Yuma Union High CTE Students Present to City Councils for CTE Month

Yuma Union High School District Career and Technical Education students spoke to three local city councils to celebrate CTE Month and demonstrate how career-focused programs create pathways into skilled work in Yuma County.

YUHSD reported, “Presentations were delivered to the City of San Luis on January 28 during a City Council meeting, to the City of Somerton on February 3 during a City Council meeting, and to the City of Yuma on February 3 during a Council work session.” During the events, students described program offerings and shared personal experiences showing the direct effect of hands-on training on their post-graduation prospects.

“During each presentation, students shared general information about CTE and told their personal CTE stories, highlighting how the program has positively impacted their lives,” the district said, noting the outreach was timed with February’s CTE Month. “The purpose was to celebrate CTE month and to showcase the difference that CTE makes in the lives of students.”

At the Yuma City Council work-session, Yuma High School CTE Ambassador Ayana Logan told council members, “Thanks to CTE, my perspective on my future has completely changed, it has provided me with opportunities that I believe would not have been possible without it,” and added, “CTE has truly impacted my life, and I am excited to continue being a leader next year and represent it proudly and confidently.” Those remarks illustrated the student-level outcomes district leaders say the presentations aim to publicize.

Nereida Lansman, YUHSD Director of CTE, framed the outreach in workforce terms. “Career and Technical Education plays a vital role in preparing students for a skilled workforce within our community,” Lansman said. “Increasing public awareness of CTE helps community members better understand how these programs provide students with hands-on learning, industry certifications, and career-ready experiences that support local industries and contribute to long-term economic growth.”

For the City of San Luis, the district noted a standing arrangement: “For the City of San Luis, it has been a tradition for students to present at council meetings and the Mayor to issue a proclamation since 2021 but it is the first year that the City of Somerton and the City of Yuma also participated.” Those first-time presentations broaden the campaign beyond the San Luis tradition and bring CTE visibility to more municipal leaders.

The district’s social media posts reflected broader participation and program scale. One Facebook fragment read, “Yuma Union High School District Career and Technical Education (CTE) students held presentations at city council meetings with the City of San,” while an Instagram fragment stated, “F SkillsUSA . MORE THAN 260 YUHSD STUDENTS TOOK PART IN THE 2025 STATE COMPETITION, REPRESENTING 32 CTE PROGRAMS ACROSS THE DISTRICT. . AR .”

For residents, the city council presentations offer a clear view of how local schools are aligning education with employer needs and creating alternatives to four-year college that still deliver credentials and job-ready skills. The district also reminded families that YUHSD schools and offices closed Feb. 13-16 for district-wide professional development and Presidents Day, with students returning Feb. 17. The presentations signal an ongoing effort to link classroom training with community economic priorities and to keep municipal leaders engaged in workforce development.