Wiregrass Tech competed in the State SkillsUSA competition last weekend and will have 26 students advancing to National SkillsUSA competition in Kentucky this June. Those pictured are listed not in order as they are standing are: James Grobsmith, ShaDawn Powell, Emily Anderson, Carson Poindexter, Clay Schools, John Lake, Jeffrey Betts, Heather Bennett, Deric Jackson, Jeff Gary, Caleb Wells, Abigail Abonza, DeMorrio Hansley, Jacquelyn Mitchell, Dasha Morgan, Don Reeves, Geremy Brantley, Steven Sauls, Rose Sysskind, Hope Vaughn, Ginna Chaney, Emilie Hall, Chris Rampley, Andrea Jacobsen, Morgan Davis, and Andy Francis.
Valdosta, GA— Wiregrass Georgia Technical College had an overwhelming showing at the 2019 SkillsUSA State Championship in Atlanta this past weekend. The college brought back 26 gold, 23 silver, and 10 bronze medals in the skills competition among other colleges. The college medaled in 83% of the contests the students competed in and 67% of Wiregrass students who competed earned a medal. Among the gold medal count is the Gold Chapter of Distinction level award for the second year in a row. Wiregrass’ SkillsUSA Chapter was also recognized for Largest Member Growth and Largest Chapter again this year.
Kelley Wetherington, Campus Life Coordinator and SkillsUSA Advisor, worked hard this year to recruit students for the organization and to help coordinate the service projects that led them to win the gold level Chapter of Distinction award. For the second year in a row, the Wiregrass Chapter was recognized for the largest chapter increase of members (81), and the largest chapter, with 180 members. The Chapter had 89 students compete in 48 contests, and brought home 59 medals. “I am beyond proud of the students and advisors for their dedication, sacrifice, and hard work that they put in this year,” shared Wetherington. “Not only did the students put in extra time perfecting their skills for competition, but they also put in extra time helping with several chapter projects in addition to juggling their college and home life.” Some of the projects students participated in were “Give our Neighbors a Helping Hand,” for hurricane relief; Paladins Wars, an eSports gaming competition, “What’s in your brand?”, how to prepare for job interviews, and Tiaras and Ties, a project to support individuals with special needs attending the Tim Tebow Night to Shine Proms.
Wiregrass Tech has 26 gold medalists who will now compete at the National SkillsUSA competition in Kentucky this June after winning top place at the state-wide competition. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. It is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers, high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skills service occupations, including health occupations. The SkillsUSA program hosts local, state, and national competition for students to showcase their skills learned through hands-on training in the classroom. Wiregrass also had 23 students who earned silver medals, and 11 with bronze medals.
“Wiregrass is extremely proud of all our students who participated in the SkillsUSA competition. Our instructors did an excellent job preparing students for state competition,” stated Wiregrass President Dr. Tina K. Anderson. “We are especially proud to have twenty-six gold medals including gold for Chapter Distinction, twenty-three silver, and ten bronze. Wiregrass will be well represented at the National SkillsUSA Championships in June. We congratulate these students, faculty, and advisors.”
Wiregrass students who competed and won gold include and will go on to represent Wiregrass Georgia Tech at the SkillsUSA National Championships in June in Louisville, Kentucky:
James Grobsmith (Barbering), Valdosta Campus in Barbering
ShaDawn Powell (Radiology), Valdosta Campus in Career Pathways in Health Care Science
Emily Anderson (Radiology), Valdosta Campus in Career Pathways in Health Care Science
Carson Poindexter (Radiology), Valdosta Campus in Career Pathways in Health Care Science
Clay Schools (Precision Machine Tool), Valdosta Campus in CNC Milling Specialist
John Lake, (Precision Machine Tool), Valdosta Campus in CNC Technician
Jeffrey Betts (Precision Machine Tool), Valdosta Campus in CNC Turning Specialist
Heather Bennett (Radiology), Valdosta Campus in Community Service
Deric Jackson (Radiology), Valdosta Campus in Community Service
Jeff Gary (Radiology), Valdosta Campus in Community Service
Caleb Wells (Computer Support), Valdosta Campus in Computer Programming
