CLARKESVILLE, Ga. – North Georgia Technical College recently named its four finalists for the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL). The award honors students for academic and leadership excellence at each of the state’s 22 technical colleges.
NGTC’s finalists are Angie Bartron, an accounting student from Blairsville, nominated by English instructor Dorothy Hansen; Kaitlyn Crosby, a welding and technology student from Mount Airy, nominated by instructor Ronnie Ayers; Paul Hopkins, a precision machining and manufacturing student from Toccoa, nominated by his instructor Derrick Hogan; and Maria Zavala de Orozco, a registered nursing student from Cornelia, nominated by RN instructor Dr. Martha Marquardt.
The four finalists will compete on Jan. 11, 2024, in front of a panel of business, civic, and industry leaders, who will select the college’s 2024 GOAL winner. The NGTC GOAL winner will then represent NGTC at the regional and state competitions.
The finalists were selected from among 20 nominees. Other nominees are Lanise Baer of Macon.; Gerald Barker of Eastanollee; Johnathan Brown of Hartwell; Hannah Carney of Blairsville; Britney Carter of Ellijay; Brian Dickerson of Tiger; Victoria Hartley of Eastanollee; James Hilton of Cleveland; Ashley Logan of Jasper; Ansley McAvoy of Blairsville; Liana Newsum of Cleveland; Renee Petenbrink of Toccoa; Dylan Rice of Cornelia; Diane Rucker of Hartwell; Mykola Thorbecke of Demorest; and Kelley Ward of Martin.
“The 2024 GOAL nominees were an outstanding group of students who all shared their unique perspectives on the importance of technical education,” says NGTC GOAL co-coordinator Rebekah Franklin. “We are tremendously proud of each of these individuals for their hard work and dedication to pursuing excellence in their chosen programs and for stepping outside their comfort zone. We wish them all continued success in their endeavors.”
