Photo courtesy of South Arkansas College.
With the holiday season in full swing, the SkillsUSA chapter at South Arkansas College in El Dorado, Ark. found a heartfelt way to give back to their community while developing valuable professional skills. On Nov. 15, 2024 during their monthly meeting, 55 dedicated students came together to create nearly 100 personalized Christmas cards for residents at the local Hudson Memorial Nursing Home. This project marked the third consecutive year of spreading holiday cheer to the nursing home, solidifying it as a cherished tradition for the chapter.
Guided by their advisors, Amanda Rhodes and Katheryn Bourne, the students transformed the college meeting room into a workshop of creativity and collaboration. Divided into small groups, they brainstormed ideas, designed festive cards and crafted warm messages of encouragement. The cards were adorned with stickers and hand-drawn holiday scenes, reflecting both the students’ artistic talents and their festive spirit.
For advisors Rhodes and Bourne, the project offered more than just holiday giving — it was an opportunity to teach essential life skills. “Our goal was to teach professionalism, teamwork and service in a meaningful and fun way,” says Katheryn Bourne. “Our students learned how to work together effectively, plan their time and create a product that brings joy to others. It’s the kind of experience they’ll hopefully carry into their careers.”
This hands-on initiative blended the SkillsUSA chapter’s diverse talents, as members came from various career areas including health science, welding, criminal justice and automotive studies. The project emphasized communication, attention to detail and collaboration — skills crucial to their future professions.
Feeling the Love
For many of the students, the experience was deeply rewarding. Kailee Johnson, vice president of the SkillsUSA chapter and a second-year participant, shared her reflection on the day: “I enjoyed making the cards because it brings joy to me to make others smile.” First-year member Jacob Neel added, “I like doing this because it will make people feel cared for around the holidays.”
The nursing home residents were not the only ones touched by this gesture. The students themselves felt the impact of their efforts, finding happiness in the knowledge that their effort could truly brighten someone’s day. They embraced the holiday spirit, knowing that something as simple as a personalized card can bring warmth and connection to someone who needs it the most as some nursing home residents don’t have nearby family or frequent visitors.
The community service project also reinforced the mission of SkillsUSA: preparing students for the workforce by building leadership and service skills. As advisor Amanda Rhodes remarked, “This is what SkillsUSA is about — equipping our students to serve others while developing themselves.”
As the cards were delivered to Hudson Memorial Nursing Home, the smiles they brought were a testament to the students’ hard work and dedication. For the SkillsUSA members at South Arkansas College, the 2024 holiday season became a reminder that professionalism and kindness often go hand in hand — and that sometimes, making a difference is as simple as creating a card filled with love and hope.
