under pressure, and build confidence — skills that go beyond the classroom. Her chapter participated in community fundraisers, turkey drives with local police, and training partnerships with agencies like the FBI. “It’s about finding purpose and belonging,” Castillo explains. “I’ve made connections and gained experiences that I never thought were possible.” As a national officer, she now helps lead initiatives on advocacy, marketing, and alumni engagement. Her team produces bilingual podcasts, develops financial management resources for local chapters, and expands outreach to Gen Z audiences. “Our goal is to make SkillsUSA accessible, relatable, and inclusive,” she says.“We’re excited about growing membership to one million by 2030 — and we’re already building the foundation to make that happen.” 231 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 11 SKILLSUSA VOLUME 4, ISSUE 01
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx