Posted by Haley Lacuesta on 2/18/2025 8:00:00 AM
High school students in Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs were recognized by the Board of Education on Feb. 18 for big wins in skilled trade competitions. Across the district, students participating in skilled trade organizations earned top honors in conferences and competitive events, demonstrating their expertise, innovation, and leadership in their respective fields.
From cybersecurity to robotics, agriculture, and marketing, Richmond County CTAE students are making their mark at the state and national levels. Here are a few of our student achievements:
Cyber Patriot Competition for Georgia Silver Tier Teams
Five students in the Cyber Academy of Excellence program received first-place awards during the Cyber Patriot competition in December. The Cyber Patriot Competition is a national youth cybersecurity competition organized by the Air & Space Forces Association. It is designed to inspire students toward careers in cybersecurity and other STEM disciplines.
|
Recipient |
Award |
Sponsor/Teacher |
Program |
Home School |
|
Marcus Bishop |
1st Place Final Round of Cyber Patriot Competition for Georgia Silver Tier Teams |
Matthew Blanco DaTinya Caviness |
Cyber Academy of Excellence |
Cross Creek Comprehensive High School (Cross Creek) |
|
Khriztian Calderon |
1st Place Final Round of Cyber Patriot Competition for Georgia Silver Tier Teams |
Matthew Blanco DaTinya Caviness |
Cyber Academy of Excellence |
Richmond County Career Technical Magnet School (RCTCM) |
|
Betzy De La Cruz |
1st Place Final Round of Cyber Patriot Competition for Georgia Silver Tier Teams |
Matthew Blanco DaTinya Caviness |
Cyber Academy of Excellence |
RCTCM |
|
Krishan Harris |
1st Place Final Round of Cyber Patriot Competition for Georgia Silver Tier Teams |
Matthew Blanco DaTinya Caviness |
Cyber Academy of Excellence |
RCTCM |
|
Bryson Holley |
1st Place Final Round of Cyber Patriot Competition for Georgia Silver Tier Teams |
Matthew Blanco DaTinya Caviness |
Cyber Academy of Excellence |
RCTCM |
SkillsUSA
Eleven Marion E. Barnes Career Center students ranked in various categories during the SkillsUSA region competition. SkillsUSA is a national organization dedicated to empowering students to become world-class workers, leaders, and responsible American citizens. It provides educational programs, events, and competitions that support career and technical education (CTE) in classrooms across the nation.
|
Recipient |
Award |
Sponsor/Teacher |
Program |
Home School |
|
Angel Medina |
3rd Place Welding Fabrication |
Andrie McFadden |
Marion E. Barnes Career Center (Marion Barnes) |
Cross Creek |
|
Johnathon Lovelace |
3rd Place Welding Fabrication |
Andrie McFadden |
Marion Barnes |
Cross Creek |
|
Amir Alphonso |
3rd Place Welding Fabrication |
Andrie McFadden |
Marion Barnes |
Westside Comprehensive High School (Westside) |
|
Maurice Williams |
3rd Place Quiz Bowl |
Angela Hakeem-Wade |
Marion Barnes |
RCTCM |
|
Thomas Birt |
3rd Place Quiz Bowl |
Angela Hakeem-Wade |
Marion Barnes |
RCTCM |
|
Ori Williams |
3rd Place Quiz Bowl |
Angela Hakeem-Wade |
Marion Barnes |
RCTCM |
|
Morgan Cook |
1st Place Cosmetology |
Angela Hakeem-Wade |
Marion Barnes |
Westside |
|
Jada Dent |
1st Place Job Skills Demonstration |
Angela Hakeem-Wade |
Marion Barnes |
Westside |
|
Tabitha Braddix |
3rd Place Quiz Bowl |
Audrey Williams |
Marion Barnes |
RCTCM |
|
Leigh-Ahna Smith |
3rd Place Quiz Bowl |
Audrey Williams |
Marion Barnes |
RCTCM |
|
Alexandra Marshall |
2nd Place Team Works |
Franklin Mars |
Marion Barnes |
RCTCM |
|
Axel Hernandez |
2nd Place Masonry |
Franklin Mars |
Marion Barnes |
TW Josey High School |
|
Braylen Alexander |
3rd Place Carpentry And Complete Core Carpentry, Plumbing, and Masonry Certification |
Monte Ward |
Marion Barnes |
Academy of Richmond County (ARC) |
|
Malichi Adams |
2nd Place Sheet Metal |
Monte Ward |
Marion Barnes |
RCTCM |
|
Easton Bruce |
2nd Place Team Works |
Monte Ward |
Marion Barnes |
RCTCM |
|
Gabrielle Williams |
3rd Place Esthetics |
Patrice Campbell |
|
Glenn Hills Comprehensive High School
|
|
Faith Bray |
3rd Place Cosmetology |
Selina Hamby-Davis |
|
Lucy C. Laney Comprehensive High School (Laney)
|
|
Keilani Bush |
1st Place Esthetics |
Selina Hamby-Davis |
|
Laney |
For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST)
Fifteen students from A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School were recognized for receiving first place “Motivate Awards” in competitions, which recognizes teams that not only demonstrate a cohesive and spirited dynamic but also actively engage in outreach to inspire others about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The students were also runners-up for the “Think Tank Award”. The A.R. Johnson FIRST sponsor is Ashley Exantus. FIRST is a global nonprofit organization that promotes STEM education through hands-on robotics competitions.
