06/07/2026
While Atlanta was an incredible experience, we are all happy to be back home in the beautiful Black Hills after an amazing week at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC), June 1–6!
Spearfish High School SkillsUSA was proud to have three students attend this year's conference: Burton Lehtola (JR), Chase Schenk (JR), and Andrew Willhite (SR). Throughout the week, they connected with peers and industry professionals from across the country, took advantage of valuable networking opportunities, and experienced the best that Career and Technical Education has to offer.
A special congratulations to Chase Schenk, who represented South Dakota in the Diesel Equipment Technology competition. Competing against students from across the nation, Chase earned a 35th-place finish in the high school division. What makes this accomplishment especially noteworthy is that Chase prepared independently, without access to a formal diesel technology program. His willingness to take on a national-level competition and represent both South Dakota and Spearfish High School speaks volumes about his dedication, initiative, and work ethic.
When they weren't attending conference events, students had the opportunity to experience some of Atlanta's attractions, including the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, an MLB game between the Braves and Blue Jays, the World of Coca-Cola, and the Atlanta Botanical Garden, making the week both educational and memorable.
Thank you to everyone who supports SkillsUSA and helps provide these opportunities for our students. Experiences like NLSC help students build leadership skills, explore career pathways, and create connections that will benefit them well into the future.