SkillsUSA SkillsUSA Champions Spring 2010 : Page 10
0HOTOa;,LOYD7OLF !PPRECIATING THE DIFFERENCES Garcia sees similarities between the military and SkillsUSA. “You get to meet people from all kinds of places.” The national conference, he adds, is “kind of like the good part of the military life wrapped into a week. You get to meet all these people and get to see their differ-ent attitudes toward things. I think it’s amazing. You get to learn a lot, you get to experience a lot, and it’s just a lot of fun.” How did he get involved in SkillsUSA? “Honestly? I was sitting in criminal justice class one day, and my teacher says, ‘Hey, someone’s going to come and pick you up for something called SkillsUSA.’ I thought that was a bad thing. I thought I scored really low on something,” Garcia chuckles. “Then, I went to the New York fall leadership conference, and I loved it.” He’s since been elected high school president of SkillsUSA New York. When he told his grandmother, she first thought he’d be running the entire state like a governor. “My family understands that this [SkillsUSA] is going to get me ahead. My grandma thinks it’s the most amazing thing that I’m traveling so much,” he adds. Born a U.S. citizen, Garcia says his pride in being an American is different must be able to from his pride for obey and defi-Puerto Rico but nitely be able to no less meaning-command. ful. He frequently “SkillsUSA visits family on the has taught me a island, which helps lot about being a him stay connected leader. I’ve become to his heritage. a better speaker, “Because I have and I have learned experienced what it to motivate people. is like to grow from I’ve learned that a poverty to how I good leader knows am now, which is C]n_e]6 ÏOgehhoQO= d]o p]qcdp ia ] hkpÐ the difference strikingly better, between leading and dictating. and because of my father’s serving in the “And, a good leader knows when it’s Army, I have a respect for the history of time to take control and make a decision,” this nation and how it has become one of Garcia adds. “I’ve learned that everyone the greatest nations on earth,” he adds. requires a little help and support from His older brother serves in the U.S. Air others. I’ve learned that when you are Force and is no longer at home. When a leader, you have got to have trust in their dad is deployed, Garcia serves as an people to do the right thing, and the most interpreter for his mother — who’s picked important thing I’ve learned is that there up a lot of English “but not enough to is always room for improvement.” have a conversation,” he explains — and After many upheavals, it sounds like he’s looks after his younger brother. found something to keep him grounded. Staying on top of many obligations has “I’ve had fun in places I’ve lived in — contributed to his growth as a leader. “I believe that a leader must be emotion-and I’ve lived in a lot of places — but nothing’s ever compared to this. There’s ally able to lead,” he says. “A leader must everything in SkillsUSA.” have character and a purpose. A leader U PROFESSIONAL PILOT PROGRAM AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY AVIONICS TECHNOLOGY QUALITY CONTROL & NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING YOUR FUTURE IN FLIGHT F G GHT » » » » » » » Over 247,000 square feet of training facilities Financial Aid to those who qualify 80 Years in Aviation and over 90,000 graduates Hands-on training on industry current equipment Accredited member: ACCSCT Licensed by: OBPVS FAA approved aviation maintenance and flight programs CALL SPARTAN TODAY! 1-800-331-1204 www.spartan.edu 8820 East Pine Street Tulsa, OK 74115 Licensed by: OBPVS Accredited member: ACCSCT
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