Student Organizations

Skills USA

In South Carolina, Skills USA coordinates state competitions that support the curriculum of Engineering and Industrial Technology. Over 40 events allow students to demonstrate skills and competencies in such areas as welding auto mechanics, cosmetology, and computer-assisted drafting. The South Carolina association enjoys the support of business partners that host state and local competitions by supplying necessary materials and scholarships.

Membership in Skills USA is open to students in the following career clusters: Architecture & Construction; Arts, A/V Technology & Communication; Business Management & Administration; Hospitality & Tourism; Human Services; Information Technology; Law, Public Safety & Security; Manufacturing; Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics; and Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

FFA

"It's definitely not your father's FFA" is a recurring theme for the largest Career and Technology student organization in South Carolina. Over 4500 students take advantage of contests that test skills ranging from Equine Science to Floriculture. Students can seek leadership positions in the FFA well into their postsecondary years and often do so at Clemson University, home of SC FFA. Competitions are held yearly statewide with the culminating event the summer conference in June.

Membership in FFA is open to students enrolled in any course in the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources cluster. Our sponsors for this club are Mrs. Genie Phillips and Ms. Elise Griffin.

National Technical Honor Society

Prior to 1984, little was being done to lift up outstanding career and technical students, and this, often as not, was too little and too late. In spite of all the rhetoric about the poor, negative image associated with career and technical education and the critical need for student recognition, no national initiative existed.

While our vision was small, my colleague, Jon H. Poteat and I were motivated out of concern for our outstanding students at H.B. Swofford Career Center, Spartanburg County, South Carolina. We wanted to lift them up, and proclaim their success to the people of our community. Our hope was that other educators would see the need for a national honor society for career and technical students.

In a short time, a group of educators and business people who shared our vision joined with us, lending their names and influence to launch the National Vocational - Technical Honor Society.

Over the years, educators have seen NTHS at work, lifting up students, advancing excellence in career and technical education, and raising the bar for student achievement. They have witnessed the Society build a strong, positive image in their local community and have seen the difference NTHS has made for their students and programs.

Today, the Society serves thousands of member schools and honors more individuals for their achievement and leadership every year.

In 2003, the National Board of Directors unanimously agreed to change the name of the organization from the National Vocational-Technical Honor Society to the National Technical Honor Society.

NTHS continues to carry out its mission to lift up and publicly recognize men and women committed to excellence, values, courage, and achievement.

R.D. Anderson students are invited to join the RD Anderson NTHS each semester during the school year.