There’s No Business Like Snow Business: Meet the Student Leader Managing Winter Carnival

Skyler Spitzley remembers building her first Michigan Tech Winter Carnival snow statue as a new Husky. Now she's in charge of the entire event.

In 2022, Spitzley worked on St. Albert the Great University Parish's winning All-Nighter entry for the snow statue competition. "I stayed up the whole night. I was so proud of myself and I remember being so proud that we erected a statue as large as it was in 15 hours! I still have the Instagram reel of it," she said.

Since then, Spitzley has gone on to accomplish even more momentous feats during her time at Tech. As the current president of Michigan Technological University's Blue Key National Honor Society chapter, she's leading the organization and operations of this year's Winter Carnival — one of her biggest endeavors yet.

"I feel like I'm running a business," said Spitzley. It's a role that suits the business management major, who is concentrating her studies in operations and supply chain management. "I love that I get to be a part of something bigger than myself."

Winter Carnival began in 1922. Blue Key has been in charge of the beloved and well-known Tech tradition since 1934. Students are inducted into Blue Key based on high scholastic achievement and demonstrated leadership — and going in, they know what will be taking up most of their time aside from their studies: staging an event, from choosing the annual theme to arranging for the closing fireworks display, that thousands attend.

"One of my responsibilities is to make sure that we're listening to what campus wants," said Spitzley. "But planning and executing Winter Carnival is not only for Michigan Tech students, faculty and staff — it's also for alumni, prospective students and the Keweenaw community, including local businesses. Because I'm part of this organization, I get to impact so many people and I love it!"

Spitzley's involvement with Blue Key began at the end of her first year at Tech.

"My friend was joining and wanted a buddy to join with her. I didn't know exactly what Blue Key did, but I was looking for an opportunity to use my organization, planning and leadership skills. Blue Key was exactly what I was looking for. It was professional development and it provided a service to the community," she said.

Spitzley previously served as Blue Key vice president. Her goals for her presidential term extend beyond the logistics of successfully staging the region's largest event. She's carrying on what she refers to as an ongoing shift in organizational culture to "make Blue Key more inviting, exciting and appealing to students."

"I appreciate that I can execute my vision to make this organization about more than just Winter Carnival — because it is," Spitzley said. "Blue Key is a leadership, scholarship and service organization that has the service project of Winter Carnival. But we do more. We grow leaders by offering more leadership workshops and opportunities to mentor others. We lean into different service projects and activities. We provide members with a network of people to connect with, whether that's former Blue Key members or connections within the University, to allow members to grow their professional networks."

In addition to ensuring that Winter Carnival runs smoothly, Spitzley takes her responsibility for Blue Key's legacy and sustainability seriously.

"I'm here as a support person for all members to be a resource and offer guidance," she said. "I want my organization to be successful now and in the future. An important part of my job is to ensure the Blue Key experience is fun, making sure that members aren't overworked and feel supported throughout their time on Blue Key."

More Highlights from Life as a Michigan Tech Husky

Beyond Blue Key and Winter Carnival, Spitzley makes time for other organizations and activities that are important to her. She's heavily involved with MTU Aquatics as a lifeguard, swim instructor and student coordinator. Spitzley won the Red Cross Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders after working with her fellow lifeguards in 2022 to save the life of a patron who began experiencing chest pain in the Student Development Complex pool.

Spitzley has also been active in Bible studies at St. Al's. She served as treasurer for the Women in Management organization in the College of Business. The former Michigan Tech Orientation team leader, Orientation logistics coordinator, and peer mentor and success coach at Tech's Waino Wahtera Center for Student Success is also a Pavlis Honors College student.

The oldest of five kids, Spitzley hails from Ovid, Michigan. Another highlight of her time at Tech was a faculty-led study abroad trip to Germany in 2024, during which she experienced both her first plane ride and first concert (Tate McRae). Spitzley also participated in a Michigan Tech Alternative Spring Break trip to Port St. Joe, Florida, in 2024, where Huskies assisted with repairs and shoreline cleanup in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

"All of my involvements fill my heart in different ways and that's what makes them valuable to me."Skyler Spitzley '25, business management

"Being involved has allowed me to learn what I personally value. Some organizations have helped me grow in my faith, others have helped me grow professionally, others have helped me make friends and others have helped me feel connected to Michigan Tech," she said. "All of them have taught me the importance of rest and time management, as well as prioritizing taking care of myself. They've taught me to find a balance between academics, myself and organizational involvement. I think that's valuable for any aspect of my life going forward — I will need to find the balance of what I can do versus what I think I can do."

Spitzley is still firming up postgraduation plans, but has her ultimate goal in mind. "I want to work for the International Olympic Committee and help put on the Olympics," she said.

"Blue Key and Michigan Tech have given me a lot of resources and opportunities to learn about myself and find what I like. I love what I do with Blue Key. The feeling of accomplishment and running my own project is so fulfilling. I have learned that I love improving processes and putting on large, complex projects, including community events," said Spitzley. "I think my time at Tech has shown me what I am good at and what I like and I'm hoping I can find something like that in my future."

Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.