Senior Brock Davis has spent the past year serving as High School Treasurer and as national officer for SkillsUSA, a nationwide organization that exposes students to developing skills in the professional world. SkillsUSA uses goals such as initiative and technical skills to create career-ready leaders and responsible community members. Davis served as a state officer in his freshman, sophomore, and junior years before advancing to national officer in his senior year. During his junior year, he was one of two Papio South students to serve as state officers, making up the majority of that year’s state leadership team. Davis said his experiences with SkillsUSA not only provided him with technical expertise, but also transformed him into a more confident, outgoing individual.
1. Who is your biggest inspiration and why? “Honestly my parents, because no matter what I’ve done, or within SkillsUSA, they’ve always been super supportive and have always helped me on that path.”
2. What are some interests of yours that people may not know about? “When I’m not in school or working, I love to work on cars with my friends. I’m also really into fishing and grilling – not something many people know about me, but it’s how I like to spend my free time.”
3. When did you join SkillsUSA, and why do you find it interesting? “I joined SkillsUSA in my freshman year. What drew me to it was the fact that it’s not just a typical club – it’s all about competitions where you get to showcase your skills. Rather than just talking about what you know, you actually get to put your abilities to the test. It’s a chance to stand out and develop skills that will really help me in the future.”
4. How has SkillsUSA impacted your high school experience, and how do you see it affecting your future? “SkillsUSA has been a game-changer for me. It helped me get over my fear of public speaking, and now I’m way more confident. I’m even going to Washington, D.C., to speak to 17,000 people at a big event where I’ll be advocating to senators. I never imagined myself in that position before, but now I’m considering a career that involves public speaking because of it.”
5. What makes you stand out from others in the halls? “Probably my experiences with SkillsUSA. Not many people can say they’re going to Washington, D.C., to speak to senators. Also, I’ve already gained a lot of real-world skills that’ll help me in future jobs or college, which I think sets me apart from the rest because I already have more experience than a lot of other people.”