Abigail Abonza (Business Technology), Coffee Campus in Entrepreneurship
DeMorrio Hansley (Business Management), Coffee Campus in Entrepreneurship
Jacquelyn Mitchell (Business Management), Coffee Campus in Entrepreneurship
Dasha Morgan (Business Management), Coffee Campus in Entrepreneurship
Don Reeves (Cybersecurity), Valdosta Campus in Information Technology Systems
Geremy Brantley (Gaming Development), Valdosta Campus in Interactive App and Video Game Creation
Steven Sauls (Computer Programming), Valdosta Campus in Interactive App and Video Game Creation
Rose Sysskind (Advanced Patient Care), Valdosta Campus in Nurse Assisting
Hope Vaughn (Radiology), Valdosta Campus in Pin Design
Ginna Chaney (Radiology), Valdosta Campus in Promotional Bulletin Board
Emilie Hall (Radiology), Valdosta Campus in Promotional Bulletin Board
Chris Rampley (Radiology), Valdosta Campus in Promotional Bulletin Board
Andrea Jacobsen (Accounting) in T-Shirt Design
Morgan Davis (Welding), Valdosta Campus in Welding
Andy Francis (Welding), Valdosta Campus in Welding Art Sculpture
Silver medal winners from Wiregrass were:
Eric Arroyo (Gaming Development), Valdosta Campus in 3-D Visualization and Animation
Andrew Ngo (Gaming Development), Valdosta Campus in 3-D Visualization and Animation
Nathan Storey (Precision Machine Tool), Valdosta Campus in Automated Manufacturing Technology
Chad Fletcher (Precision Machine Tool), Valdosta Campus in Automated Manufacturing Technology
Ransom Weidner (Precision Machine Tool), Valdosta Campus in Automated Manufacturing Technology
Tae Anderson (Automotive Collision Repair), Valdosta Campus in Automotive Refinishing
Nichola Herman (Culinary Arts), Valdosta Campus in Commercial Baking Technology
Brandi Blair (Cybersecurity), Valdosta Campus in Cybersecurity
William Weber (Cybersecurity), Valdosta Campus in Cybersecurity
Hugo Coadou (Digital Media Technology), Valdosta Campus in Digital Cinema Production
Jacob Bennett (Digital Media Technology), Valdosta Campus in Digital Cinema Production
Amber Brown (Cosmetology), Valdosta Campus in Entrepreneurship
Emily Fisher (Cosmetology), Valdosta Campus in Entrepreneurship
David Orr (Barbering), Valdosta Campus in Entrepreneurship
Nichole Douglas (Cosmetology), Valdosta Campus in Entrepreneurship
Mason Williams (Industrial Systems Technology), Valdosta Campus in Industrial Motor Controls
Jessica Blackburn (Culinary Arts), Valdosta Campus in Job Skills Demonstration A
Joyce Singletary (Neuromuscular Massage Therapy), Valdosta Campus in Job Skills Demonstration Open
Kimberly Burkes (Nursing Technology), Valdosta Campus in Nursing Assisting
Sachem Lane (Culinary Arts), Valdosta Campus in Restaurant Services
Joshua Velasquez (Air Conditioning), Valdosta Campus in Sheet Metal
Daniel Yawn (Telecommunications), Ben Hill-Irwin Campus in Telecommunication Cabling
Hannah Rayburn (Radiology), Valdosta Campus in T-Shirt Design
Students who won bronze medals at the state level were:
Joseph Durrah (Gaming Development), Valdosta Campus in 3-D Visualization and Animation
Dylan Smith (Gaming Development), Valdosta Campus in 3-D Visualization and Animation
Asa Newsom (Precision Machine Tool), Valdosta Campus in CNC Technician
EmmaSue Sanders (Cosmetology), Valdosta Campus in Cosmetology
Rachel Jankowski (Esthetics), Valdosta Campus in Esthetics
Jason Richardson (information Technology Systems) Valdosta Campus in Information Technology Systems
Justin Francis (Cybersecurity), Valdosta Campus in Internetworking
Jayson McCook (Mechatronics), Valdosta Campus in Mechatronics
Bailey Williams (Mechatronics), Valdosta Campus in Mechatronics
Sachem Lane (Culinary Arts), Valdosta Campus in Restaurant Services
Other college participants include: Valdosta Campus – Jamal Clements, Arnold Drayton, Steven Daniels, Zachary Hooks, Britney Perez, Rita Jane Griffin, Lindsey Lee, Callie Witherspoon, Faith Young, Brandon Davis, Alan Daub, Chad Douglas, Caitlin Rollins, Andy Bruce, Demiven Knighton, Jennifer Osteen, Chris Andrusevich, Dakota Knudsen, and Brice Cooper; Ben Hill-Irwin Campus – Nikki Johnson, Rachel Sumner, Danautica Carter, Angie Kitrell, and Felicia Dukes; Coffee Campus – Summer Smith, Corey Carver, Morgan Ballard, Natalie Lynch, John Holloman, and Damien Cook .
For more information about Wiregrass’ SkillsUSA chapter or other student organization and programs, visit wiregrass.edu. Wiregrass is currently accepting new students for Summer Semester. Classes begin May 15 for full term and May 28 for 8-week Summer Express term.
