GNTC holds reception to celebrate 2018 student success

June 5, 2018

A special reception was held recently at Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) to honor and congratulate students that participated in the SkillsUSA and Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda statewide competitions in 2018 and are eligible to compete at the national level this summer.

The program was held at the Gordon County Campus in Calhoun. William Nichols, GNTC’s EAGLE award winner; Macey Morgan, GNTC’s GOAL award winner; and Shadae Yancey-Warren, the Technical College System of Georgia Foundation’s Alumna of the Year winner, also were recognized during the special celebration.

Nichols and Morgan were both selected as regional finalists for the state EAGLE and state GOAL awards by the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG).

“I really appreciate the students and the faculty that go above and beyond the normal activities of the college,” said Pete McDonald, president of GNTC. “We have been very fortunate in recent years to have both state winners and people competing at the national level.”

Pete McDonald (left), president of GNTC, congratulates Macey Morgan, GNTC’s GOAL Award winner for 2018. Morgan also was named one of nine regional finalists to become the 2018 Student of the Year for the Technical College System of Georgia.
Pete McDonald (left), president of GNTC, congratulates Macey Morgan, GNTC’s GOAL Award winner for 2018. Morgan also was named one of nine regional finalists to become the 2018 Student of the Year for the Technical College System of Georgia.

Georgia Northwestern students competed against other TCSG students at the SkillsUSA statewide competition held in Atlanta, March 22-24. The competition allowed students to take the skills, knowledge, and experience that they have gained in their program of study and apply it to a real-world project based on industry standards.

“SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry partners working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce,” said Heidi Popham, executive vice president of GNTC. “It empowers its members to become world-class leaders and responsible citizens.”

The national SkillsUSA competition will take place, June 25-29, in Louisville, Kentucky.

GNTC students that won gold medals in the state competition and will compete in the national competition are: Brandy LeVan (Prepared Speech); Chris Roberson (Sheet Metal); Jacob Hargrove (Welding); Tristin Bethune (Automotive Service Technology); Taylor Eagle (Residential Systems Installation and Maintenance); Brandon Battles (Industrial Motor Controls); Patricia Escutia (Medical Assisting); Stephen Bottoms, Nathan Rittweger, and Tucker Tumlin (Welding Fabrication); Marvin Pointer, Noah Ranels, Logan Thomas, and George Soto (Teamworks); and Beck Maxwell, Jake Woodall and Derek Walck (Engineering Technology/Design).

Additional silver and bronze Medalists from the statewide SkillsUSA competition include: Bo Dooley (Electrical Construction Wiring), Autumn Tomlinson (Cosmetology), Audrey Andrews (Barbering), Josh Barlow (Medical Terminology), Amanda Teeters (Pin Design), Melvin Mitchell (Job Demonstration – Open), and Kimberly Kelly, Briska Bailey, Savannah Almond, Anthony Dutton and Ariel Crider (Health Knowledge Bowl).

GNTC was also named a Quality Chapter and Silver Chapter of Distinction for the Chapter of Excellence program. Susan Bowman and Missy McLain serve as GNTC’s primary SkillsUSA advisors.

Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda, Inc. (FBLA-PBL) is the largest career student organization in the world. Each year, FBLA-PBL helps over 230,000 members prepare for careers in business. The PBL National Awards program recognizes and rewards excellence in a broad range of business and career-related areas.

Georgia Northwestern students attended the state PBL conference in April and 13 out of 15 students qualified for the national competition this summer.

Phi Beta Lambda students recognized during the reception included: Kelly Cook, Alejandro Cruz, Sprite Dyer, Marvin Tomas Gaspar, Kimberly Glover, Byron Campos Gomez, Jesanyelis Gonzalez, Cynthia Kirk, Allie Long, Carlos Miranda, Maria Nichols, Bradley Ramirez, Thomas Scott and Bryan Tapia.

The primary PBL advisors that meet, assist, and travel with students include: Patty Hart, Mark Upton and Dione Waddington.

There also was a special recognition for GNTC faculty and staff and others that provide mentorship and support to students that participate in SkillsUSA and PBL.

GNTC faculty that mentor students for the SkillsUSA competition include: Grace Beam, Joe Burrage, Scott Carter, Jeremiah Cooper, Donny Holmes, Tracey Mercado, Troy Peco, Michelle Spears-Sevy, Rocky Spurlock, Jennifer Stephenson, Sharon Vaughan, Dwight Watt and Anna Williams.

GNTC faculty that advise and prepare students in their field of study for the Phi Beta Lambda competition include: Leyner Argueta, Graceful Beam, Doug Cooper, Amie Dobbs, Charles Reed and Ron Vick.

Georgia Northwestern Technical College provides quality workforce education to the citizens of Northwest Georgia. Students have the opportunity to earn an associate degree, diploma, or a certificate in business, health, industrial, or public service career paths. This past year, 16,402 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs. With an annual credit enrollment of 7,750 students, GNTC is the largest college in Northwest Georgia. GNTC has an additional enrollment of 8,652 people through adult education, continuing education, business and industry training, and Georgia Quick Start. GNTC is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia and an Equal Opportunity Institution.

# # #