SkillsUSA isn’t just a club at Bryan High School—it’s a launchpad. Designed to prepare middle and high school students for the workforce, the national organization gives students hands-on experience in careers ranging from construction and cosmetology to health science and HVAC. For juniors Emanuel Ordaz and Denise Lopez, SkillsUSA has done more than introduce career pathways; it has helped shape their confidence, leadership, and sense of purpose.

Both students’ journeys into leadership began with curiosity and a willingness to take a risk. Becoming a SkillsUSA officer starts with reaching out to a teacher and learning more about the organization, followed by a demanding application process.

“Before I moved to Bryan High School as a sophomore, one of my health science advisors suggested it,” Denise said. “She told me there was an opportunity to apply to be a district officer in February.”

After submitting written applications, Denise and Emanuel advanced to interviews and a required two-minute speech, which was a daunting task, especially for first-time candidates.

“When I found out I had to give a speech to be elected, that was the hardest part,” Emanuel said. “I was like, ‘Stage fright.’”

Once elected, officers don’t immediately know what role they’ll serve in. Positions are determined through a popular vote during the annual Summer Leadership Conference.

“When you go to Summer Leadership in the first week of June, that’s when you find out your position,” Denise said. “You also meet your district team. All of us were from different schools, and we didn’t know each other before that.”

The conference serves as an intensive introduction to SkillsUSA, teaching officers their responsibilities and the organization’s guiding principles.

“At the conference, we learned everything about the framework,” Denise said. “When we ran, we didn’t fully understand what SkillsUSA was.”

The framework, comprising personal, technical, and workplace skills, was a major focus of last summer’s training.

“We went in-depth and learned how to bring it back to our schools to strengthen our chapters and build better leaders,” Denise said.

Officers also practiced real-world communication skills, including delivering an effective elevator pitch.

“If I got into an elevator with an influential person and they asked, ‘What is SkillsUSA?’ I’d need to explain it in about 30 seconds,” Denise said.

Both juniors arrived at the conference with personal goals in mind.

“I had three goals,” Emanuel said. “Make friends with my team, figure out how I fit in, and gain confidence.”

Denise entered with similar intentions.

“I wanted to find my place,” she said. “What leadership skills am I good at? What do I need to work on? And how can I leave better than when I arrived?”

That confidence was put to the test when the two traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for the Perkins Act through the Washington Leadership Training Institute. The funding could bring approximately $300,000 to Bryan High’s Career and Technical Education programs.

“We met with senators and House representatives to advocate in person,” Denise said. “They can read an email, but it’s different when someone is standing in front of you explaining why it matters.”

Back in the classroom, Denise’s leadership skills are already evident, according to health science teacher Andrea Tate.

“As a future healthcare worker, she has to be caring, compassionate, and able to work well with others,” Tate said. “Those skills are very clear in both class and lab.”

Tate believes Denise’s experiences will continue to pay off beyond high school.

“These opportunities provide unparalleled leadership experience,” she said. “They give her a strong foundation for college and the workplace.”

Construction teacher George Guajardo has seen similar growth in Emanuel.

“He was shy at first,” Guajardo said. “But his work in SkillsUSA opened him up as a leader. He takes charge more in the classroom now.”

As the program’s safety manager, Emanuel has also stepped into a role that requires responsibility, guiding peers and enforcing safety standards.

“He’s stepped up to represent our program,” Guajardo said. “He asks for more opportunities and encourages others to join by explaining what SkillsUSA is all about.”

For both students, SkillsUSA has been more than a résumé booster; it’s been transformative.

“It completely changed how I see myself,” Denise said. “It made me realize there’s no difference between you and the most influential person you can think of—we’re all people.”