Building community starts with encouraging and inspiring the youth.
Taking the time to work with them and model positive change helps strengthen ties to the community and fosters an understanding of helping others.
Area SkillsUSA students worked together to construct a lending library for the community to use. Mrs. Hannah VanScotter, B.S., MA Ed, EdS, CTE, Science, & Math Teacher at Carlsbad High School, shared, “The idea began when members of the Carlsbad High School SkillsUSA chapter approached their advisor for help with their American Spirit Competition portfolio which focuses on community service and patriotism. During a brainstorming session, the team proposed creating a lending library—an idea inspired by similar efforts in other communities. After connecting with Kat Davis from Carlsbad MainStreet and Mary Garwood from Keep Carlsbad Beautiful, they learned this was already a community goal, making the timing perfect to collaborate and bring the vision to life.”
“SkillsUSA is a national organization that empowers students to become world-class workers, leaders, and responsible American citizens. It provides students with opportunities to develop personal, workplace, and technical skills grounded in academics through hands-on learning, leadership roles, and community service,” said VanScotter. “SkillsUSA has been active at Carlsbad High School since 1998, originally known as VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America) before becoming SkillsUSA. Today, the chapter includes students from several Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways, including Autotech, Construction, Engineering, Energy, and Welding. The chapter is also working to expand and include even more pathways next year, such as Culinary and Media Design, continuing to grow and offer opportunities for more students across campus,” VanScotter added.
According to VanScotter, this was a full chapter effort, with around 100 registered SkillsUSA members at Carlsbad High School contributing to the project in various ways, from design and construction to community outreach. “Students began working on the lending library project in late fall of 2024. The American Spirit Team, particularly Alyssandra Pauletti, took the lead by drafting a detailed proposal that was submitted to Carlsbad MainStreet. While advisors helped students connect with community partners, students had full control over the library’s design and implementation. They collaborated with Mr. Ruiz’s construction class to build the library and with engineering teacher Mrs. Clark to convert their sketches into blueprints,” she added. It truly is a team effort when students and staff work together for the greater good.
The first lending library will be located on the lawn of the Eddy County Courthouse in downtown Carlsbad, making it easy for the public to access it. The lending library will be maintained by the Carlsbad High School SkillsUSA Chapter, ensuring it remains stocked and in good condition.
The lending library will benefit the district as we host multiple community events throughout the year as well as promote tourism and other beautification efforts to encourage foot traffic and visitors to our downtown. We have partnered with Eddy County to utilize the Courthouse Lawn to house the lending library and believe that it is a good location for community access. Individuals could borrow a book, return it when finished, or replace it with a completely new one. This sharing library would help promote literacy, increase traffic flow to our downtown district, and instill some life skills such as generosity and trustworthiness. This is a great opportunity for adults and children to expand their reading horizons while feeling excitement about the idea of never knowing what options are going to be in the box. Our vision for the library would be for it to contain books initially, but to have the capacity to grow beyond just books. Our vision is to see a multitude of books in this collection serving our community's diverse population and languages. MainStreet will monitor the library regularly to ensure it is utilized as we envisioned. This is an effort to not only have an additional beautification project for our district, but also another way for us to foster community spirit and partnerships. With the Carlsbad Public Library in close proximity to the lending library, we will work with them on their efforts for the community to be aware that the library doesn't just exist within the building walls, but that we are working in partnership to meet people where they are at in the community and strengthen and support literacy efforts.
“The SkillsUSA chapter hopes to build additional lending libraries tailored to different locations. Ideas include a beach-themed library at the Beach Park stocked with beach toys and books, and another on Ocotillo Trail with nature guides, binoculars, and outdoor activities. The team is also open to expanding the libraries beyond books to include items like tools or emergency supplies,” shared VanScotter.
VanScotter enthused, “This project reflects the heart of what SkillsUSA stands for: using technical knowledge and leadership to serve the community. It’s not just about books—it’s about building something lasting, meaningful, and student-led. The lending library is a symbol of community collaboration, youth leadership, and the power of service learning in action.”
Article written by Michele Robertson and originally published in Focus on Carlsbad 2025 Summer edition.
Michele Robertson
There are many facets to what makes me who I am. Enjoying time in nature while practicing "leave no trace" principles and doing interesting, educational, and cultural activities with my kids tops the list of my favorite things. I’m also a community advocate and volunteer, doing what I can to make a positive impact.
