Zachary Avery and Rachel Ariano. Photo courtesy of Hannah Castillo.
“When I first started at West-MEC, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. I just knew I had an interest in cars and wanted to learn more about how they worked. What I didn’t realize at the time was how much this program would shape me — not only as a student but as a person. One of the most impactful parts of my experience at West-MEC was being introduced to SkillsUSA.
It gave me the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone, try something new, and discover that I’m capable of more than I realized. Before joining, I didn’t always have a lot of confidence in my abilities. I would sometimes doubt myself or wonder if I could really keep up with others in such a competitive and technical field. But being part of SkillsUSA changed that. It pushed me to grow, to take chances, and to realize that I have strengths and talents I hadn’t seen in myself before.
The competition I participated in was called was Models of Excellence. It was a team of two, which required us to communicate and collaborate constantly, despite our busy and different schedules. We learned how to communicate effectively, listen to each other’s ideas, and find ways to collaborate and make our project come to life. What I love about SkillsUSA is that it teaches you so many professional and technical skills — often without you even realizing how much you’re learning in the moment. You walk away from every meeting, every competition, and every interaction having learned something new about yourself and others.
One of the biggest reasons SkillsUSA holds such a special place in my heart is because it helped me get my first job. I was hired at Peoria Ford as an apprentice in the main shop, working alongside the main technicians — skipping Quick Lane altogether. The technician I worked under actually turned out to be one of [SkillsUSA Advisor] Mr. Mitchell’s former students from when he taught at Peoria High School! I had the privilege of learning from him, especially when it came to transmission work, while continuing to use my communication and teamwork skills to get the job done efficiently. Every day in that shop reminded me of the lessons I learned in SkillsUSA: teamwork, persistence, and pride in your work.
SkillsUSA wouldn’t have been possible for me without the support I had. I want to thank Mr. Mitchell for being an amazing teacher and mentor, always pushing me to do my best and reminding me that every challenge is a learning opportunity, I’m also deeply grateful for my family and my boyfriend, who were always there cheering me on, especially when things got tough. But the person I owe the biggest thanks to is my friend Genesis. If it wasn’t for her going around asking our classmates if they wanted to join a competition I would never have done it.
Having the support of my friends and family was so important, but I also had to believe in myself and keep going. There were moments when I wanted to quit, when I doubted whether I could handle the pressure or balance everything going on. But, in the end, it’s up to you not to give up and to persevere. SkillsUSA isn’t just about winning or losing. It’s about learning from your mistakes, finding ways to grow, and taking that next step toward your future.”
