Javner was named after Mt. Katahdin, the highest peak in the state of Maine.
“What I gained most from skill and leadership competitions weren’t the awards but the experience of pushing myself to new limits. Competing forces you to fine-tune your skills and apply them under pressure. It teaches you resilience and how to handle stress. These are lessons you can apply in any career.”
SkillsUSA: How did you get involved in SkillsUSA?
Katahdin: I first heard about the organization through my dad, who competed in cabinetmaking years ago. He shared his experiences and sparked my interest. My older sister got involved in SkillsUSA when she attended a tech center. I remember going to her state competition and it was captivating. When I was old enough, I jumped at the opportunity to participate and compete. I thought it would be a great way to push my skills.
My own journey with career and technical education (CTE) began in my sophomore year of high school. I was homeschooled but decided to attend the local tech center. I started with an Information Technology (IT) program because I liked computers and robotics. I also knew that no matter what career path I chose, IT skills would be useful. By my junior year, I doubled up on classes, taking IT for a second year and adding a construction technology course. Over my high school years, I completed seven years’ worth of CTE classes in just four years, taking courses in automotive, graphic design, media production and business management.
I genuinely loved every program I took but cabinetmaking felt the most natural to me. I also enjoyed the hands-on automotive classes, where I earned both student and technician-level ASE certifications for brakes and electrical systems. The diversity of classes helped me grow my technical skills and see how I could merge those skills to start a business.
SkillsUSA: What did you enjoy the most about SkillsUSA?
Katahdin: When I first got involved, I loved the idea of competing, but I didn’t know how much I would fall in love with the leadership side of the organization. My instructors saw potential and encouraged me to run for state office. I was nervous about both public speaking and my academics at the time. Overcoming that nervousness was a huge leap for me, but it paid off in so many ways. I have loved the opportunities to grow.
SkillsUSA: How did you decide to run for office?
Katahdin: I ran for state office with the encouragement of my instructors and advisors who saw potential in me. I wasn’t always confident, especially when it came to academics, but their belief pushed me to step up and try. My faith and my family also played huge roles. My state officer experience in 2020-21 began during the global pandemic so it was mostly virtual, but I still attended impactful events like the Washington Leadership Training Institute (WLTI) where I learned to advocate for SkillsUSA through storytelling. It was amazing to meet other students who shared my passion, especially when I realized that we could influence policymakers.
After serving as a state officer for two years, I ran for national office. My motivation was simple — I wanted more. At that point I had a hunger for more engagement, more leadership and more opportunities to serve and grow. Running for national office was a long and rigorous process. When I was elected as a national officer for 2022-2023, it was one of the most influential experiences of my life. I spoke in front of 15,000 people at the national conference, helped lead WLTI and facilitated leadership sessions. In 2022, I even represented the United States at the WorldSkills Special Edition event in Cleveland, Ohio. The personal growth I have experienced from being a national officer is extraordinary and beyond anything I’d imagined. From leading 400,000 student members across the nation to speaking at large events, it was both challenging and transformative.
SkillsUSA: What did you gain from the competition experiences?
I competed in cabinetmaking in my junior year and won gold at state competition in 2020. Because of the pandemic, that year’s national competition was not held so I couldn’t compete at the national level. In 2021, I competed again at the state competition and won. That year’s national competition was held virtually, and I ended up placing fifth. This was a unique experience with many challenges, but still incredibly rewarding.
I also competed in extemporaneous speaking. I won at the state level and went on to nationals, where I took first place. This experience taught me a lot about the power of speech and being able to think on your feet. I didn’t have a formal speech coach, so my preparations were self-driven. I worked hard to develop my speech structures and practiced constantly. The skills I gained from that competition have served me well when I find myself in situations that require on-the-fly responses. Competing also gave me confidence in sharing my personal story, which I continue to do today.
What I gained most from skill and leadership competitions weren’t the awards but the experience of pushing myself to new limits. Competing forces you to fine-tune your skills and apply them under pressure. It teaches you resilience and how to handle stress. These are lessons you can apply in any career.
SkillsUSA: Who are the mentors who’ve helped you along the way?
Katahdin: Several key people have helped me. First and foremost were my high school instructors at the tech center. My SkillsUSA advisor believed in my potential and met with me regularly to discuss how to grow our SkillsUSA chapter. Harold Casey, the SkillsUSA Maine state director, has also been a constant source of support and encouragement. Additionally, I had a mentor, Jay Desmond, who was the only other national officer from Maine before me. He was a huge help during my campaign. I’m so appreciative of each of them.
