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 23 medals, including a bronze medal for overall increase in SkillsUSA members.
Gold medalists included Julie Amara of Blairsville, Ga., in Practical Nursing; Lydia Bryant of Dahlonega, Ga., in First Aid/CPR; Emma Charon of Winder, Ga., in Nurse Assisting; Brinlee Koch of Toccoa, Ga., in Photography and Grayson Rafala of Eastanollee, Ga., in Automotive Service Technology. Dinah Bragg of Blue Ridge, Ga., Jaden Mansbridge of Blairsville, Ga., Elizabeth Morris of Dawsonville, Ga., and Skylar Sneed of Mineral Bluff, Ga., claimed gold in the Health Knowledge Bowl, while Matthew Justus of Danielsville, Ga., Cole Shelton of Cleveland, Ga., and Cooper Smith of Cleveland, Ga., claimed gold in Welding Fabrication.
Silver medalists included Daniel Chavez-Serrano of Gainesville, Ga., in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR); Alexis Franklin of Morganton, Ga., in Medical Assisting; Lindsey Goddard of Mineral Bluff, Ga., in First Aid/CPR; and Amber May of Winder, Ga., in Photography. Cy Curtiss of Waleska, Ga., and Petrona Pedro Pascual of Cornelia, Ga., also claimed silver in Digital Cinema Production.
Bronze medalists included Atalaya Adams of Commerce, Ga., in Medical Assisting; Hannah Redfern of Morganton, Ga., in Practical Nursing; Zoe Fitzgerald of Blairsville, Ga., in Medical Math; Madison Samples of Danielsville, Ga., in Baking & Pastry Arts; Sarah Barron of Demorest, Ga., in Culinary Arts; Bentley Floyd of Hiawassee, Ga., in Industrial Motor Controls; Jacob Young of Young Harris, Ga., in Electrical Construction Wiring; Dorothy Krei of Clarkesville, Ga., in Photography; Ben Lea of Acworth, Ga., in Collision Repair; and Yee Leng Moua of Royston, Ga., in Welding.
Other students who competed and represented NGTC included Joy Atkins of Blairsville, Ga., and Jenna Mathis of Sautee Nacoochee, Ga., in Medical Assisting; Andaiyi Gilchrist of Ellijay, Ga., and Riley Reeves of Blue Ridge, Ga., in Practical Nursing; Emma Denton of Hiawassee, Ga., Joan Vanderzouwen of McCaysville, Ga., and Kendall Wilson of Eastanollee, Ga., in Nurse Assisting; Ralstoun Mallette of Blairsville, Ga., and Haylee Franklin of Epworth, Ga., in Medical Math; Elizabeth Gavel of Blairsville, Ga., Veronica Hogsed of Blue Ridge, Ga., Jessica Johnson of McCaysville, Ga., and Kalliee Stanley of Blue Ridge, Ga., in Medical Terminology; Vanessa Merino of Lawrenceville, Ga., in First Aid/CPR; Briana Ramirez of Cornelia, Ga., in Restaurant Services; Ashley Henriquez of Maysville, Ga., Aubrey Barth of Carnesville, Ga., and Sky Parker of Nicholson, Ga., in Crime Scene Investigation; Dawson Pearson of Blairsville, Ga., in Plumbing; Kennedy Johnson of Lawrenceville, Ga., and Demonta Strong of Toccoa, Ga., in Digital Cinema Production; Jose Garrido of Cornelia, Ga., in Automotive Refinishing Technology; Daniel Jimison of Marietta, Ga., in Collision Repair; and Ansley Shirley of Toccoa, Ga., in Automotive Service Technology.
“I am very proud and impressed by our students, faculty and staff who attended the recent SkillsUSA State Conference in Atlanta,” said NGTC President John Wilkinson. “I am particularly proud that we had winners from all three NGTC campuses. Although SkillsUSA takes extra time and commitment from everyone involved, it has the potential to be a life-changing event for our students. Best of luck to our seven gold medal recipients who will have the opportunity to participate in the National SkillsUSA Competition in June!”
“The 2026 SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference brought NGTC many new accolades,” said Katie Johnson, NGTC assistant director of secondary initiatives and SkillsUSA lead advisor. “This year, NGTC was awarded third place for our increase in SkillsUSA members and students brought home 22 medals – a 200 percent increase from 2025. We had students compete in several new competitions and medal. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication from not only our students, but our faculty and staff as well. I am honored to be part of such an amazing and talented group! I look forward to seeing them compete at Nationals in June.”
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 1-5, 2026.
