SkillsUSA SkillsUSA Champions Fall 2009 : Page 23
Photos: Lloyd Wolf that don’t seem to struggle with their profession.” Venturini also recently gave SkillsUSA a live, on-air shout-out, appearing with Executive Director Tim Lawrence and driver Jimmie Johnson during a promo-tion for Kobalt’s “Tough Tools for Cool Schools” program. “This is how I got started,” Venturini said to millions of viewers as she pointed to the SkillsUSA logo on Lawrence’s shirt. This is a success story that, according to Venturini, is ready to be rewritten many times over by any SkillsUSA member — as long as you take advantage of the opportunities that are, for now, within your grasp. “Use this time in SkillsUSA as a discov-ery process to reflect on your talents and your goals,” she says, “and be diligent about following through. Make sure you’re passionate about what you’re doing and take responsibility for your actions. “Nothing’s handed to you in life. There are roadblocks, and I’ve had them. But if it was easy, everybody would get there quickly. Don’t make excuses. If the path you’re going down isn’t working for you, find another one.” Or, as Venturini did, make your own. Past member sports SkillsUSA logo on race car N • ationwide viewers of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in Sonoma, Calif., were treated to something they may have not seen before. Popular driver Jamie McMurray’s No. 26 Irwin Ford Fusion featured the SkillsUSA logo. The logo was displayed on the highly visible deck lid of the car as part of Irwin’s ongoing partnership with SkillsUSA. The partnership has added personal meaning for McMurray, who was a member of SkillsUSA (then called “VICA”) during his high-school years. “On behalf of Irwin and Roush Fenway Racing,” McMurray said in a statement before the race, “I’m excited and hon-ored to represent SkillsUSA. It’s a great organization, and by including them on the car, I hope more people will learn about them and their programs.” McMurray also presented a special autographed helmet to SkillsUSA at the 2009 national conference. •
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