Augusta Technical College students delivered an outstanding performance at the 2026 SkillsUSA Georgia Postsecondary State Leadership and Skills Conference, bringing home multiple medals and achieving historic first-place wins for the institution.

The Augusta Tech SkillsUSA team earned a total of 15 medals, including:

Gold – 1st Place
• Advertising Design – Jay Keller
• Aviation Maintenance Technology – Hayden Shaw
• Culinary Arts – Casandra Garcia
• Video Production (Team D) – Justin Eli Sikes & Brentson Judon
• Graphic Imaging Sublimation – Angela Wilson

Silver – 2nd Place
• Advertising Design – Joshua Roberts
• Aviation Maintenance Technology – Ethan Pine

Bronze – 3rd Place
• Advertising Design – Brecklyn Hancock
• Digital Cinema Production (Team A) – Adrian Rosa & Anthony Johnson
• Job Skill Demo Open – Mackenzie Daniels
• Job Skill Demo A – Leah Miller
• Restaurant Service – William Harris
• T-Shirt Design – Breland Winfield

“I’m so very proud of this year’s SkillsUSA team. They got on the bus, they stepped up and showed out. In today’s world with the skills gap looming, we need MORE prepared young employees like these," stated Sherrie Rowe, DMPT Department Head and Lead SkillsUSA Advisor.

Augusta Technical College won five competitive events overall. The 2026 competition marked a historic milestone for the institution, with its first-ever gold medal wins in both Aviation Maintenance Technology and Culinary Arts.

The Aviation Maintenance Technology Department earned two medals, while the Culinary Arts Department secured four medals. The Digital Media and Production Technology (DMPT) Department led the medal count with nine total honors.

“These results reflect the exceptional talent of our students and the dedication of our faculty who prepare them for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and ultimately in the workforce,” said College President Dr. Kendricks Hooker. “We are incredibly proud of our Cougars and the way they represent Augusta Technical College on a statewide stage.”

Gold medal winners will advance to represent Georgia at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in June.

SkillsUSA is America's proud champion of the skilled trades. It's a student-led partnership of education and industry that's building the skilled workforce our nation depends on with graduates who are career ready, day one. Representing more than 400,000 career and technical education students and teachers, SkillsUSA chapters thrive in middle schools, high schools, and college/postsecondary institutions nationwide. SkillsUSA's mission empowers students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders, and responsible community members.