Today's students are tomorrow's leaders, Gov. Mike Parson told more than 2,000 Missouri technical students Thursday, and they'll need to step up to preserve opportunities for success.
As governor, Parson said one of his top priorities is providing future generations with the same opportunities he had to "achieve the American dream."
"My days as a leader will come to an end at some point," Parson told the students. "You will be the next leaders in every capacity, whether you're a school teacher, whether you're a welder, whether you're a builder, whether you're in cybersecurity, health care, the automotive industry, whether you're in law enforcement, whatever it might be. All of you will take your place in society to be able to do your job and to make it better."
Parson spoke at the opening ceremony of the SkillsUSA State Championship on Thursday at State Technical College of Missouri. The annual competition brings together career and technical students from around the state to compete in a series of skills and leadership contests over three days.
Parson said he wants the students, as future leaders, to preserve what it means to be an American and a Missourian.
Becoming the best in their field shouldn't be the end goal for students, he said. They should be focused on lifting up the people around them and making them better.
Parson encouraged the young leaders to help others, noting it's what happens behind the scenes that makes true leaders.
"Somebody in your life looks up to you every day," he said. "You have an opportunity to set the example for what it is you want to see this state look like, what it is you want to see this country to look like."
Reflecting on the sacrifices of past generations, Parson said his time in the Army and in public service have helped shape him into the leader he is today.
"I truly believe you're the leaders of tomorrow," he told the students. "And that obligation will fall on your shoulders, and you're going to have to make sure that you meet the call. That you're able to do that."
"It is your time to keep the American dream alive," Parson continued. "That's why you are the future of this state. You are the future of this country, wherever it may lead you. That responsibility that's going to fall on your shoulders will be the best responsibility you'll ever have."
State Tech has hosted the annual SkillsUSA State Championship for nearly 20 years.
SkillsUSA is a nonprofit national education association with more than 394,000 members across the country. It aids middle schools, high schools, and colleges in preparing students for trades and technical careers.
Roughly 2,300 high school and college students from 75 schools around the state are on State Tech's campus through April 9 to compete in a variety of contests ranging from masonry to firefighting.
It's the first SkillsUSA state championship back in person after the previous two years were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
State Tech President Shawn Strong said the SkillsUSA State Championship was particularly special this year because of the two-year hiatus the college had to take on hosting. He said it was great to have students back.
Student officers for the state chapter of SkillsUSA led the ceremony, which included recognition of technical schools and career centers across the state and an adviser of the year.
In addition to remarks from Parson, Strong and Missouri Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven addressed the sea of red coats to talk about the value of a technical education.
Despite changes caused by the pandemic, Vandeven said the Department of Secondary and Elementary Education's mission of providing access to opportunity hasn't wavered.
"You're also gaining such incredible leadership skills by participating in SkillsUSA," she said. "And think of all the valuable leadership tools you gained through the pandemic these last two years."
She said students have learned to become flexible and quickly pivot to new ways of learning and leading.
Strong said his experience getting his first two-year degree was the most important because it taught him critical thinking skills.
He encouraged students to spend time taking advantage of opportunities they are presented with and continue growing in their chosen field.
The SkillsUSA leadership and skills contests will continue at State Tech through Saturday. Students who win first place in their competition will move on to the national SkillsUSA Championships in June in Atlanta, Georgia.
SkillsUSA students from career and technical schools around Missouri prepared for state championship competitions in State Technical College of Missouri's library. Thursday's contests included several leadership-based activities, such as leadership essays and prepared speeches. The championships continue through Saturday. photo by Ryan
Ethan Weston/News Tribune Charles Arn flies a drone with his back turned while his partner calls out instructions during the Skills USA competition on Thursday, April 7, 2022 at State Technical College in Linn, Mo.