SHORT BIOS
Capturing character, ambition and achievement in 60 words or less
These bios were commissioned for community college students competing in the 2020 SkillsUSA Championships (cancelled because of the COVID-19 lockdown). Each tells a story of ambition, resilience and skill.
NAME: Devante
PROGRAM: Business Administration
COMPETITION: Quiz Bowl
BEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: National Technical Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa membership
Winning the Quiz Bowl is but one item on Devante’s bucket list. He also plans to seek election as a SkillsUSA State Officer. And start a business. Yes, he can! At SOWELA, he was challenged to up his organizational game. One instructor also encouraged him to be his best self.
NAME: Kaitlyn
PROGRAM: Business Administration
COMPETITION: Quiz Bowl
BEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Public speaking
Anyone dealing with fear can take a page from Kaitlyn’s book: face it. She did and is now a sought-after public speaker and on track to help her team excel in the QuizBowl. Good decision-making is another skill, one she displayed when she hired a tutor to help her improve her grade in a class that was giving her fits.
NAME: Shandala
PROGRAM: Business Administration
COMPETITION: Quiz Bowl
BEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Successful woman
“R-E-S-P-EC-T.” That could be Shandala’s theme song. She plans to become a businesswoman, sending a message to doubters that women can stand on their own. And conquer accounting, a particular challenge for Shandala. The self-professed hard worker is going for GOLD in the Quiz Bowl after winning Silver at last year’s SkillsUSA.
NAME: Talie
PROGRAM: Barber/ Styling
COMPETITION: Barbering
BEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Cuts and Perms
In Talie’s line, the devil is in the details: blending every line and making sure there are no extra-long pieces. Easy money drew her to Barber / Styling, but she soon realized it was more complicated than she thought and she came to love it.
Talie hopes this love will at least help her place in the Barbering competition.
NAME: Kiera
PROGRAM: Welding A.A.S
COMPETITION: Welding
BEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Becoming a female welder
It may be a man’s world, but that hasn’t stopped Kiera from pursuing a career as a welder. Despite all the sparks that were flying over her chosen profession, she focused on acquiring the necessary skills to succeed in a sector flush with jobs. At SkillsUSA, where Kiera will be BRCC’s vice president, she foresees many job and networking opportunities.