.org/forum.aspx.