Athens Tech celebrates GaSkill medal winners

Athens Technical College’s SkillsUSA chapter medaled in 10 competitions with 17 total student medals and the top membership award from the Georgia SkillsUSA competition, underscoring the institution’s commitment to cultivating top-tier industry talent.

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. Its mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. The state Postsecondary Conference took place in Atlanta, Georgia on February 22-24, 2024. It also included a career fair and networking events for students.

The college’s four gold medalists will advance to the 2024 SkillsUSA National Leadership Conference in June to represent the state of Georgia. We are proud to recognize the following students on their achievements at this year’s SkillsUSA State Conference.

Gold medalists include:

• Ivan Ramirez Romero: Collision Damage Appraisal (Athens Campus)
• Walker Hedrick: Automotive Service Technology (Athens Campus)
• Shadian Torres: Job Skill Demonstration Open - Barbering (Walton Campus)
• Will Kirkland: Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (Athens Campus)

Silver medalists include:

• Maddy McKeel: Welding Sculpture (Athens Campus)
• Joseph Maxwell: Automotive Refinishing Technology (Athens Campus)
• Jovanny Cabrera Valdes: Collision Repair Technology (Athens Campus)

Bronze medalists include:

• Jonathan Heredia: Automotive Service Technology (Athens Campus)
• Clayton Adams, Emanuel Benitez, Cory Lord, Andrew Marshall, Ywua Way, Lee Dutton, and Kilik Smith: Quiz Bowl (Athens Campus)
• Omar Phillips: Barbering (Walton Campus)
• Robert Hale: Diesel Equipment Technology (Elbert Campus)

In addition to the medalists, Athens Technical College also won the following awards:

• Quality Chapter Award: Level I Membership Obtained
• Quality Chapter Award: Level II (Silver—Chapter of Excellence) Membership Obtained
• Overall Membership:  1st Place in 2024 SkillsUSA Georgia Postsecondary Division—Highest in ATC and Technical College System of Georgia history with 275 total members

Lilliana Cabaniss, an engineering technology student, ran for state office and is now a State Officer Candidate-Elect for the 2024-2025 year.

Faculty advisors who helped coach students for the programs include: Greg Thomas, automotive collision; Jamie Bruce, automotive technology; Janna Whitfield, barbering and cosmetology; Coleman Simmons, air conditioning technology; Billy Moyers, Kevin James, and Jeremy Kittle in welding technology; and Charles Dawson, Nathan Major, and Daniel Sides in diesel engine technology. Dr. Ashton Dooley, director of student activities, is the overall chapter advisor.

“I’m very proud of the accomplishments of our students and wish the best of luck to the ones heading to nationals,” said ATC President Andrea Daniel. “They all have put in a lot of  time and effort into their trade and it’s rewarding to see their hard work pay off.”

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