Four Central Georgia Technical College students enrolled in Health Sciences programs recently brought home gold in the Health Knowledge Bowl at the 2017 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference and Championships.

Taylor Haynes, Bryant Phelps, Alexandra Stephens, and Megan Keene earned the medals at NLSC held at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville on June 22. Also in attendance were, William Purvis and Hollie Koon.  Purvis, gold medalist for the state of Georgia, also competed in the Technical Drafting competition and Koon served as an alternate for Health Knowledge Bowl team.

Students were led by their instructor and SkillsUSA Co-Advisor, Lisa Stephens, clinical coordinator for Radiologic Technology and former competitor, and Postsecondary State President for SkillsUSA. Lead Advisors Jeff Cope, program chair for Drafting and Geographic Information Systems, and Melissa Williams, English instructor, also led the team.

 “As a new instructor and advisor, to end your first year with national champions is amazing,” Stephens said. “To see students with so much potential showcase their knowledge on a national platform proves that central Georgia has some of the best talent in the country.”

The SkillsUSA Championships is considered the largest single day of corporate volunteerism in America and valued at more than $36 million in industry support of donated time, equipment, cash and material.  All contests are operated and judged by industry professionals using industry standards for employment.  More than 1,200 industry judges participated this year.

All winners receive medallions, and frequently receive tools of their trade and/or scholarships to further their careers and education.  The SkillsUSA Championships is for high school and college-level students who are members of SkillsUSA.  More than 6,000 students from every state and two territories competed in 100 contests in technical, skilled, and service occupation, including health occupation this year.