Local Students Represent Community at State Capitol During Legislative Session

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - Several local student leaders from Watertown, Milbank, and Florence traveled to the State Capitol on Feb. 3-4 as part of the Capital City Experience. These students, serving as State Officers for various Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs), engaged directly with the legislative process to advocate for career and technical education (CTE).

The two-day interactive event, hosted by the South Dakota Department of Education and the South Dakota CTSO Center, gave students a firsthand look at how state government affects their future career paths.

Local Leaders in Action

Among the select group of state officers who participated in the event were several standouts from our immediate area:

·        From Watertown: Kaia Van Der Merwe represented HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America).

·        From Milbank: Rylan Wendland represented FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America).

·        From Florence: Dawson Hlavacek and Emma Caulfield both represented FBLA.

These students joined peers from across the state to observe committee meetings, host government officials, and discuss current legislative items with state lawmakers.

Bridging the Gap Between Classroom and Capitol

The experience is designed to give student leaders an authentic view of the legislative Session. By engaging with lawmakers, students explore the role and impact of policy in their respective fields, including agriculture, health care, business, and education.

“Each CTSO focuses on a career path, and our CTSO student leaders are provided a unique opportunity to see the current items being addressed within their career of interest,” said Amy Miller, Director of Career and Technical Education.

CTSOs are integrated into school curricula to provide professional development, leadership training, and industry-specific skills. For many students, these organizations are a defining part of their educational journey. Brooklyn Kast, South Dakota FCCLA State President, noted that such organizations offer “more opportunities than I could have imagined.”

The following state officers attended the event: 

Educators Rising

·        Brinlee Smith, Viborg-Hurley;

·        Delaney Thorson, Elk Point-Jefferson;

·        Hilary Polreis, Parkston; and

·        Jaxon Johanneson, Tea Area. 

FBLA

·        Amelia Konrad, Mitchell;

·        Danika Fluth, Tri-Valley;

·        Dawson Hlavacek, Florence;

·        Emma Caulfield, Florence;

·        Murphy Lewis, Northwestern;

·        Rylan Wendland, Milbank; and

·        Wyatt Rahm, Northwestern. 

FCCLA

·        Amelia Sjurseth, Redfield;

·        Brooklyn Kast, Faulkton;

·        Delilah Rasmussen, Kimball;

·        Dillyn Loban, Sioux Valley;

·        Izzy Carlson, Harrisburg; and

·        Mati Jaquet, Sioux Valley. 

FFA

·        Elena Andrews, Beresford;

·        Ireland McAreavey, Tri-Valley;

·        Josie Nold, Brookings;

·        Kate Meyer, Sisseton;

·        Skyler Plucker, Lennox-Sandstrom; and

·        Tyler Strausser, Lennox-Sandstrom. 

HOSA

·        Addie Wubbena, Dakota Valley;

·        Emma Andrews, Beresford;

·        Kaia Van Der Merwe, Watertown;

·        Lauren Bortnem, Brookings;

·        Maddie Von Wald, Harrisburg; and

·        Tyra Li, Dakota Valley. 

SkillsUSA

·        Ashlen Boneshirt, St. Francis Indian;

·        Kade Korleski, Tea;

·        Landry Coy, Tea;

·        Tamaske Spotted Tail, St. Francis Indian;

·        Tucker Winger, Tea; and

·        WiWanbliwin Little Thunder, St. Francis Indian.

About CTE and CTSOs

Career and Technical Student Organizations include FFA, FBLA, FCCLA, HOSA, SkillsUSA, and Educators Rising. These programs emphasize hands-on, work-based learning to prepare students for the workforce.

For more information on local CTE programs and statewide CTSO initiatives, visit doe.sd.gov/cte/.