SkillsUSA: You are an entrepreneur! Did SkillsUSA have anything to do with that?
I started a property maintenance company in 2022 called The Helpful Neighbors during my senior year of high school. SkillsUSA was instrumental in giving me enough confidence to do this. While I had gained technical skills in areas like cabinetmaking and computers, I also had the soft skills crucial for running a business, like customer service and communication. I learned how to talk to customers and build relationships with clients and to share my story in a way that resonates. My leadership skills help me manage my business effectively, and my public speaking skills helped me grow my customer base. SkillsUSA taught me to balance both the technical and the business sides of my work, which is essential to a successful company.
SkillsUSA: What are your long-term career goals?
Katahdin: My long-term career goals are somewhat fluid because I have more aspirations than I can accomplish in a lifetime! Right now, my focus is on growing my property maintenance company, The Helpful Neighbors. I’m also finishing up the last two years of my bachelor’s degree at the University of Maine in management, marketing and international business. My goal is to build a successful company that provides high-quality service while also creating local jobs for my community.
was a facilitator for the event, mentoring other students.
Family has always been a key motivator for me — both my own family and my potential future family. I want to build a life that provides stability for my future family, and that means creating opportunities that are not tied to a constant need for my own time and labor. I want to be able to spend time with my future kids, teach them the value of hard work, show them the world and be present in their lives. At the same time, I’m excited to continue expanding my skills and explore new opportunities. My recent involvement in SkillsUSA has been in the areas of conference management and facilitation. I volunteered at the 2024 National Leadership & Skills Conference for the national staff. I also volunteered at the 2024 WorldSkills in France, which opened my eyes to international business and event management. These are fields I’d like to explore more. Ultimately, my goal is to merge my entrepreneurial mindset with my love for leadership and international experiences.
SkillsUSA: You lived in Senegal as a child and alternated between Africa and the U.S. How did that shape your perspective?
Katahdin: This experience completely shaped my worldview. Growing up in Senegal, West Africa and seeing firsthand the very limited opportunities available to people there motivated me to take advantage of every opportunity I have. It was like living two very different lives as the environments were so different. In Senegal, opportunities are limited for many people. One thing that stands out to me is how much we take for granted, which I only understood after returning from Senegal. Something as simple as getting an ice cream cone from McDonald’s was a huge deal after living overseas, and it made me appreciate the small things in life. These experiences also made me realize that life is what you make of it. Whether you have limited resources or abundant resources, your life should be about working hard and staying focused on your goals.
SkillsUSA: What principles guide you?
Katahdin: My faith is the foundation of everything I do. I consider myself a servant leader. To me this means using your skills and abilities to help others succeed. It’s about recognizing that accomplishments are not important just for your own success, but because they build credibility and open doors to help and influence others. Growing up in a Christian family and being raised in the Assemblies of God church, my parents’ work in vocational training and medical relief in Senegal was driven by their desire to serve others. That had a huge impact on me. I believe that my skills, talents and passions are gifts that I should use to serve others. I often remind myself that even if I wasn’t blessed with tomorrow, I’d be grateful for everything I’ve experienced and accomplished. My faith has always been a subtle, guiding force behind my values. Whether it is choosing to speak with kindness, being patient during difficult conversation, or treating every individual with respect, I aim to lead by being a good example. These small actions built the trust and credibility I need to be an effective mentor and leader to others.
SkillsUSA: How did learning the SkillsUSA Framework help you?
Katahdin: The Personal skills of the Framework like self-motivation, integrity, and work ethic come most naturally to me. Growing up in a family that valued hard work, these traits were already ingrained in me. However, the Workplace skills and Technical skills were where I had the most growth. Skills like teamwork, communication and leadership were all developed through SkillsUSA experiences, whether at state officer activities, national conferences or when I was facilitating workshops. The Framework gave me the tools to recognize and improve these skills. The Framework has also been instrumental in helping me know how to talk about myself and what I know and can do because it gives me the words to explain my journey.
SkillsUSA: What hobbies or interests do you have outside of SkillsUSA?
