Career Technical Student Organizations

Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) are non-profit education student associations that form a local, state and national network and prepare students for career-related areas. Students are able to participate in competitive events across multiple disciplines and become eligible to attend National and International competitions. Wyoming has five CTSOs including DECA (preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), The National FFA Organization (FFA), and SkillsUSA. CTSOs not only build career and technical skills, they help students with confidence and self-esteem, communication, public speaking, leadership and resume building.

DECA's mission is to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. DECA helps students develop skills and competence for marketing careers, build self-esteem, experience leadership and practice community service. The competitive events in DECA include team decision-making events, individual series events, principles of business administration events, online events, marketing representative events, professional selling events, chapter team events, business operations research events, business management and entrepreneurship events.

The state advisor for DECA is Mary Hopper. Mary is a retired marketing teacher from Natrona County. If you have any questions regarding Wyoming DECA or are interested in starting a new chapter, please contact Mary at mhopper2000@yahoo.com or 307-237-5471.

DECA 2012-2013 Conference Schedule

• Officer Training September 24, 2012 Casper, WY
• MEC Fall Conference October 15-16, 2012 Casper, WY
• Western Regionals November 15-17, 2012 Seattle, WA
• State Conference January 28-29, 2013 Cheyenne, WY
• National Conference April 24-27, 2013 Anaheim, CA

• Wyoming DECA: http://www.wydeca.org/
• National DECA: http://www.deca.org/

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is the largest business career student organization in the world. FBLA students are preparing for business and business related careers through their participation in this student organization. The Wyoming chapter has approximately 800 student members across the state that compete in individual, chapter, and team events including Accounting, Business Communications, Business Law, Business Math, Cyber Security, Help Desk, Digital Scrapbook, Parliamentary Procedure, Website Design, and many more.

The state advisor for Wyoming FBLA is Barbara Frates. In addition to being the state advisor, Barbara is a Business teacher at East High School in Cheyenne, Wyoming. If you have specific questions regarding Wyoming FBLA or are interested in starting a new chapter, please contact Barbara at fratesb@wyfbla.org or 307-631-2132.

• Fall Conference October 2, 2012 Casper, WY
• State Conference March 14-15, 2013 Cheyenne, WY
• NFLC November 9-10, 2012 Denver, CO
• National Conference June 27-30, 2013 Anaheim, CA

• Wyoming FBLA: http://wyfbla.org/
• National FBLA: http://www.fbla-pbl.org/

Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is an in-school student organization with the family as its central focus. The FCCLA mission is to promote personal growth and leadership development through Family and Consumer Sciences education. Focusing on the multiple roles of family member, wage earner and community leader, members develop skills for life through character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge, and career preparation. FCCLA has Star Events (Students Taking Action with Recognition) in which students are recognized for proficiency and achievement in chapter and individual projects, leadership skills, and career preparation.

The state advisor for Wyoming FCCLA is Patty Micheli. Patty was a Family and Consumer Science teacher and has served as the Wyoming FCCLA state advisor since 1998. If you have specific questions regarding Wyoming FCCLA or are interested in starting a new chapter, please contact Patty at pmicheli7@yahoo.com.

FCCLA 2012-2013 Conference Schedule

• Fall Conference October 3, 2012 Casper, WY
• National Cluster Meeting November 9-11, 2012 Reno, NV
• State Conference March 20-22, 2013 Cheyenne, WY
• Officer Training April 15-16, 2013 Casper, WY
• National Conference July 7-11, 2013  Nashville, TN

• Wyoming FCCLA: http://www.wyfccla.org/
• National FCCLA: http://www.fcclainc.org/

"Future Farmers of America is a student organization dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education" (National FFA). The FFA motto is, "Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve". FFA Career Development Events include Prepared Public Speaking, Extemporaneous Speaking, Creed Speaking, Agricultural Issues Forum, Sales and Service, Livestock Evaluation, Farm Business Management, Agricultural Mechanics, Poultry Evaluation, and many more.

The state advisor for Wyoming FFA is Stacy Broda. Stacy was an Agricultural education teacher in Hanna, Wyoming and served as an FFA state officer. She also worked as the executive treasurer for the Wyoming FFA Association before accepting the position as state advisor. If you have specific questions regarding Wyoming FFA or are interested in starting a new chapter, please contact Stacy at sbroda@yahoo.com.

FFA 2012-2013 Conference Schedule

• State FairAugust 13-19, 2012 Douglas, WY
• National Convention October 22-27, 2012 Indianapolis, IN
• Fall Fire November 16-17, 2012 Douglas, WY
• Spring CDE Conference April 8-11, 2013 Cheyenne, WY
• State FFA Leadership Camp June 12-23, 2013 Lander, WY

• Wyoming FFA: http://www.wyomingffa.org/
• National FFA: https://www.ffa.org/

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps each student excel. The SkillsUSA mission is to help its members become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. SkillsUSA has six goal areas under the headings of Reach, Connect, and Lead. Competitive events include 3D Visualization and Animation, Automotive Service Technology, Carpentry, Chapter Display, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Community Service, Firefighting, Job Interview, First Aid/CPR, Health Knowledge Bowl, Related Technical Math, Robo Rescue, Welding, and many more.

The state advisor for Wyoming SkillsUSA is Toni Decklever. Toni is a retired nurse and Health Occupations teacher and is currently the Executive Director for the Wyoming Association for Career and Technical Education (WACTE). If you have specific questions regarding Wyoming SkillsUSA or are interested in starting a new chapter, please contact Toni at skillsusawyoming@gmail.com or 307-426-4007.

• Fall Conference October 4^th, 2012 TBD
• Mid-America October 24^th-28^th, 2012 Columbus, NE
• Championship Conference April 15^th-17th, 2013 Casper
• National Conference June 24^th-28^th, 2013 Kansas City, MO

• Wyoming SkillsUSA: http://www.skillsusawyoming.org/
• National SkillsUSA: http://www.skillsusa.org/