Lanier Technical College Nominates 33 Students for GOAL Award

Lanier Technical College Instructors nominated 33 students for the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) competition, according to Kari Register, coordinator for the College’s GOAL program.

GOAL, a statewide program of the Technical College System of Georgia, honors excellence in academics and leadership among the state’s technical college students. GOAL winners are selected at each of the state’s 22 technical colleges as well as one Board of Regents college with a technical education division.

Chosen for recognition by their instructors are:

Banks County

Loricia King, Cosmetology

Zachary “Storm” Parson, Electrical Utility Technology

Barrow County

Heather Chick, Medical Assisting

Amber Dockery, Early Childhood Education

Fulton County

Maria Gula, Medical Assisting

Jamie Hanley, Practical Nursing

Douglas County

Evie Peterson, Cosmetology

Dawson County

Kora Henry, Early Childhood Education

Kaylin Miller, Dental Hygiene

Forsyth County

Caitlin Chamlee, Medical Assisting

Jaclyn Henline, Surgical Technology

Jennifer Remillard, Health Information Technology

Thomas Crumley, Horticulture

Jessica Huntley, Radiologic Technology

Julie Tobias, Surgical Technology

Kate Thrower, Interiors

Kevin Reed, Motorsport Vehicle Technology

Allison Smith, Interiors

Allison Kendrix, Cosmetology

Gwinnett County

Bria Aguayo, Welding

Valerie Carr, Medical Assisting

Richard English, Computer Information Systems

Hall County

Edgar Arroyo, Accounting

Connie Robinson, Early Childhood Education

Joseph C. Riddle, Accounting

Kristie Stith, Medical Assisting

Corinna Mendieta, Dental Assisting

Melinda Epstein, Medical Assisting

Jackson County

Christopher Barrett, Automotive Collision Repair

Natalie Brooks, Accounting

White County

Stephanie Eskew, Cosmetology

Hannah Kimbrell, Dental Hygiene

Lauren Hockaday, Firefighter/EMSP

“The purpose of the GOAL program is to spotlight the outstanding achievement by students in Georgia’s technical colleges and to emphasize the importance of technical education in today’s global workforce, “said Register.

A screening committee of administrators at Lanier Technical College will review each of the instructor’s nominations then conduct personal interviews with the students. After the nominees have been ranked, four finalists will then be chosen to compete to be the Lanier Technical College’s GOAL winner for 2017.

The four finalists will then take part in another round of interviews and evaluations by a selection committee of representatives from the local business and industry. That panel will consider the students’ qualities like academic achievement, personal character, leadership abilities and enthusiasm for technical education.

The student judged most outstanding will be designated as the college’s GOAL winner and move on to the regional competition. Then three from each of the three regions will make up the nine regional finalists, who will be named in April at the state GOAL conference in Atlanta. The nine regional finalists will then move to the state level and compete for the title of state GOAL winner.

The student who earns the state GOAL winner title is also awarded the important responsibility of traveling the state as the ambassador for the entire technical college system. To make that travel easier, the winner also receives a new car.

Lanier Technical College offers over 40 programs of study in some of the nation's fastest-growing career fields including healthcare, energy, business and industry, and public or private service. More information about Lanier Technical College may be obtained by calling 770.533.7000 or by visiting www.laniertech.edu. Lanier Technical College is a Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia.