Fannin County High School students are bringing a SkillsUSA Georgia State Championship home to North Georgia.
Students Dakoda Moore, Mason Ramsey, James Taylor, and Chris Correa earned 1st Place in the Teamworks competition at the 2026 SkillsUSA Georgia State Leadership & Skills Conference, officially naming them Georgia State Champions in one of the most competitive skilled trades categories.
What Is the SkillsUSA Teamworks Competition?
The SkillsUSA Teamworks competition challenges high school students enrolled in construction and Career and Technical Education (CTAE) programs to complete a hands-on building project under real-world conditions.
Teams are evaluated on:
- Carpentry and construction skills
- Blueprint reading and layout
- Job site safety standards
- Precision and craftsmanship
- Communication and teamwork under time constraints
Competing against top skilled trades students from across Georgia, the Fannin County High School team demonstrated exceptional coordination, technical ability, and professionalism.
According to Mr. Terry Flowers, welding instructor and SkillsUSA advisor at FCHS, their teamwork is what truly set them apart.
“The boys worked hard and did an outstanding job, but I think what really made them stand out was their ability to work as a team and the pride they showed with a job well done.”
That combination of technical skill, collaboration, and pride in craftsmanship earned them the top spot at the state level.
Headed to SkillsUSA Nationals in Atlanta
Because of their first-place finish at the SkillsUSA Georgia State Championship, the team has qualified for the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, which will take place in Atlanta this June.
At Nationals, they will compete against the best high school skilled trades students from across the country, representing Fannin County, North Georgia, and the State of Georgia on a national stage.
Investing in the Future of Skilled Trades in North Georgia
The success of these students highlights the strength of construction education and workforce development programs in North Georgia. Programs like SkillsUSA provide students with hands-on experience, industry exposure, and competitive opportunities that prepare them for careers in carpentry, construction, welding, and other high-demand skilled trades.
The Blue Ridge Mountains Parade of Homes is proud to sponsor and support the FCHS SkillsUSA chapter as part of our ongoing commitment through The Future of Our Trades Scholarship Foundation. Through community partnerships, scholarships, and advocacy for career and technical education, we are investing in the next generation of skilled professionals.
We congratulate Dakoda, Mason, James, and Chris on becoming SkillsUSA Georgia State Champions and look forward to cheering them on as they compete at Nationals.
The future of the skilled trades in Georgia is in capable hands.
