TJ’s Skills USA members come together to raise money for the MDA.
The Skills USA members are all smiles after being announced the winners for raising the most money to donate to the MDA. Photo courtesy of Jerry Esparza
On Saturday February 12th, 11 Spartan Skills USA club members rallied to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). The team walked one mile around the Colorado Mills Mall, taking part in the Muscle Walk to raise funds for research through the MDA. The group was announced as the winning team, who raised the largest amount of money, approximately $500.
The annual muscle walk is an effort to kick off the year and to spread the awareness that research is being conducted for Muscular Dystrophy. The one mile walk is symbolic and draws in families to get involved. “I was proud to see the students’ willingness to give up their time on a Saturday morning, to help others,” said Skills USA Advisor Jerry Esparza. In the end, the team contributed to the joint effort, helping to raise $43,000 for the MDA.
This was the fifth annual Muscle Walk working towards raising funds for neuromuscular disease research, which studies diseases impairing the functions of the muscles. “We all went to have a great time. I really enjoy doing things like this because it is a way to help out a great cause,” said Sahel Negash, who is a Sophomore at TJ.
TJ students Cody Anderson, Alysse Grywusiewicz, Shauntay Larson, Talan Lousignont, Forest Lyons, Chuck May, Sahel Negash, Melissa Serrano, James Vogenthaler, Emaan Wilson-Parson, and Chimi Youdon, all participated in the walk and teamed up to raise as much money as they could to put towards the cause. “We were all pleasantly surprised to be announced as the winning team. We did not have as many walkers as most teams, so it was unexpected,” said Negash.
All students involved are members of TJ’s Skills USA club, a pathway in the Career and Technology Student Organization (CTSO), which (like DECA) prepares students for post secondary fields. Skills USA focuses mainly on technical skill building and training the students for fields in 3D Animation and Web Design. The organization promotes leadership and the club works to serve the community. The officers meetings are run by Senior Co Presidents, Nicole Blake and Marelle Davey, Senior Vice President Madison Bennett, Junior Secretary Mallory Baker, and Sophomore Treasurer Talan Lousignont. The club holds in-house competitions to prepare members for the annual state competition held in Lakewood at Red Rocks Community College and Warren Tech.
“It was amazing to see these students go the distance to help raise such a great amount of money,” said Esparza.
