Missouri Gov. Mike Parson told local technical education students the world is full of opportunities for their skills as he presented a proclamation marking Feb. 6-10 as "SkillsUSA week."
SkillsUSA is a nonprofit education organization that serves students preparing for technical and skilled service occupations. Parson spoke Tuesday to members of the local SkillsUSA chapter at Nichols Career Center.
Parson told the gathered students, several clad in the red SkillsUSA jackets, that they "are the future."
"If you really want Mike Parson's theory on life, if you really want to change, if you want to change crime, if you want to change health care, if you want to make your lives better and what society's going to look like in the future, it's going to start with an education," he said.
Education is the foundation for tomorrow's workforce, Parson said. He said he had put a lot of emphasis on career and technical education during his time as governor.
"As governor of the state of Missouri, as a sheriff, as an Army veteran, I've always said it's never about being the best at anything," he said. "Being the best governor is not even on my radar. The only thing I want to do is make everybody around me better."
Parson challenged each student to be a leader.
"You can do whatever it is you want to do, if you have the will to try it, and the faith to believe you can, your goals can be as high as my goals are today," he said.
Parson said he's been able to live the American dream and wants to ensure that each student has the opportunity to achieve it, too.
"The demand for your skills, SkillsUSA, I've never seen the demand like I see it right now," Parson said.
Parson then presented students with the proclamation. In return, SkillsUSA members presented a Missouri plaque created by the Mechatronics program filled with symbols of Missouri, including the Capitol and Missouri sports teams.
Julie Smith/News Tribune
With officers of Nichols Career Center Skills USA seated behind him, Gov. Mike Parson addresses Nichols students and staff during Tuesday's visit to the center to congratulate them on their accomplishments thus far and to present them with a resolution and wish them continued success.
Julie Smith/News Tribune
With officers of Nichols Career Center Skills USA seated behind him, Gov. Mike Parson addresses Nichols students and staff during Tuesday's visit to the center to congratulate them on their accomplishments thus far and to present them with a resolution to recognize them for their hard work.
Julie Smith/News Tribune
Skills USA Treasurer Levi Yoder accepts a proclamation from Gov. Mike Parson Tuesday during a visit to Nichols Career Center. Parson congratulated SUSA members on their good work and encouraged them to continue to work hard and do something they enjoy.
Julie Smith/News Tribune
Skills USA member William Lewis presents a 3-D sculpture of Missouri to Gov. Mike Parson Tuesday during a visit in which Parson presented a proclamation to Skills USA at Nichols Career Center and he in turn received a gift from students. Lewis and a fellow NCC student designed the piece, which is in the shape of Missouri and features images of some of Missouri's natural resources and logos of professional sports teams. Standing in the background is SUSA historian Steve Gentry.
Julie Smith/News Tribune
Upon concluding the Skills USA ceremony at Nichols Career Center Tuesday morning, Gov. Mike Parson visited with students, stopping to talk shop with Skye Schubert, mmiddle, who Parson noticed was wearing a Snap On® tools hoodie and asked her if she was a mechanic. She explained that her brother is and got her the shirt. Schubert, who is a student at Blair Oaks High School, attends Nichols Career Center in the mornings. Next to her is Calvary Lutheran High School student Lydia Meller and South Callaway student Avery Gerlt. Standing at right is Gavin Thomas from New Bloomfield High School.