Award acknowledges leadership in support of career and technical education
Leesburg, Va. – October 17, 2025 – Owen Reel of Petersburg, WV earned the SkillsUSA National Statesman Award during the organization’s Washington Leadership Training Institute held Sept. 20-24 in Washington D.C.
SkillsUSA, the #1 workforce development organization for students, awards its National Statesman Award to members who demonstrate strong SkillsUSA knowledge, civic awareness and the ability to articulate their career and technical education (CTE) experiences.
“The statesman award affirms a student’s commitment to responsible leadership and civic awareness,” said Chelle Travis, Executive Director of SkillsUSA. “It confirms their understanding of SkillsUSA’s mission to empower students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members. A foundational component of their leadership development, the award represents the student’s desire to create brighter future, not just for themself, but for our nation.”
To be eligible for the award, students complete coursework and certifications prior to attending the training institute in Washington D.C. While in-person, they engage in a variety of sessions, trainings and panels before culminating with a personal interview where students describe their CTE program and how it has prepared them for the future, define the skills gap and how SkillsUSA helps address it, and discuss their personal career goals.
Preparing for advocacy visits is a core part of the Statesman Award, ensuring all members effectively represent SkillsUSA and CTE at the local, state, and national levels. Many students meet with elected officials, policymakers and legislative aids during their time in Washington D.C.
More than 400 SkillsUSA members representing nearly 30 states earned the award this year. SkillsUSA hosts its Washington Leadership Training Institute annually in September.
