STC students showcase excellence at SkillsUSA State Competition

For years, the SkillsUSA Georgia State Leadership and Skills Conference has been an event at which Southeastern Technical College (STC) students prove their abilities, and this year followed that tradition.

SkillsUSA is America’s champion of skilled trades as the #1 workforce development organization for students, empowering them to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders, and responsible community members.

The conference, held February 20-22, 2025, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, served as the platform for students to demonstrate their skills, gain insight into the latest industry trends, and connect with industry professionals.

Southeastern Technical College students brought home one gold medal, two silver medals, and two bronze medals: Abigail Phillips, from Mount Vernon, Early Childhood Education – Gold Medal;

Joann Fernandez, from Swainsboro, Barbering – Silver Medal; William Wise, from Kite, Electronics – Silver Medal; Macy Strickland, from Vidalia, Nail Care – Bronze Medal, with Anna Bohannon, from Hazlehurst, as her model; Mackenzie Grimm, from Lyons, Esthetics – Bronze Medal, with Jeri Kimbrough, from Mount Vernon, as her model. Abigail Phillips will advance to the National SkillsUSA Competition in Atlanta in June.

The event features 154 championships showcasing students’ skills in leadership, human services, construction, health science, law and public safety, graphic communications, TV and film, and transportation. Attendees also networked to further their career exploration opportunities.

The other STC representatives and their areas of competition were: Jaylie Clance, from Baxley, Cosmetology; Findlay Griner, from Metter, Nail Care; Jamie Mallard, from Vidalia, Job Interview; Loraine Middleton, from Statesboro, Nail Care/Esthetics Model; Carrie Newsome, from Swainsboro, Nail Care/Esthetics Model; Madisen Rich, from Swainsboro, Esthetics.

Students and faculty at Southeastern Technical College joined others across the nation February 2-8 to celebrate SkillsUSA Week as part of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. The annual celebration represents over 380,000 SkillsUSA members nationwide. The week highlights the benefits of the SkillsUSA framework when incorporated with academics. It also allows schools to demonstrate how CTE helps prepare students for high-wage, high-demand career fields.

Thirty-nine STC students are SkillsUSA members.

“This is my favorite conference to attend each year. It’s always an exciting time for the students and advisors, and we look forward to seeing the students shine as they go for the GOLD. I want to thank all the program advisors who take time to prepare students for the competitions and share this experience with them,” said Tina Jernigan, STC SkillsUSA Advisor and Business Management instructor.

A solution to the skills gap, SkillsUSA has served nearly 15 million members since its founding in 1965. SkillsUSA chapters are in middle schools, high schools, and college/postsecondary institutions.

For more information on SkillsUSA at STC, visit www.southeasterntech.edu or call (912) 538-3123.