Showcasing the elite caliber of Georgia technical education, Savannah Technical College (Savannah Tech) students brought home five gold medals from the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) in Atlanta. The impressive medal count tied Savannah Tech as the top-performing postsecondary chapter in the state.

Five Savannah Tech students earned top national honors by securing gold in their respective categories. Joby Taylor won gold in Mobile Electronics, and Ocean Jenkins-Lofton took home gold in the Job Interview competition. Additionally, the team of Jennifer Weatherly, LaRena Phillips, and Meredith Baker secured the gold medal in the American Spirit competition.

The national competition brought together more than 19,000 students, educators, and industry partners from across the country to demonstrate excellence in career and technical education. Savannah Tech’s five-medal victory contributed significantly to the Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) overall success of 36 postsecondary medals, helping elevate Georgia to the sixth-highest medal-winning state in the nation.

Beyond the competition floor, Savannah Tech’s leadership was prominently featured on the national stage. Savannah Tech student Corina Stewart served as the SkillsUSA National College/ Postsecondary Secretary, one of the organization’s highest student leadership positions. In this highly visible role, Stewart helped facilitate conference activities and ceremonies before the audience of over 19,000 attendees, demonstrating how Savannah Tech students are prepared to lead in their industries.

“Georgia’s SkillsUSA competitors continue to demonstrate the talent, determination, and technical expertise that define the strength of our workforce,” said TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier. “These students have proven themselves among the best in the nation, and their success reflects the outstanding instruction, industry partnerships, and workforce-focused education taking place every day across our 22 technical colleges.”

“To see our students tie for the most medals in the state and represent us in national leadership roles is outstanding,” said Savannah Tech President Dr. Ryan W. Foley. “They are proving to the entire country that Savannah Technical College students are ready to step up, lead, and command their careers.”

SkillsUSA is a national partnership of students, teachers, and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. The organization serves more than 400,000 members annually and is recognized as one of the nation’s premier career and technical student organizations.