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Friends of Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education,
We are excited to share this incredible success story of a Blue Hills Regional Tech student who is also a leader in Massachusetts SkillsUSA.
This and other student success stories can be found on the Massachusetts SkillsUSA website: https://www.maskillsusa.org/our-stories/
We thank Executive Director Karen Ward for sharing the incredible leadership stories of our Massachusetts SkillsUSA students.
David
From Graphic Design Student to Digital Storyteller
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When Brian Anastasio first stepped into the graphic design shop at Blue Hills Regional Technical School, he had no idea he’d one day become the voice telling the SkillsUSA Massachusetts story across its social platforms. Today, as the organization’s digital media specialist, he channels his own student experiences into telling the stories of others.
“I just started full time with SkillsUSA Massachusetts, and it feels so magical to be able to say that” Anastasio said. “I remind myself every day why I’m here and who I’m doing it for. This work is purposeful and impactful.”
Like many students, Anastasio admits he didn’t know what SkillsUSA was when he was first encouraged to join. “My advisor had seen something in me and signed me up to be a chapter officer and attend the Fall State Leadership Conference,” he said. “I didn’t fight him on it, and after that weekend I fell in love with SkillsUSA.”
He competed in design events, served on the Student Advisory Committee, and quickly discovered his strengths leaned toward leadership and delegation. “I flourished and did much better on the leadership side of things,” he said with a chuckle..
Bringing Creativity to Digital Media
After high school, Anastasio studied graphic design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), pairing his creative skills with hands-on experiences. “I flourished at SCAD. I worked with professionals at Coca-Cola and did internships with The Disney Company and Habitat for Humanity,” he said. “SCAD and SkillsUSA had the same belief in real fieldwork and the power of hands-on learning.”
Even then, he remained involved with SkillsUSA as a member of the Alumni Association, helping to facilitate conferences and giving back to the next generation. Today, he serves on its board as marketing and membership officer. While initially working as a graphic designer, he also returned to his high school to teach.
After joining SkillsUSA Massachusetts as an official staff member, he brought a hands-on mindset to managing the organization’s social media channels. His work ranges from infographics and mini-series during the year to fast-paced event coverage during conference season.
“I like to say I’m giving an inside look at what our officers and our state are doing,” he said, noting that he’s constantly watching for candid moments. “I’m usually lurking in the shadows with my camera, capturing students in their element without being a distraction.”
Anastasio emphasizes authenticity over posed shots, in part for their impact. “I never want to post photos of students posing. I love the candid moments: the smiles, the energy, the teamwork,” he said. “Parents love seeing their kids branching out and being independent leaders, and those candid moments really capture that.”
Strategy Meets Heart
Behind the scenes, Anastasio takes a careful approach to posting. During conference season, he prepares daily shot lists and works tirelessly to ensure even coverage of students and officers. “I did about 60,000 steps at our national conference,” he laughed. “But keeping cool is the biggest part of it. It’s not the end of the world if one thing doesn’t go as planned. You just move on to the next student, the next shot.”
He sees social media not as marketing, but as mission-driven outreach. “We’re not trying to sell a product. This is outreach. This is, ‘We have a voice, and we’re here to use it.’ SkillsUSA has given me so many opportunities – as a teacher, an actor, a designer,” he said. “To be able to share that impact with students is what I love most.”
After all, Anastasio recognizes how SkillsUSA helped him “find himself” as a leader. “If I’m not the living definition of how skills apply across fields, I don’t know who is. Without SkillsUSA, I wouldn’t be here. Knowing the impact, it had on me is why I happily returned. I want to provide that same opportunity for others.”
His favorite part of the job isn’t a single post or photo, but the bigger picture. “My dad always told me, if you love what you do, it won’t feel like work,” he said. “And I think I finally found that. It doesn’t feel like work.”
Chapter 74 Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education
LEARNING THAT WORKS FOR MASSACHUSETTS
David J. Ferreira
MAVA Communications Coordinator
DavidFerreira