EWC Students Participate in Mid-America Leadership Conference
November 3, 2003
 bottom left to right: Liz Vanderpoel, Kimberly Putnam middle left to right: Cody Livingston, Jamie Herdt, Jorge Labrador back left to right: John Mayo, Derek Baker, Pete Cawiezel |
(Torrington, WY) Some Eastern Wyoming College SkillsUSA-VICA members traveled to Columbus, NE on October 22-26, 2003, to participate in the Mid-America Leadership Conference. Students representing EWC during the four day event were Derek Baker, Hawk Springs, Pete Cawiezel, Morrill, NE, Jamie Herdt, Torrington, John Mayo, Lingle, Jorge Labrador, Las Vegas, NV, Cody Livingston, Laramie, Kimberly Putnam, Torrington, and Liz Vanderpoel, Torrington. These students combined with students from chapters from Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin and broke into sub-groups to compete against each other.
The students participated in a variety of activities designed to help develop confidence, skills in public speaking, creative problem solving, and critical thinking. The skills learned will be shared with other members of the EWC SkillsUSA-VICA chapter as well as other organizations throughout the state. This conference promotes professional leadership that helps the students at the state or national level of SkillsUSA-VICA and often carries through as the students enter the workforce. "This year was the first time [EWC] students attended the conference. They did very well and came back with many good ideas. I am excited to see the impact it will have on our local chapter as a whole," Kristi McGuire, EWC advisor, stated.
The group received special recognition by winning the Leadership and Professional Development Award by exemplifying the qualities of professionalism throughout the conference. Cawiezel, Mayo, Livingston, and Putnam placed first in Outstanding Chapter while Baker, Herdt, Labrador and Vanderpoel placed second. Receiving first place finishes were Mayo in Extemporaneous Speaking, Livingston in Opening and Closing Ceremony, and Vanderpoel in Job Interview. Receiving second place finishes were Herdt and Labrador in Parliamentary Procedures and Baker in Promotional Bulletin Board. Herdt served as Chapter Secretary while Livingston served as Chapter Vice President.
