Edward Rella of Tifton won the national top prize in Technical Drafting at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta, which culminated on June 23. In addition to the gold medal, Rella also earned the SkillsUSA Skill-Point Certificate for Technical Drafting. Skill Point Certificates are awarded only to SkillsUSA member students who reach or exceed a threshold score in a national championships contest. “Competing at nationals was such an honor,” said Rella. “The competition was tough as nails and tested my capabilities in all aspects of Technical Drafting.”
Rella, who completed his Drafting degree during the 2023 spring semester, has now completed two programs at Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC). He first graduated from the welding program in 2019. In 2022, Rella returned to complete his Associate of Applied Science degree in Drafting Technology. Rella has been a standout student at SRTC since he first enrolled. He was an SRTC Foundation scholarship recipient, he repeatedly earned spots on the President’s and Dean’s list for academic excellence, he was a member of the National Technical Honor Society, and he is now a two-time honor graduate.
“Edward has a deceivingly laid-back personality, said his Drafting instructor Tammy Roberts. “Quiet, but always learning and curious about how to do something new or interesting with his knowledge and skills. He likes to push the capabilities of the CAD software. He's been an amazing mentor for students in both programs. Edward has a passion for SkillsUSA. He has been a hands-on student since day one. He loves helping with career fairs and school visits to promote SRTC's programs. Edward has always been eager to learn. He has a bright future ahead of him. We are very proud of him and his accomplishments.”
In addition to his Drafting coursework at SRTC, Rella has gained tremendous practical experience as a draftsman for his employer, Atlas Greenhouse in Alapaha, GA. There, he focuses on structural design, generating technical manuals, and creating unique drawings to meet their customers’ distinct needs. One of his drawings recently became an educator greenhouse for Fitzgerald High School. “It is especially inspiring to see the projects that I have worked on becoming real life buildings,” he said. “Being there and seeing the final product was breathtaking in a way because I remember drawing it for them, solving problems, making it perfect on paper. Then I visited it in person, and it was just like I drew it!” Edward and his wife Bailey reside in Tifton, GA with their four Dachshunds Jax, Teddy, Jane, and Tiny.
SkillsUSA is a national non-profit organization of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps high school and college students enrolled in career and technical education programs to excel by teaching employability skills such as communication, problem-solving, and leadership in conjunction with their trade, technical, and service occupations skills.
SRTC offers over 150 degree, diploma, and certificate programs that are designed to get you quickly into your desired career, and 28 general education courses that transfer to the University System of Georgia institutions and 19 private colleges and universities in Georgia. SRTC has instructional sites located in eleven counties across Southwest Georgia for the convenience of our students. The College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). SACSCOC is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. For the most up-to-date information on registration, class dates, and program offerings, log on to www.southernregional.edu or call (888) 205 – 3449.
Fall semester begins August 15. Don’t wait, enroll today!