SkillsUSA

Simao also attended the 2023 SkillsUSA national conference in Atlanta where he participated in leadership training and served as a delegate. “Going to WLTI, competing in the Job Interview contest and becoming a state officer gave me excellent experience and exposure to a different world,” he says. I’m naturally not very outspoken and I kind of keep to myself, but these experiences helped with my professional development and confidence. I’m grateful to Mr. Read for encouraging me because I learned how to act like a professional.”

With a West Point admissions rate of just 12%, applicants must be on the top of their game to gain acceptance. They must have outstanding grades, participation in extracurricular activities and a congressional nomination. Simao received all As in his honors classes and was the captain of the soccer team. He was also involved in the American Legion Little Rhody Boys State & Nation Program, a selective educational program of government instruction for U.S. high school students.

Simao received two congressional nominations. “Because of WLTI, I had met my representatives before I needed to request a nomination for the application process for West Point, so I already had my foot in the door. My application had to show that I was well-rounded in different areas of life and involvement with SkillsUSA was a big part of that for me.” 

Reflecting on Simao’s transformation from freshman to senior year, his SkillsUSA advisor Read says, “I saw a change in Aidan that I hadn’t recognized in a student before. I don’t think you could find a more driven, committed, professional, mature student than Aiden and SkillsUSA helped to pave his way. I originally told him to stick with it, telling him that it is what will set you apart . . . and it did.”