VALDOSTA — Thirteen students from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College are heading to the national SkillsUSA competition in Atlanta in June after winning gold medals at the statewide SkillsUSA championship.

This was the first in-person competition since 2019.

“The college made an outstanding performance winning 13 gold, four silver and two bronze medals,” college officials said in a statement. “For the fourth consecutive year, Wiregrass has been recognized as a Gold Chapter of Distinction winner. Once again, Wiregrass’ SkillsUSA Chapter has been recognized as the largest SkillsUSA Chapter with 105 members.”

Kelley Wetherington, Director of Campus Life for Wiregrass and Senior Advisor for SkillsUSA, coordinates the chapter’s community projects and has sponsored three major events this year.

“De-Stress-ember” took place in December, providing Wiregrass employees and students the opportunity to relax before the finals while also providing Neuromuscular Massage Therapy students the opportunity to complete check sheets required by the State for specific job skills.

Members of the SkillsUSA chapter planned and executed the event for college students and employees. During the spring semester, the chapter helped local animal shelters with a project called “Keep Creatures Cozy and Their Kennels Clean.” It was an opportunity for members to use their problem-solving skills to figure out how to support local animal shelters amid COVID restrictions. The event committee collected specific items to help meet the needs of local shelters.

The chapter focused on “What’s in Your Brand?” Build a personal brand that works for you. The goal of the project was to help students improve their interview skills and promote confidence in interview techniques. In-person or virtual interviews were held for each participant, allowing them to receive individual feedback from interviewers and advisors.

“It was wonderful to hear Wiregrass called out so many times during the awards show,” said Wiregrass President DeAnnia Clements. “The dedication of our instructors and advisors is evident in the performance of our students year after year. We congratulate these students, teachers and advisors, and look forward to National SkillsUSA in Atlanta in June.

Wiregrass students who won gold will represent Wiregrass Georgia Tech at the SkillsUSA National Championships:

– Wilmer Calles, Game Development, Valdosta Campus in 3D visualization and animation.

– Tatianna Conger, Game Development, Valdosta Campus in 3D visualization and animation.

– Hayden Davis, Precision Machining, Valdosta Campus in Automated Manufacturing Technology.

– Nathaniel Gray, CNC Specialist, Valdosta Campus in Automated Manufacturing Technology.

– MJ Johnson, Precision Machining, Valdosta Campus in Automated Manufacturing Technology.

– Elaine Elder, Culinary Arts, Valdosta Campus in Commercial Bakery.

– Brandon Howell, Commercial Electrical Construction, Valdosta Campus in Electrical Construction Wiring.

– Lola Valler, Cosmetology, Valdosta Campus in Open Professional Skills Demonstration.

– Eric Arroyo, Mechatronics, Valdosta Campus in Mechatronics.

– Joseph Durrah, mechatronics, Valdosta campus in mechatronics.

– Nadia Harris, Media Design and Production, Valdosta Campus in Pin Design.

– Andrew Ngo, computer programming, Valdosta campus in t-shirt design.

– Ryan Degner, Welding, Campus Valdosta in Welding Sculpture.

The Wiregrass silver medalists were:

– Darrellnette McCrae Stibbibs, Culinary Arts, Valdosta Campus in Culinary Arts.

– Adrian Malagon-Galvan, cosmetology, Valdosta campus in the demonstration of professional skills A.

– Aileen Jones, Practical Nursing, Valdosta Campus in Nursing Aid.

– Noah Gunter, Media Design and Production, Valdosta Campus in Pin Design.

Students who won bronze medals at the state level were:

– Jonathon Wilson, mechatronics, Valdosta campus in industrial motor control.

– Adasia Zackery, Nursing Technician, Campus Valdosta in Nursing Aid.

Other college attendees include Aaron Parker, Keith Barron, David Grace, Tetiana Denysenko, Tedria Martin, and William Smith from the Valdosta campus; and the Ben Hill-Irwin Shanterra Shelton Campus.

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. It is a national non-profit organization serving teachers, high school and college students preparing for careers in trades, techniques and skills.

The SkillsUSA program holds local, state, and national competitions for students to showcase their skills gained through hands-on classroom training.

For more information about the SkillsUSA Chapter of Wiregrass or other student organizations and programs, visit wiregrass.edu. Wiregrass is hosting Free Apps Week, March 14-18; Summer semester classes begin May 16.