SGTC’s Andrew Daniel wins gold medal in national SkillsUSA Aviation Maintenance Technology competition
Atlanta, GA – South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) Aviation Maintenance Technology’s Andrew Daniel of Thomaston, GA; captured the Gold Medal and became the best postsecondary Aviation Maintenance Technology student at the National SkillsUSA competition in Atlanta, GA recently.
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford was on hand at the medal ceremony to congratulate Daniel and his instructor Victoria Herron on their accomplishment. “South Georgia Technical College has a rich aviation history. We believed we were one of the top aviation maintenance schools in the nation, and now Andrew Daniel and his instructors have proved that hypothesis,” said Dr. Watford. “I am thrilled for Andrew and Victoria Herron and his other aviation maintenance instructors. This is a national championship in aviation maintenance for South Georgia Technical College.
SGTC Aviation Maintenance Technology instructors Charles Christmas (l) and Victoria Herron (r) are shown above with SGTC Aviation Maintenance technology student Andrew Daniel (c), the 2024 SkillsUSA National Champion in Aviation Maintenance Technology.
“SkillsUSA is where the best of the best compete. Everyone competing is already a winner but Andrew Daniel has now captured the gold medal and he is the number one aviation maintenance student in the nation. We are extremely proud of him and his instructors.”
The instructors of the gold medal winning national championship student include: Aviation Maintenance’s Lead Instructor Victoria Herron, Charles Christmas, Paul Pearson, David Grant and Robert Sturgeon.
“We could not be prouder of Andrew Daniel and how well he represented the South Georgia Technical College Aviation Maintenance Program,” said SGTC’s Victoria Herron. “Drew (Andrew) is a motivated young man who has great potential. He will be a good addition for any company needing airframe and powerplant mechanics.”
Daniel was chosen to represent South Georgia Technical College and the state of Georgia at the national competition after winning gold at the state-level competition earlier this year. He captured the Georgia Gold medal in 2023 and 2024 to earn the right to compete at the SkillsUSA Nationals in back to back years. He walked away with the top prize in 2024.
Camden Kupres of the Tennessee College of Applied Science in Morristown, TN, was the silver medal winner in the Aviation Maintenance Technology competition and Steven Gautsch of Penn College of Technology in Williamsport, PA was the bronze medal winner in the postsecondary competition.
Daniel and the best of the best from different states around the country were tasked with performing 12 tasks that represent the types of maintenance they will handle in the aviation maintenance industry.
The contest scope is consistent with the airframe and power plant mechanics certification guide, which is published by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and is used as a teaching guide for Aviation Maintenance Technology classes.
Daniel became the second SGTC aviation student to be named a national champion in the past six years. Bailey Mills won the first gold medal for the SGTC Aviation Maintenance Technology Program in 2018.
In addition to Andrew Daniel, SGTC had another student competing at the SkillsUSA National competition. Blake Archer of Palm Harbor, FL; captured the gold medal in the SkillsUSA Georgia Competition and earned the right to compete at the national level in the Precision Machining and Manufacturing competition in Atlanta.
“We are very proud of both of these students,” said South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford. “To be nominated and qualify to represent the college as one of the best from South Georgia Technical College is an honor. To be singled out further with a gold, silver or bronze medal in Georgia and/or the nation is outstanding.”
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA serves middle-school, high-school and college/postsecondary students preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skills service (including health) occupations. Hundreds of students participate in SkillsUSA local, regional and state-wide competitions. Only the first-place winners from each event advance to the national competition.
In addition to the program-specific skills competitions, students are also encouraged to attend leadership building seminars that will help them be better prepared to enter the workforce.
SkillsUSA is another way South Georgia Technical College students prepare for success in the workplace. “The SkillsUSA competition awards validate the hands-on technical education that South Georgia Technical College provides. We are preparing individuals for the workforce. We appreciate the time and effort these students have dedicated to their projects and also the guidance and support provided by the instructors to prepare them for this competition,” said SGTC President Dr. John Watford.
South Georgia Technical College offers students the “Complete College Experience” with on-campus housing and dining, nationally recognized academics, intercollegiate athletics, and student activities. The college is currently registering students for Fall semester. Classes begin August 15th. Registrations will be held July 23 and August 13. Individuals can apply and enroll in over 200 associate degree, diploma, or technical certificate of credit programs.
Contact the SGTC admissions office in Americus at 229-931-2394 or in Crisp County at 229-271-4040 for more information. Students can apply online at www.southgatech.edu.