The Southeast Georgia Skills Challenge, held on November 13, 2024, at the Bulloch County Agricultural Complex in Statesboro, brought together talented high school students from across the region to showcase their skills in construction and technical trades.
Hosted by the Southeast Georgia Workforce Development Alliance in partnership with AGC Georgia and local industry leaders, the event provided a platform for aspiring young professionals to compete in various trades, from cabinetry and masonry to electrical and roofing.
The Blue Devils of Statesboro High School (SHS) stood out this year with remarkable achievements, securing top positions in multiple categories and proving their prowess in technical skills. The Skills Challenge saw fierce competition, but the SHS Construction students rose to the occasion, bringing pride to their school and the Statesboro community.
SHS Blue Devils dominate the field
Congratulations to the SHS Construction team, which secured high ranks across various categories in the competition! Here are the highlights:
- Luke Wallace — 1st place in Cabinetry
- Jackson Lewis — 3rd place in Blueprint Reading
- Henry Lanier — 2nd place in Cabinetry
- Murray DiNello — 2nd place in Electrical
- Kaylen Johnson — 3rd place in Masonry
- Cole Phillips — 2nd place in Plumbing
- Enrique Mendez — 2nd place in Roofing
- Jerry Aguiliar, Blaine Akin, Jack Blackmon, & Nathan Waters — 1st place in TeamWorks Build
These outstanding results underscore the quality of SHS’s CTAE (Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education) programs, particularly in construction, which are shaping students into skilled professionals ready for careers in high-demand fields.
A broader competition among schools
Statesboro High was one of several schools that participated in the 2024 Southeast Georgia Skills Challenge, with competitors hailing from institutions across the region:
- Camden County High School
- East Laurens High School
- Golden Isles College & Career Academy
- Lee County High School
- Liberty College and Career Academy
- Madison County High School
- School of Liberal Studies at Savannah High School
- Screven County High School
- Toombs County High School
- Vidalia High School
- Wayne County High School
- West Laurens High School
- Wheeler County High School
- Woodville-Tompkins High School
These schools came together to compete, learn, and celebrate the importance of skilled trades in today's workforce. The competition aimed to highlight careers in construction and technical trades, giving students a taste of real-world challenges in an engaging, hands-on environment.
Event Highlights and Schedule
The Skills Challenge opened with check-ins and announcements, followed by an orientation where competitors were directed to their contest areas. From 10:00 a.m. to noon, the competition was in full swing, with students showcasing their skills under the watchful eyes of judges, industry professionals, and supportive spectators.
Lunch was served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., allowing participants to refuel and connect with industry mentors. Following a competition recap, the much-anticipated awards presentation took place, recognizing the hard work and achievements of these young tradespeople. The event concluded with a cleanup of the competition areas and an adjournment at 2:00 p.m.
Looking Ahead: Skills Challenge 2025
For students and educators already looking forward to next year, the 2025 Southeast Georgia Skills Challenge is set for November 12, 2025, again at the Bulloch County Agricultural Complex. Next year’s competition will feature a range of categories, allowing students to participate in:
- Blueprint Reading
- Cabinetmaking (in-class project brought to contest for judging)
- Carpentry
- Electrical
- Heavy Equipment Operation
- Masonry
- Plumbing
- Roofing
- TeamWorks (a 4-person team build)
- Welding
- Welding Fabrication (a 3-person team with an in-class project)
These competitions provide students with hands-on experience in technical skills, helping to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world applications.
Opportunities for Sponsorship and Industry Involvement
The Southeast Georgia Skills Challenge is only possible through the support of local businesses and industry leaders. Companies are encouraged to sponsor the event at various levels, from Title Sponsor at $2,500 to Friend Sponsor at $250. Sponsors receive benefits such as logo placement on event materials, banners, and the opportunity to set up exhibitor booths where students can learn about career paths in construction and technical trades.
Additionally, industry representatives can get involved as judges, host exhibit tables, or offer hands-on activities, giving students a closer look at their potential future careers.
For more information, please Jada Taylor at [email protected].
Celebrating Skills that Build Futures
Events like the Southeast Georgia Skills Challenge are crucial in building a skilled workforce and inspiring students to pursue careers in high-demand trades. This year’s Skills Challenge demonstrated the dedication, talent, and potential of students in the Southeast Georgia region, especially the exceptional performance by the Statesboro High School Blue Devils.
Congratulations to all competitors and a special shoutout to the Blue Devils for their stellar performance!
The Statesboro community eagerly anticipates seeing more achievements from these talented students in the future. As they continue to hone their skills, they are laying the foundation for successful careers and contributing to the growth and prosperity of our community.
