New CTSO student leadership opportunity available

The DOE-funded SD CTSO Center held SPARK leadership events during the month of September in Mobridge and Huron. Intentionally held in locales considered “off the beaten path,” more than 180 students were able to participate in workshops to grow their leadership skills and learn about how Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) can help them reach those goals.

State officers from Educators Rising, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), the Future Farmers of America (FFA), and other organizations were present at the events. The events featured local industry leaders, who talked with the students about the importance of leadership, communication, conflict resolution, and resilience in the workplace.

The SD CTSO Center is contracted through DOE’s Office of Career and Technical Education to provide support to FFA, FCCLA, Educators Rising, HOSA, FBLA, and SkillsUSA and is made possible through ARP ESSER and Perkins Leadership funds. This was a first-of-its kind event that combined a leadership component across all the student organizations.