BUCKEYE, AZ — Leadership took center stage last week as Career & Technical Student Organization (CTSO) student officers from across Buckeye Union High School District came together for Level Up in Leadership, a four-day officer training experience held September 8–11 at Buckeye Union High School.

Nearly 300 students and advisors representing 32 CTSO chapters across HOSA, FBLA, FCCLA, and SkillsUSA participated in the training, creating an opportunity for student leaders from across the district to connect, collaborate, and prepare for the year ahead.

The training provided a meaningful opportunity for CTSO officers to strengthen their leadership skills and build momentum for the work taking place within their chapters throughout the year.

Each day began with an inspirational keynote featuring Jaime Ryum, Brian Wright, Angelica Ponder, and Glenn Pudua. Drawing from their own experiences, each speaker encouraged students to think about their leadership roles and the influence they can have on their peers, schools, and communities.

The gaming-inspired theme brought energy and creativity to the experience. Students participated in interactive team-building challenges, attended leadership breakout sessions, and worked alongside their chapter teams to develop their Program of Work for the 2026–27 school year.

Beyond the scheduled sessions, the training created opportunities for students from different campuses and CTSOs to learn from one another. Officers exchanged ideas, worked through challenges as teams, and gained new perspectives on what it means to lead within a student organization.

The week also highlighted the many opportunities available to students through Career & Technical Education. This year's “I AM CTE” message was reflected throughout the experience as students explored how their CTE programs and CTSOs can help them discover their interests, develop valuable skills, find their purpose, and prepare for life after high school.

With their training complete, CTSO officers returned to their campuses equipped with new ideas, strengthened connections, and plans for the year ahead. Their leadership will help shape the experiences of fellow students as CTSO chapters continue to expand opportunities for career exploration, skill development, competition, service, and personal growth.

Through experiences like Level Up in Leadership, BUHSD continues to provide students with opportunities to lead today while building the skills and confidence they need for what's next.

###