We don't have a ski club or a soccer team, but we do have fun, travel to exciting places and win gold medals! We've got Vocational Student Organizations. Never heard of them? Keep reading.

Students at Berks Career and Technology Center have a wonderful opportunity to expand their learning while having fun and making new friends. Participation in vocational student organizations fosters leadership development, community service and cooperative interaction among students and faculty. In addition, students may participate in state and national competitions and become a part of a long-standing winning tradition at BCTC.

Students may choose to become active in Skills USA/Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA), Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) or Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA). The objective of these organizations is to offer a challenging program that builds leadership, citizenship and pride in vocational education. Each organization is composed of student officers and members who work toward the betterment of individuals, the school and the community.

Skills USA/VICA, the largest of the three organizations, has 300,000 members nationwide. It emphasizes respect for the dignity of work, high standards and trade ethics, workmanship, scholarship, safety, and partnership with business. It also serves as BCTC's student government, since all students are eligible to participate in Skills USA/VICA.

The organization is co-curricular, so students learn and excel through chapter activities that are related to their vocational curriculum. The Skills USA/VICA district, state and national conferences give members opportunities to compete for recognition and achievement awards.

HOSA believes that through education, skills, knowledge and experience, students will develop their potential for becoming contributing members of society and the health care profession. The organization, open to Allied Health students, has 20,000 student members in 427 chapters in 19 states. Activities are dedicated to training, developing skills and serving others. HOSA holds state and national conferences annually.

FCCLA is open to students enrolled in the programs of Child Development and Culinary Arts. This organization places its emphasis on promoting personal growth and leadership development through family and consumer science education, focusing on the multiple roles of family members, wage earners and community leaders. There are FCCLA chapters in all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico. Pennsylvania boasts over 700 members, with chapters in every county. FCCLA's annual state and national conferences offer leadership training and a variety of area-specific competitions.