Georgia Piedmont Technical College students were big winners during the 53rd Annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference held recently in Louisville, Kentucky.  More than 6,200 students competed in 100 different trade, technical and leadership fields working against the clock - and each other - to prove their expertise in occupations such as television production, technical computer application, nursing, animation, automotive, motorcycle service technology, electronics, computer-aided drafting, precision machining and medical assisting.
 
Georgia Piedmont students earned three Gold Medals, one Silver Medal and a fifth place standing recognition. Gold Medal winners were Jacquelyn Durgan, Essence Jones and Adrainne Thompson in (Career Pathways Showcase – Marketing). Silver Medal winner Crystal Wright (in the Practical Nursing category). Fifth Place honor recipient was Octavius Terrell in (Motorcycle Service Technology).
Faculty and staff members Christine Hamilton and Mike Sachs, joined the students at the competition, providing support and guidance throughout the week-long event.
 
SkillsUSA competitions showcase the best career and technical education students in the nation. All competitions are designed, managed and judged with the help of industry and trade associations and labor organizations.  Judging is based upon competencies as set by industry standards.  SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical skill, service occupations and health occupations. The conference hosted 100 competitive events in a variety of occupational skill and leadership areas. The more than 6,200 students who participated in the competitive events are representatives from the 50 USA states and four territories.