Clarkesville, GA – North Georgia Technical College (NGTC) students brought home top awards from the recent Postsecondary SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference held in Atlanta. The NGTC SkillsUSA Chapter received a total of 11 medals representing various programs in the competition.
Gold medalists included Photography students Victor Baer of Macon, Ga., and Robert Jones of Cornelia, Ga., in Video Production; Laney Ertzberger of Clermont, Ga., in Photography; and Riley Moody of Clarkesville, Ga., and Summer Stewart of Marietta, Ga in Digital Cinema Production. Registered Nursing student Margaret Stuart of Morganton, Ga., and Practical Nursing students Lindsey Giles of Hiawassee, Ga., Shaunda Queen of Epworth, Ga., and Mackena Settles of Young Harris, Ga., claimed gold in the Health Knowledge Bowl. Gold medalists also included Welding students Kaitlyn Crosby of Rabun Gap, Ga., in Welding; and Dylan Lynn of Covington, Ga., Samuel Logan of Blairsville, Ga., and Austin Fairless of Young Harris, Ga., in Welding Fabrication.
Photography student Elain Brown of Clarkesville, Ga., claimed silver in Photography while Culinary Arts student Ryleah Campbell of Copperhill, Tenn., claimed silver in Restaurant Services. Emily Murphy of Commerce, Ga., Noah Casey of Clarkesville, Ga., and Kelsey Harris of Young Harris, Ga., placed bronze in Photography, Culinary Arts, and Practical Nursing, respectively.
Other students who competed and represented NGTC included Cosmetology student Lydia Newton of Mineral Bluff, Ga.; Culinary Arts students Emily Martin of Royston, Ga., and Kaelin Kuhn of Commerce, Ga.; and Practical Nursing students Alexis Young of Blairsville, Ga., Haley Ensley of Blue Ridge, Ga., Britany Evans of Morganton, Ga., Holly Passmore of Blairsville, Ga., and Tiffany Plemons of Morganton, Ga.
“I am tremendously proud of our students, faculty, and staff who participated in the recent SkillsUSA State Conference in Atlanta,” said NGTC President John Wilkinson. “Having the opportunity to witness our students showcase their skills was truly inspirational. It was a very successful day for our NGTC competitors, and we wish our state winners much success as they move into national competition later this year.”
“Congratulations to our NGTC students and faculty advisors on a very successful SkillsUSA State Conference,” said Katie Johnson, NGTC assistant director of secondary initiatives and SkillsUSA lead advisor. “Our students, with the guidance of their advisors, have been preparing for these competitions since fall semester – some longer. The dedication and work ethic that was displayed by our students and their advisors is to be commended. We look forward to witnessing their success at the national competition this summer.”
SkillsUSA is a career and technical student organization that develops citizenship, technical, leadership, and teamwork skills essential for students who are preparing for the workforce and further education. Gold medal winners will advance to the National SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Conference and Competition that will be held in Atlanta June 23-27, 2025.
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