Wiregrass Georgia Tech students participate in national competition


July 5, 2012

Valdosta, GA-- 13 Wiregrass Georgia Tech students recently attended the 48th Annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference held in Kansas City on June 23 through 27. More than 12,500 people from across the nation - including students, teachers and business partners - participated in the week-long event. More than 5,600 outstanding career and technical education students - all state contest winners - competed hands-on in 94 different trade, technical and leadership fields.

Faye Dasher of Valdosta won a silver medal in medical terminology. Jeremy Vittitow of Abbeville won a silver medal in telecommunications cabling. Luke Thrift of Douglas won a bronze medal in prepared speech. Olympia Boone, Donya Land, and Traci Wynn, all of Fitzgerald, won a bronze in a team competition for crime scene investigation.

Other students participating in the competitions included Justin Baker, Tifton, in computer programming; Ebony Barber, Fitzgerald, in residential systems and installation technology; Brandon Dow, Valdosta, in CNC Milling technology; Breena Harris, Ray City, in occupational health and safety; Carol Padgett, Valdosta, in occupational health and safety; Henry McCray, Valdosta, in automotive refinishing technology; and Jonathon Reed, Douglas, in computer maintenance technology.

“SkillsUSA is a wonderful experience for all involved,” said Lisa Howell, director of campus life. “We are proud of all of our students for representing Wiregrass Georgia Tech so well at the national, state, and regional levels. They are all outstanding students and each is a winner.” SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. 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 Skills USA program hosts local, state, and national competition for students to showcase their skills learned through hands-on training in the classroom.

For more information about SkillsUSA, please contact Lisa Howell, campus life director, at lisa.howell@wiregrass.edu or (229) 468-2104.