About the Student Officers
Learn more about the officers
Allie Maeder, President
Hey, my name is Allie Maeder. I’m your Nebraska SkillsUSA president for the 2010-2011 school year. I am a senior from Papillion La-Vista South High School and have been involved with SkillsUSA for three years. I have served as Papillion La-Vista South’s chapter reporter, historian and I am currently our chapter’s president. As your State President I am excited to serve and challenge you in meeting your personal and chapter goals this year.
I enjoy playing in the drum line where I have played the bass drum for three years and the snare drum for a year. I am also the head section leader of the drum line. I play on the varsity basketball team as a point guard where I help the captains organize drills and execute them in practice. I also enjoy fishing, camping, four wheeling, and boating.
Kasina Heerten, Vice President
Hello comrades of SkillsUSA Nebraska! I am Kasina Heerten and I will be serving as your 2010-2011 Vice President. I am very excited to have the opportunity to serve our state and I am ready to give 100% to this organization. I am currently a junior at Keya Paha County Schools. This will be my third year in SkillsUSA. In the past years I have competed in Commercial Baking and Chapter Business Procedure. I am president of our Chapter Business Procedure team where we have placed first at the state competition and qualified for Nationals for the last two years.
I am also very active in my school in other extracurricular activities including: volleyball, student council, National Honor Society, Speech, Choir, Band and One-Act. I am also involved in our community youth group where we are turning an old building into a youth center and 4-H, where I have qualified for state in multiple baking competitions, sewing and modeling. In my free time I can be found hunting, riding four-wheelers, baking, shopping or going to the river. The things that bring me the most joy are spending time with my family and having a good time with my friends.
I encourage all the members in SkillsUSA this year to commit to the organization and try their hardest in the competitions and leadership contests. SkillsUSA will make a difference in your life and shape your future!
Sean O'Grady, Secretary
Hey, I’m Sean O'Grady, your SkillsUSA State Secretary for 2010-2011. I am a junior at Papillion La-Vista South High School where I am also our local chapter’s secretary. Other activities and organizations I’m involved in include Navy Junior ROTC and Boy Scouts. This past year I competed at the State Leadership and Skills Competition in Firefighting and Prepared Speech.
My family and friends are a central part of my life - along with my mother and father I have a younger sister. Being part of a military family I’ve had the opportunity to live in places all across this glorious country and have recently returned to the United States after living in Europe for 2 years. I spent my eighth grade and freshman year of high school in Naples, Italy and traveled around Europe many times. I am, however, glad to be back in America after that experience and I am now active in another great experience, Skills USA Nebraska.
I have made many friends through Skills USA and became a State Officer my first year. Becoming a State Officers is a great honor and I want to help increase membership in Skills USA Nebraska so more students can have the wonderful opportunities I have had so far.
Jen Yung Lee, Treasurer
Hi everyone, my name is Jen Yung Lee, and I am serving as your 2010-2011 State Treasurer. I am a senior at Lincoln North Star High School. I am a Chinese from Taiwan and I have been living in the U.S.A. for two years. I enjoy my new life in America and I love the people of Nebraska. This is my first year in SkillsUSA and I really like it. I believe in the value of SkillsUSA and I know how it can make a difference in student’s lives and help them prepare for the future. I decided to become a state officer because of the impact SkillsUSA had on my life and to have the opportunity to further serve this wonderful organization. At the State Leadership Conference I competed in Job Interview and Customer Service.
In high school I am involved in several other extracurricular activities. I am the member of Science Olympiad, Math Club, Asian Caucus, and National Honor Society. In my free time I enjoy reading classic novels and nonfiction books. I started reading since when I was young. I like reading because I enjoy the art of literature and gaining new knowledge when I read. I am very excited to be your State Treasurer this year and I know this is going to be a great year for SkillsUSA Nebraska. If you want to know more about me or you want to know more about SkillsUSA, please don't be hesitate to contact me. My email address is jenyungl@gmail.com.
Preston Oltman, Reporter
Hey everyone, I’m Preston Oltman, I am a senior at Beatrice High School and your current State Reporter for the 2010-2011. I have been in SkillsUSA for two years and I’m currently the President of my local chapter. SkillsUSA was not a big priority in my life until I attended the Mid-America Conference in 2009. Throughout the first day at Mid-America I was miserable, I was so overwhelmed by everything new I was learning. Even so, by the time Saturday rolled around, the last thing I wanted to do was leave. I had developed long lasting relationships with so many people and had such a great experience. Mid-America really kick started my involvement in SkillsUSA and gave me the courage and strength to push myself and become more involved in SkillsUSA Nebraska. After Mid-America is when we elected officers for our local chapter and I was elected to serve as our president. At SLC I competed in Quiz bowl and Architectural Drafting. Next year I’m probably going to compete in team works with three of our club’s new members.
Outside of SkillsUSA I work for a small construction crew, S-Bar-S Rodeos, the Beatrice Movie Theater, and I also help out my dad and uncle on our second generation (soon to be third) farm. I also play varsity golf and tennis and am a member of National Honor Society and Key Club.
Briana Gaston, Parliamentarian
Hey! I’m Briana Gaston and I’m serving as your 2010-2011 Parliamentarian! I’m a senior at Norris High School and I’ve been a part of SkillsUSA since the eighth grade. I am currently our chapter’s president, where we do numerous community service projects, socials and are one big family! This past year I attended Fall Leadership, Mid-America Conference and also competed at the State Leadership and Skills Conference in job interview and Opening and Closing Ceremonies. SkillsUSA is a great way to experience new things, travel, build leadership skills and made life long friends. SkillsUSA has been a great opportunity for me to explore a career field and to build knowledge and skills that will guide me in the future.
Outside of SkillsUSA I am involved in band, cross country, trap, FFA, venturing crew and 4-H. Each of these activities has helped to shape me as a leader for SkillsUSA. I’m very family oriented. We enjoy camping, hunting, fishing and spending a lot of time together. My friends are another import part of my life. Hanging out at the lake, riding four wheelers and dancing are our favorite things to do.
SkillsUSA is for everyone; you just have to find the area that suits you. I challenge you to break away and let SkillsUSA open up doors and opportunities for you and your local chapter this year!
Callie Busboom, Historian 
Hello everyone! My name is Callie Busboom and I am your 2010-2011 State Historian. I am a senior at Beatrice High School and the current Historian in my local chapter. Last year I went to Mid America for the first time and competed in the Chapter note book, receiving first place. Later in the year I went to SLC and competed in advertising design. I had a blast at both of these events.
At school I work hard every day to maintain good grades in my academic classes, and participate in Choir and Orchestra. I am also involved in a variety of clubs like, Key Club, Science Club, Student Council, speech, and sports.
When I am not in school I enjoy spending time with my friends, family, and scrapbooking. My family consists of my mom and step dad, step brother Taylor, and younger siblings Silas, Caryss, and True. My family is one of the most important things in my life, and they help me through almost everything. The most important thing in my life is God; he had been and continues to be there for me through thick and thin. This was especially true when my dad and I were in a big car accident; I broke my femur and my dad was instantly killed. God has helped me through everything that I have accomplished; I don’t know where I would be without him. Every Sunday I sing and play my violin in my church choir, and I am the treasurer for our youth group.
I encourage everyone to pursue their dreams and never give up. Join SkillsUSA and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there because you will never know what you are capable of doing until you try.