Student Life
There are 8 career and technical student organizations that students can choose to be involved in. Click on the panels on the left to read about each organization and the background and upcoming events.
CTE Student Organizations
BPA
Business Professionals of America is the leading CTSO (Career and Technical Student Organization) for students pursuing careers in business management, office administration, information technology and other related career fields.
BPA has 43,000 members in over 2,300 chapters in 23 states. BPA is a co-curricular organization that supports business and information technology educators by offering co-curricular exercises based on national standards.
The Workplace Skills Assessment Program (WSAP) prepares students to succeed and assesses real-world business skills and problem solving abilities in finance, management, IT and computer applications. It is BPA's showcase program and facilitates students demonstrating their career skills at regional, state and national conferences in 72 competitive events.
MISSION & VISION STATEMENT
The mission of Business Professionals of America is to contribute to the preparation of a world-class workforce through the advancement of leadership, citizenship, academic, and technological skills.
The vision statement of Business Professionals of America is as follows:
At Business Professionals of America, we are committed to developing the best possible career and technical education organization for students in the United States. The measure of our success will be the perception that alumni of Business Professionals of America are highly competent and skilled workforce professionals who enable business and industry to maintain the economic vitality and high quality of life associated with our celebrated United States of America.
SPONSOR INFORMATION
Jessica Crabtree
BPA Sponsor
(316) 284-6280, ext. 2135
DECA
With over a 60 year history, DECA has impacted the lives of more than ten million students, educators, school administrators and business professionals since it was founded in 1946. Their strong connection with our organization has resonated into a brand that people identify as a remarkable experience in the preparation of emerging leaders and entrepreneurs. DECA’s programs and activities have constantly evolved as we use the latest technology and apply cutting edge educational research. Our core focus has remained consistent and is captured in our mission.
MISSION & GUIDING PRINCIPLES
DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. Our guiding principles explain how we fulfill our mission by addressing what we do and the outcomes we expect.
DECA enhances the preparation for college and careers by providing co-curricular programs that integrate into classroom instruction, applying learning in the context of business, connecting to business and the community and promoting competition. Our student members leverage their DECA experience to become academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible, experienced leaders.
SPONSOR INFORMATION
Collin Salmans
DECA Sponsor
(316) 284-6280, ext. 2137
collin.salmans@usd373.org
FCCLA
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America is a nonprofit national career and technical student organization for young men and women in Family and Consumer Sciences education in public and private school through grade 12. Everyone is part of a family, and FCCLA is the only national Career and Technical Student Organization with the family as its central focus. Since 1945, FCCLA members have been making a difference in their families, careers, and communities by addressing important personal, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education.
Today 200,000 members in more than 5,500 chapters are active in a network of associations in 50 states, including the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Chapter projects focus on a variety of youth concerns, including teen pregnancy, parenting, family relationships, substance abuse, peer pressure, environment, nutrition and fitness, teen violence, and career exploration. Involvement in FCCLA offers members the opportunity to expand their leadership potential and develop skills for life -- planning, goal setting, problem solving, decision making, and interpersonal communication -- necessary in the home and workplace.
MISSION & MOTTO
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.
Motto: Up and Away with FCCLA
SPONSOR INFORMATION
Molly Schauf
FCCLA Sponsor
(316) 284-6280, ext. 2131
Kim Powell
FCCLA Sponsor
(316) 284-6280, ext. 2132
FFA
"Future Farmers of America" was founded by a group of young farmers back in 1928. Their mission was to prepare future generations for the challenges of feeding a growing population. They taught us that agriculture is more than planting and harvesting-- it's a science, it's a business and it's an art.
FFA continues to help the next generation rise up to meet those challenges by helping its members to develop their own unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range of career pathways.
MISSION STATEMENT
FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
SPONSOR INFORMATION
Lacie Fair
FFA Sponsor
(316) 284-6280, ext. 2841
lacie.fair@usd373.org
Katie Honeyman
FFA Sponsor
(316) 284-6280, ext. 2842
katharine.honeyman@usd373.org
HOSA
HOSA is a national student organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Education (HSE) Division of ACTE. HOSA's two-fold mission is to promote career opportunities in the health care industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. HOSA's goal is to encourage all health science instructors and students to join and be actively involved in the HSE-HOSA Partnership.
HOSA provides a unique program of leadership development, motivation, and recognition exclusively for secondary, postsecondary, adult, and collegiate students enrolled in health science education and biomedical science programs or have interests in pursuing careers in health professions. HOSA is 100% health care!
PURPOSE & MISSION
The purpose of the HOSA organization is to develop leadership and technical HOSA skill competencies through a program of motivation, awareness and recognition, which is an integral part of the Health Science Education instructional program.
Mission
The mission of HOSA is to enhance the delivery of compassionate, quality health care by providing opportunities for knowledge, skill and leadership development of all health science education students, therefore, helping the student meet the needs of the health care community.
PENNIES FOR PATIENTS FUNDRAISER
The Newton High School HOSA Club (Health Occupations Students of America) club hosts an annual Pennies for Patients campaign to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The event is a competition between Seminar class with the winning class receiving ice cream sundaes for prizes.
SPONSOR INFORMATION
Richard Mick
HOSA Sponsor
(316) 284-6280, ext. 2715
Fred Schmidt
HOSA Sponsory
(316) 284-6280, ext. 2647
frederick.schmidt@usd373.org
Robotics
FIRST was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology. Based in Manchester, NH, the 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit public charity designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.
Check out the NHS Team 935 website!
MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.
SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA’s mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. SkillsUSA serves more than 300,000 students and instructors annually. The organization has 13,000 school chapters in 54 state and territorial associations.
More than 14,500 instructors and administrators are professional members of SkillsUSA.
MISSION STATEMENT
SkillsUSA’s mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens.
SkillsUSA is an applied method of instruction for preparing America’s high-performance workers in public career and technical programs. It provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development. It builds and reinforces self-confidence, work attitudes and communications skills. It emphasizes total quality at work — high ethical standards, superior work skills, lifelong education, and pride in the dignity of work. SkillsUSA also promotes understanding of the free-enterprise system and involvement in community service.
SPONSOR INFORMATION
Brian Rickard
Engineering Instructor
SkillsUSA Sponsor
(316) 284-6280, ext. 2902
Mike McConnell
Welding Technology Instructor
SkillsUSA Sponsor
(316) 284-6280, ext. 2912
Clayton Baughman
Machine Technology Instructor
SkillsUSA Sponsor
(316) 284-6280, ext.2901
clayton.baughman@usd373.org