Students involved in Skills USA left for Washington, D.C. on Sept. 16 to attend the Washington Leadership Training Institute taking place from Sept. 17 to Sept. 21.
Students part of Skills USA left for Washington, D.C. by plane last Friday to attend the Washington Leadership Training Institute and are scheduled to return on Sept. 22.
Skills USA is an organization which provides training programs for students interested in pursuing trade, skilled service and technical careers and is dedicated to ensuring that America has a skilled workforce.
At the training they will be learning how to apply leadership skills to their everyday life, as well as how to efficiently take responsibility for their actions.
Career and technical classes will also be offered. These sessions provide opportunities for internships and aid students in pursuing a career in that specific field.
The main event of the training is the opportunity to interview the 57 congressmen and congresswomen who agreed to participate. Students from Van Nuys High School were assigned 12 individuals to interview, including Congressman Juan Vargas, Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Congressman Raul Ruiz, Congresswoman Norma Torres, Congressman Jim Costa, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Congresswoman Jackie Speier, Congressman Jimmy Gomez, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano and Congresswoman Anna Eshoo.
These interviews are expected to result in informative discussions that could possibly entail political disagreements. The students participating consider themselves prepared for these circumstances.
“I’m assuming it will raise conflict, but as officers, we are to maintain professionalism,” Junior Io Loya-Gaytan said.
On the last day of the trip, before returning, the students and staff plan to rent a car and drive around to sightsee and buy souvenirs to remember this experience by.
