A dynamic new video podcast series, Members on the Street (MOTS), created by the 2024–2025 SkillsUSA National Officer team, put student voices in the spotlight — and on the map. This engaging project, available on YouTube and Spotify, captured the diverse experiences, talents and stories of SkillsUSA members from across the nation.
As part of their newly launched Community Engagement Committee, the 2024-2025 national officers collaborated with the Office of Marketing and Communications and Chief Impact Officer Dr. Ricardo Romanillos to launch this student-driven storytelling platform. The first three episodes were filmed at the 2024 Washington Leadership Training Institute (WLTI), where officers interviewed fellow members to shine a light on personal journeys, career pathways and the powerful impact of being part of SkillsUSA. Episode 4 was recorded during their February 2025 SkillsUSA Week school visits in Washington, D.C.
The series’ standout Episode 5 captured in the spring featured a bilingual interview with SkillsUSA Puerto Rico state director Victor Nieves and student leaders Danielys Rodríguez and Juan Caraballo. While the questions were asked in English, the entire conversation unfolded naturally in Spanish — with subtitles provided for viewers in both English and Spanish. This thoughtful approach underscored the team’s commitment to inclusivity and cultural authenticity.
“From day one, we wanted to create something that made all members feel seen and valued,” said Jana Kawasmi, the 2024-2025 Region 4 Vice President from Texas. “I’m so glad the conversation and dual-language captioning resonated. It’s been an honor to bring this vision to life alongside such an amazing team.”
Juan Orona, High School Parliamentarian from New Mexico, added, “The Puerto Rico episode reminded me of the power of shared identity and cultural pride. To help create something that reflects not just who I am, but who we are collectively — that’s something I’ll carry with me forever.” With five episodes available, Members on the Street will continue to amplify the stories that make SkillsUSA a true community. Watch the series on YouTube or stream the audio on Spotify.