Katahdin: I’ve always had a wide range of hobbies and interests. From a young age, I was constantly exploring new things. Whether it was building fast lawnmowers, creating smart coffee tables or experimenting with robotics and chemistry, I’ve always been drawn to hands-on projects that allow me to be creative. At my core, I’m an outdoor enthusiast. I love hiking, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, fishing and anything that gets me outside and immersed in nature. The outdoors provides me with a sense of peace and calmness and reminds me of the beauty of the world. I often find inspiration and clarity when I’m surrounded by the stillness of the wilderness.
SkillsUSA: We heard you often sleep in a hammock. How did that start?
Katahdin: Sleeping outside in a hammock started as an experiment. I stumbled on winter camping videos on YouTube and was fascinated by the idea that your body could generate enough heat to keep you warm while sleeping in freezing temperatures. Since I’ve always loved hammocks and winter is my favorite season, I decided to try it out.
At first, it was just a fun challenge — I wanted to see if I could sleep outside in increasingly colder weather. I started during the fall, using a hammock and blankets. The first few nights were uncomfortable, and I couldn’t believe how loud the outdoors is at night. Between the owls and other critters, it was almost too noisy to sleep. But after about 20 nights, I noticed that my brain began to filter out the noise and everything started to feel quieter and more peaceful. As I continued sleeping outside, I found myself getting into a routine. It was surprisingly enjoyable. At some point, I decided that this personal challenge could be more than just a quirky habit — I wanted to use it as a way to give back to my community. At the time, I was volunteering at an after-school mentoring program, working with kids who came from tough backgrounds. The program provided them with a safe space to be themselves and to learn. I launched a fundraiser to support the program. I pledged to sleep outside for 100 days and we raised over $1,000 for the after-school program.
The idea behind the fundraiser was to step out of my comfort zone and appreciate the things I took for granted — like a warm bed and a roof over my head. I hoped to inspire others to think about how they could disrupt their routines and find gratitude in their everyday lives. After the fundraiser ended, I continued sleeping outside because I had gotten used to it and loved it. It became part of my life, and I’ve now slept outside for over 1,000 nights, including two Maine winters. I’ve had some amazing experiences, like waking up to see the air crystallized with moisture during a sunrise, which creates a stunning, shimmering effect in the sky.
SkillsUSA: Tell us about life in Maine
Katahdin: I live in a small rural town in Maine called Chester, with a population of 500. We’re surrounded by lakes, rivers and pine forests so outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, four-wheeling, and snowmobiling are a big part of life. The local Loon Fest is something we all look forward to each year, and it’s a fun way for the community to come together. Overall, Chester is a quiet, close-knit community where people know each other, and we’re surrounded by the natural beauty of the Maine woods. You can take a snowmobile or four-wheeler right from my driveway and connect to any of the trail systems across the state. In fact, there are more snowmobile and ATV trails in Maine than there are highways, which says a lot about the outdoor culture here.
One unique aspect of Chester is that the town shuts down by 9 p.m. Most businesses other than fast food close early because most people here start their workdays early. Many people working in logging and trucking here. The community is fairly conservative and has a slower pace compared to other parts of the state.
SkillsUSA: Tell us about your family.
Katahdin: I’m the youngest of three. I have an older brother who is 28, and an older sister who is 27. My sister is a registered nurse and is passionate about taking care of children. She has two kids, and my nephews are at a really fun age where they’re discovering the world and getting excited about all kinds of things. It’s been great to be part of their lives and watch them grow. My brother was always fascinated by aviation. As soon as he could read, he was studying airplanes, and now he’s living his dream as a captain for SkyWest, a regional airline that flies for Delta. My mom is a district representative and works as a substitute teacher at the local high school and junior high. My dad is the chief operating officer for a production company in Wisconsin, and he travels back and forth for work. My family’s support and encouragement have been a huge part of my success, and I’m grateful for how they’ve always pushed me to chase my dreams.
SkillsUSA: Any final words to share about your SkillsUSA journey?
Katahdin: As I continue this journey, I realize more and more that leadership — like construction — takes time, patience, dedication and heart. Whether I’m constructing something tangible or helping young leaders build their futures, I carry with me the lessons and inspiration from those who have shown me what true leadership looks like. I’m grateful for the opportunities to grow both my technical skills and my leadership. I look forward to continuing to build my life — using my heart as well as my hands. As long as I continue to live with purpose and help others see their potential, I know I am on the right path. And that understanding — that quiet, fulfilling sense of purpose — is the greatest reward of all.