Category: Program Award Winners
SkillsUSA Idaho earns Gold level recognition through the State Standards of Excellence Program for two consecutive years


For the second year in a row, the SkillsUSA Idaho association achieved the Gold level of SkillsUSA’s State Standards of Excellence Program.
SkillsUSA is a career technical student organization (CTSO) dedicated to improving the quality of America’s future skilled workforce through developing personal, workplace, and technical skills grounded in academics. Students participate in activities and competitive events designed to prepare them for leadership in the world of work. Membership is organized into chapters at participating high schools and postsecondary institutions; these chapters are overseen by the state association, which the State Standards of Excellence program is designed to recognize.
Now in its fifth year, the program is designed to ensure state associations have in place policies, procedures and structures that deliver a high level of service to members. This non-competitive program serves as a system to allow states to benchmark their performance and determine improvements to become the very best organization for their members.
“Achieving Gold level for two years in a row is a sign that SkillsUSA Idaho is determined not just to get back to ‘normal,’ but set an example for our members that we will emerge from the pandemic as leaders on a national level,” said SkillsUSA Idaho State Director Chet Andes.
Andrew Armstrong, CTSO manager for SkillsUSA Idaho, echoes Andes’ sentiment.
“Winning this award for two years gives me great pride in the direction of SkillsUSA Idaho. This award shows that we are committed to our membership and are fully committed and prepared to serve our chapters,” said Armstrong. “I hope this opportunity challenges our members to build strong chapters that are as excited as we are to show how amazing our Idaho members are at the national level.”
Nationally, 38 states participate in SkillsUSA. The following state associations were recognized for achieving the Bronze level of establishing a baseline for a healthy association: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota and South Dakota.
The following states moved to the next level by being recognized for achieving Silver, ensuring the sustainability of healthy association: Alabama High School, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana College/Postsecondary, New York High School, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming.
The following states reached the pinnacle of achievement by completing the Gold level requirements, ensuring the continued growth of the association: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia College/Postsecondary, Georgia High School, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas College/Postsecondary, Texas High School, Virginia and Washington High School.
For more information about SkillsUSA, visit skillsusaidaho.com or skillsusa.org.
2018 Program Award Winners

Idaho Career & Technical Education Program Awards are designed to showcase the best-of-the-best in Idaho’s high school and technical college CTE programs. Program awards winners are listed here.
Program of Promise: Health Science Programs at Meridian Medical Arts Charter High School – Meridian, Idaho Exemplary Program: Welding Program at the College of Southern Idaho – Twin Falls, Idaho Program of Promise: Hospitality Management Program at Lewis-Clark State College – Lewiston, Idaho
- Fire academy training proves vital in real-world emergency responseNew Meadows, Idaho — On March 24, Fire Service Training… Read more: Fire academy training proves vital in real-world emergency response
- CWI’s Mindy Young leads students to success in network and system administrationMindy Young, a dedicated educator at College of Western Idaho… Read more: CWI’s Mindy Young leads students to success in network and system administration
- Health professions programs bridge community and careerGardner used her experience and connections as an EMT to… Read more: Health professions programs bridge community and career
- SkillStack® sees 34% increase in badges issuedThe SkillStack® program uses the Open Badges standard, the world’s… Read more: SkillStack® sees 34% increase in badges issued
- SkillStack® enhances law enforcement education at Idaho State UniversityHistorically, the Idaho State University (ISU) Law Enforcement Program attracted… Read more: SkillStack® enhances law enforcement education at Idaho State University
2017 Program Award Winners

