Altamaha Technical College students bring home gold from state SkillsUSA competition

(SkillsUSA winners) Pictured (left to right) are William McLeod (Gold for Extemporaneous Speaking), Bradley Brown (Gold for Industrial Motor Control, Charity Yawn (Bronze for Practical Nursing), Kelsie Crump (Silver for Health Occupations Professional Portfolio), Jerry Culbertson, Joni Miller, Amanda Miller, Casey Bratton, Eleni Cowart and Mary Pearce (not pictured), (Gold for Health Knowledge Bowl), Markeem Walker (Bronze for Technical Computer Applications), Bobby Gordon, Michael Hitt, Angela Summerville (not pictured), (Gold for Green Your School). (Photo provided)
JESUP, Ga. (March 20, 2012)— Altamaha Technical College brought home four Gold medals, one Silver medal and two Bronze medals at the 2012 SkillsUSA State Competitions in Atlanta March 17-19.

Students winning gold and the chance to compete at SkillsUSA Nationals June 23-28 in Kansas City, Mo., are William McLeod of Brunswick (Extemporaneous Speaking) and Bradley Brown of Hazlehurst (Industrial Motor Control). Jerry Culbertson of Hazlehurst, Joni Miller of Baxley, Amanda Miller of Jesup, Casey Bratton of Uvalda, Eleni Cowart of Baxley and Mary Pearce of Surrency participated as a team in the Health Knowledge Bowl winning top honors and a gold medal, which means they will also be competing at Nationals.

Also winning a gold medal as a team is Bobby Gordon of Brunswick, Michael Hitt of St. Simons Island and Angela Summerville of Brunswick for the Green Your School competition, a Georgia-only category that does not continue to compete at Nationals.

Kelsie Crump of Blackshear won a silver medal for Health Occupations Professional Portfolio. Students winning bronze are Markeem Walker of Brunswick for Technical Computer Applications and Charity Yawn of Baxley for Practical Nursing.

SkillsUSA teaches employability skills in coordination with technical instruction for 130 occupations in areas including manufacturing, construction, information technology and human services. The nonprofit education association holds annual state competitions for students who can earn recognition, industry tools and prizes, and college scholarships.

Ten advisors traveled with the 28 students participating in the SkillsUSA competitions at four separate locations around Atlanta. Students participating and their individual areas of competition also included: Tantinia Williams of Ludowici, David McDuffie of Jesup, Leslie Seward of Saint Marys, and Bruce Robinson of Kingsland (Quiz Bowl); Frankie Faircloth of Baxley and Donna Thornton of Jesup (Medical Math); Shaina Edwards of Surrency and Jennifer Tomberlin of Odum (Medical Terminology); SaTonya Cannon of Brunswick (Cosmetology); Demin Fang of Jesup (HVAC & Refrigeration); Teresa Weatherford of Glennville (Practical Nursing); Brian Chesser of Patterson (Precision Machining); and, Michael McCloud of Lyons (Residential Wiring).

Altamaha Technical College thanks the leadership and support of the participating advisors: James Tankersley, Sheryl Nipper, Tammy Higgins, Greg Ussery, David Bailey, Doug Neal, Cathy Montgomery, Tracy Brummett, Tom Lukin and Ray Powers.

Visit Altamaha Technical College at one of its five regional locations in Baxley, Brunswick, Hazlehurst, Jesup and Kingsland or go online to www.altamahatech.edu. Altamaha Technical College offers more than 80 degree, diploma and certificate programs. Summer Semester begins May 21.
About SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA is a nationwide partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. It is a nonprofit education association serving high school and postsecondary public career and technical education. SkillsUSA teaches employability skills in coordination with technical instruction for 130 occupations in areas including manufacturing, construction, information technology and human services. SkillsUSA serves over 320,000 members annually and has the active support of more than 1,100 corporations, trade associations, businesses and labor unions at the national level. Members conduct community service projects and can also interact with local businesspeople in their field of study. Through the SkillsUSA Championships program, members can earn recognition, industry tools and prizes, and college scholarships by competing in local, state, and national competitions. For more information, go to www.skillsusa.org.