Sidney SkillsUSA students raising funds through yard work in June

Students with the Sidney High School SkillsUSA chapter are offering their assistance to the community next month with yard work as they seek to raise funds for their state conference next year.

"It's the first time we're doing this fundraiser, and we are very excited about it," Chapter President Will Castner said. "Our goal is to do some work for people and raise some money in the process."

SkillsUSA is an organization that offers career and technical students vocational support as well as competitive activities at the district, state and national levels.

"It's a workforce-centered organization," Castner said. "There's almost 100 contests, such as commercial baking, welding, plumbing and electrical wiring."

The chapter is under the guidance of advisors Jay Portnier and Beau McConnell, both teachers at Sidney High School.

"But all teachers pitch in one way or another," Castner said. "Like Mrs. (Kelley) Dible, the FCS teacher, is helping with the culinary arts and commercial baking, those types of contests, and the art teacher (Ben Darling) is helping with photography and some of the other contests.

"It takes a lot of different parts of the school."

Castner, who has been with SkillsUSA since his sophomore year, said the organization has grown significantly in just the short time he has been a member.

"Two years ago, we had 18 people, and last year we had 33," he said. "Our numbers are just skyrocketing every year."

Castner said so far this year, Sidney's SkillsUSA chapter has 52 members.

"But that doesn't include incoming freshmen, so we'll probably have ten more," he said. "I think it's a great thing for our school and our chapter to have this many people in it."

Castner said they will continue with fundraisers they have held in prior years, such as helping the Kiwanis Club and building the stage at the annual Oktoberfest and the school's Car Bash fundraiser in the fall.

"But with so many kids this year, we need to get a few more fundraisers put together," he said.

While they are advertising yard work in the fundraiser, Castner said they are open to any type of work.

"Anything," he said. "If people need help with inside chores or pretty much any handiwork, we can do it. So yard work, mowing, raking, spring cleanup or if you need help cleaning out the garage, we can help with that."

The students plan to work on two Sundays afternoons in June, on the 5th and 12th, in exchange for a donation for their services.

"We have a suggested donation of minimum wage," Castner said. "However, it is a freewill donation."

Castner said the chapter has a few members who are unable to work on the planned days, so if somebody is looking for another day they might be able to accommodate them.

"We can arrange something, because we have tons of kids and can be flexible," he said.

The SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference (SLC) will take place in Grand Island in April 2017. The conference lasts three days, Castner said.

To reserve the services of Sidney's SkillsUSA students for yard work this June, call Jay Portenier at (308) 249-4287 or Will Castner at (308) 249-6716.