Deitra “Didi” Gray of Toccoa has been named North Georgia Technical College’s 2020 Georgia Occupational Award for Leadership student. Gray received the honor during the Habersham County Rotary Club meeting on Jan. 30.
Gray is an early childhood education student from the Currahee campus in Stephens County. She was nominated for the award by her instructor Angie Minish.
GOAL candidates are nominated by their instructors and must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. They must also demonstrate strong work ethics and leadership skills.
The statewide award program of the Technical College System of Georgia was started at NGTC in the early ’70s by then-president James Marlowe. The program continues to honor excellence in academics and leadership among the state’s technical college students.
Local GOAL winners are selected at each of the state’s 22 technical colleges.
Rounding out the top four finalists this year for NGTC were: Grace Jeffers, an engineering technology student from Baldwin; Kassidy Wood, a business technology student from Mt. Airy; and Angel Gaddis, a criminal justice student from Baldwin.
“Congratulations to each of these deserving students,” said NGTC President Dr. Mark Ivester. “We are so proud of the determination and hard work shown by these students. Their stories of perseverance and overcoming tough obstacles in life to make a better future for themselves with an education are always inspiring, and I am so very proud of each student. They are truly all winners.”
Each year the Habersham County Chamber of Commerce, White County Chamber of Commerce and Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce show their support with monetary awards to the finalists and their nominating instructors.
Gray will now advance to represent NGTC at the region level.