Idaho Career & Technical Education Program Awards are designed to showcase the best-of-the-best in Idaho’s high school and technical college CTE programs. Program awards winners are listed here.
2017 Exemplary Postsecondary Program: Medical Assistant at College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls, Idaho 2017 Exemplary Secondary Program: Culinary Arts at West Ada CTE Center – Renaissance Campus, Meridian, Idaho
2017 Exemplary Secondary Program
Culinary Arts at West Ada CTE Center – Renaissance Campus, Meridian, Idaho
Pictured from left to right:
Dr. Angie Neal, CTE Coordinator; Amy Brown, Culinary Instructor Rocky Mountain High School (2016-17); Valerie Stringham, Culinary Instructor Centennial High School; Dr. Mary Ann Ranells, Superintendent, West Ada School District; Chef Vern Hickman, Culinary Instructor, Ada Career Technical Center; Chef Brooke Scoville, Culinary Instructor, Ada Career Technical Center; Chef Christine Bonocore, Front-of-the-House Instructor Ada Career Technical Center; Staci Low, Director Career Technical Education, West Ada School District; Dr. Shana Hawkins, Principal Renaissance High School; Mike Hirano, Principal, Rocky Mountain High School
2017 Exemplary Postsecondary Program
Medical Assistant at College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls, Idaho
Pictured from left to right:
Jayson Lloyd, College of Southern Idaho Instructional Dean Health Science and Human Service; Dr. RoseAnna Holliday, College of Southern Idaho Department Chair Health Science and Human Service; Kara Mahannah Associate Professor College of Southern Idaho Medical Assisting Program Manager; Terry Patterson College of Southern Idaho Instructional Dean & Academic Affairs
- Fire academy training proves vital in real-world emergency responseNew Meadows, Idaho — On March 24, Fire Service Training… Read more: Fire academy training proves vital in real-world emergency response
- CWI’s Mindy Young leads students to success in network and system administrationMindy Young, a dedicated educator at College of Western Idaho… Read more: CWI’s Mindy Young leads students to success in network and system administration
- Health professions programs bridge community and careerGardner used her experience and connections as an EMT to… Read more: Health professions programs bridge community and career
- SkillStack® sees 34% increase in badges issuedThe SkillStack® program uses the Open Badges standard, the world’s… Read more: SkillStack® sees 34% increase in badges issued
- SkillStack® enhances law enforcement education at Idaho State UniversityHistorically, the Idaho State University (ISU) Law Enforcement Program attracted… Read more: SkillStack® enhances law enforcement education at Idaho State University
2016 Program Award Winners

Idaho Career & Technical Education Program Awards are designed to showcase the best-of-the-best in Idaho’s high school and technical college CTE programs. Program awards winners are listed here.
2016 Exemplary Secondary Program:
Pre-Engineering at Payette River Regional Technical Academy, Emmett, Idaho2016 Exemplary Postsecondary Program: Dental Hygiene at College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls, Idaho
2016 Exemplary Secondary Program
Pre-Engineering at Payette River Regional Technical Academy, Emmett, Idaho
Pictured from left to right:
Mayor of Emmett, Gordon Petrie; Robert Salisbury, Instructor; Dr. William Knickrehm, Administrator
2016 Exemplary Postsecondary Program
Dental Hygiene at College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls, Idaho
Pictured from left to right:
Terry Patterson, Dean of Instruction & Academic Affairs; Andie Dayley, Dental Clinic Manager; Jayson Lloyd, Dean of Health Science and Human Services; Cindy Harding, Director of Dental Hygiene; Matt Grayson, Dental Hygienist
- Fire academy training proves vital in real-world emergency responseNew Meadows, Idaho — On March 24, Fire Service Training… Read more: Fire academy training proves vital in real-world emergency response
- CWI’s Mindy Young leads students to success in network and system administrationMindy Young, a dedicated educator at College of Western Idaho… Read more: CWI’s Mindy Young leads students to success in network and system administration
- Health professions programs bridge community and careerGardner used her experience and connections as an EMT to… Read more: Health professions programs bridge community and career
- SkillStack® sees 34% increase in badges issuedThe SkillStack® program uses the Open Badges standard, the world’s… Read more: SkillStack® sees 34% increase in badges issued
- SkillStack® enhances law enforcement education at Idaho State UniversityHistorically, the Idaho State University (ISU) Law Enforcement Program attracted… Read more: SkillStack® enhances law enforcement education at Idaho State University