Sophia Lewis, a student at Ogeechee Technical College in Statesboro, earned national recognition at the 2025 SkillsUSA Championships, taking home the bronze medal in Esthetics during the two-day event held June 25–26 in Atlanta.
Lewis won for her “Siren” design, created for the event’s “Under the Sea” theme. Georgia Ledford served as the model for the winning look.
Several OTC advisors also played key roles in the national event. DJ Albright and Mia Drew served on the National Education Committee for Esthetics, while Paula Clifton was Co-Chair for the Early Childhood competition.
Television personality Mike Rowe of "Dirty Jobs" fame delivered the keynote address to more than 18,000 attendees, emphasizing the importance of skilled trades and technical education.
Georgia's post-secondary team finished strong at the national level, earning 11 Bronze, 15 Silver, and 11 Gold medals. The state ranked ninth in the nation overall.
OTC celebrates the dedication and talent of its students and faculty who continue to represent the college with excellence on a national stage.
Lewis competed among more than 6,500 career and technical education students from across the country in what is considered the world’s largest skill competition. Hosted as part of the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, the Championships covered over 1.79 million square feet—an area equivalent to 31 football fields—and featured 114 hands-on contests, ranging from robotics and criminal justice to aviation maintenance and public speaking.
First-place winners at the state level were invited to showcase their technical, workplace, and personal skills under the scrutiny of more than 1,200 judges from 850 leading businesses, trade associations, and unions. Lewis’s outstanding performance earned her not only a national medal but also a Skill Point Certificate, signifying workplace readiness and industry-level proficiency in her field.
“More than 6,500 students from every state in the nation participated in the 2025 SkillsUSA Championships,” said SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis. “This showcase of career and technical education demonstrates SkillsUSA at its finest. Our students, instructors and industry partners work together to ensure that every student excels.”
Lewis was among the 1,250 students honored with gold, silver, or bronze medals during the awards session held June 27. Many winners also received prizes, scholarships, or tools related to their trade.
SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization that empowers students in middle school, high school, and college/postsecondary programs to become skilled professionals and career-ready leaders. Representing over 442,000 members nationwide, SkillsUSA plays a vital role in addressing the growing skills gap in today’s workforce.