By CELESTE LUJAN

Photos by ALEXIS GARCIA

Orangewood High School students from the local SkillsUSA chapter decided to do a toy drive for dogs and cats. They took a field trip to the animal shelter on Oct. 28 to drop off the donations and to experience visiting the animals at the shelter. 

According to the SkillsUSA California website, their goal is to ”empower people to become world class workers to become leaders and responsible American citizens to help the citizens improve the quality and life of our nation’s future skilled workforce.” 

The OHS Skills USA chapter got students to help donate items for the local Redlands Animal Shelter. Members shared their opinion on the experience at the animal shelter and what caught their eye. 

Photos above: The SkillsUSA chapter from Orangewood High School took a field trip to donate items to the Redlands Animal Shelter on Oct. 28. The students held an animal toy drive at school and walked to the shelter to donate the items. (Photos courtesy of Alexis Garcia)

“They have more pit bulls than any other animal. It sucks because pit bulls are always in the shelter,” said Isaiah Dennie, OHS SkillsUSA vice president. “A lot because people think they are ugly, but they are actually very beautiful and cool dogs.”  

Johnny Dominguez, OHS SkillsUSA treasurer, said, “I think this place needs more money to be treated a little better and wish the animals get treated a little better, but they look happy,” said Dominguez.

Lissette Atkinson, an officer at the Redlands Animal Shelter, shared about how she felt with OHS students being there and donating.

“It’s great I love having you students here and we appreciate it a lot and for you guys to come visit us means a lot,” said Atkinson.

“And we are glad to give you knowledge about what the animal control does and what the animal shelter does, because not a lot of people know and a lot of people think, ‘oh they are just dog catchers, they are just there to catch dogs and there to be mean.’ Absolutely not,” said Atkinson. “We are primarily educators and we care about the animals and we want to make sure we give you guys the proper tools to be a successful animal owner.” 

According to the Skills USA website, they are “a national non-profit organization, who is serving middle school, high school and college students. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce.” 

To learn more about California SkillsUSA visit https://www.skillsusaca.org/about