|
Recipient |
Award |
|
Kaylee Nguyen |
1st Place Motivate Award AND 2nd Runner-Up Think Award |
|
Vacshaun Murray |
1st Place Motivate Award AND 2nd Runner-Up Think Award |
|
Brae'lin Merrell |
1st Place Motivate Award AND 2nd Runner-Up Think Award |
|
Sheetal Rao |
1st Place Motivate Award AND 2nd Runner-Up Think Award |
|
Cooper Cobb |
1st Place Motivate Award AND 2nd Runner-Up Think Award |
|
Zahra Montgomery |
1st Place Motivate Award AND 2nd Runner-Up Think Award |
|
Priyanka Engineer |
1st Place Motivate Award AND 2nd Runner-Up Think Award |
|
Angelica Nurse |
1st Place Motivate Award AND 2nd Runner-Up Think Award |
|
Aaliyah Valdez |
1st Place Motivate Award AND 2nd Runner-Up Think Award |
|
Olivia Nurse |
1st Place Motivate Award AND 2nd Runner-Up Think Award |
|
Abigail Windley |
1st Place Motivate Award AND 2nd Runner-Up Think Award |
|
Juls Depasucat |
1st Place Motivate Award AND 2nd Runner-Up Think Award |
|
Olwyn Beeman |
1st Place Motivate Award AND 2nd Runner-Up Think Award |
|
Ryan Nguyen |
1st Place Motivate Award AND 2nd Runner-Up Think Award |
|
Jayden Parks |
1st Place Motivate Award AND 2nd Runner-Up Think Award |
Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC)
Four Academy of Richmond County (ARC) students received first place at the JROTC Citadel Bulldog Color Guard and Drill Invitational. Their sponsors are CW3(R) Alvin Jenkins and MSG(R) Michelle Ward. JROTC is a federally sponsored leadership program offered in high schools across the United States. It is designed to develop citizenship, leadership, character, and responsibility in students through military-style instruction while emphasizing community service, academic excellence, and physical fitness.
|
Recipient |
Award |
|
Cadet 2LT Ericka Schnorbus |
1st Place in the Citadel Bulldog Color Guard and Drill Invitational |
|
Cadet CSM Lemorina Likasaka |
1st Place in the Citadel Bulldog Color Guard and Drill Invitational |
|
Cadet PV2 Jacqueline Lezma |
1st Place in the Citadel Bulldog Color Guard and Drill Invitational |
|
Cadet PV2 Hanniesha Nena |
1st Place in the Citadel Bulldog Color Guard and Drill Invitational |
Technology Student Association (TSA)
In addition to FIRST competition wins, A.R. Johnson students showcased their best work at TSA competitions and brought home several first-place wins. Jacqueline Allen is A.R. Johnson's TSA sponsor. TSA is is a national student organization that promotes STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education through competitive events, leadership opportunities, and career exploration.
|
Recipient |
Award |
|
Satoshi Itokazu |
1st Place Heat Event Armada Boat Race |
|
Eustace Merriweather |
1st Place Heat Event Armada Boat Race |
|
Ethyn Pacetti-Taylor |
1st Place Heat Event Armada Boat Race |
|
Andy Mejia-Ramirez |
Statesman Award |
|
Madisyn Dimmick |
Statesman Award |
Distributive Clubs of America
Seven RCSS students attended the Georgia DECA State Career Development Conference (SCDC) from Jan. 30 – Feb. 1 in Atlanta. The Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) is an international organization that prepares high school and college students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. It focuses on leadership development, entrepreneurship, and business skills through academic competitions, networking, and real-world experiences.
|
Recipient |
Award |
Sponsor/Teacher |
Home School |
|
La'Bria Jacobs |
7th Place Sales Project Event |
Chante Luckie & Enendu Adaeze |
T.W. Josey Comprehensive High School (T.W. Josey) |
|
Ke'Aijah Jones |
7th Place Sales Project Event |
Chante Luckie & Enendu Adaeze |
T.W. Josey |
|
La'Kyra Brown |
7th Place Sales Project Event |
Chante Luckie/Enendu Adaeze |
T.W. Josey |
|
Brooklyn Brown |
3rd Place Start-Up Business Plan Event |
Chiquitta Walker |
Westside |
|
Londyn Brown |
3rd Place Start-Up Business Plan Event |
Chiquitta Walker |
Westside |
|
Aisha Brunson |
6th Place Innovation Plan Event |
Shamika Zinnerman |
Cross Creek |
|
Jacklyn Kurtz |
6th Place Innovation Plan Event |
Shamika Zinnerman |
Cross Creek |
Future Farmers of America (FFA)
Six Cross Creek Comprehensive High School students competed in several career and wildlife-related events. FFA is a national student organization that promotes agricultural education, leadership development, and career readiness for students interested in agriculture, agribusiness, and related fields.
|
Recipient |
Award |
|
Christiana Sapp |
3rd Place Area 4 Central Region FFA Employability Skills Career Development Event |
|
Haley Wright |
4th Place- FFA Day at Steed’s Dairy Plant Identification Competition |
|
Tina Sapp |
8th Place Area 4 Wildlife Career Development Event- Deer Management |
|
Destiny Bargeron |
17th Place Area 4 Wildlife Career Development Event- Bird Identification |
|
Cheyenne McGahee |
6th Place Area 4 Wildlife Career Development Event- General Wildlife Identification |
|
Mason Casalino |
4th Place Area 4 Wildlife Career Development Event- Aquatic Identification |
These achievements highlight the impact of CTAE programs in preparing students for success beyond the classroom. By participating in these skilled trade organizations, students gain hands-on experience, build professional networks, and open doors to career opportunities.
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