GOAL Student of the Year

About GOAL

In 2026, the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) program, which focuses on excellence in technical education, celebrates its 54th year. During GOAL Week, as declared and named by our Governor, outstanding students attending Georgia’s technical colleges and divisions are recognized for academic excellence and personal achievement. From this outstanding group of students, a panel of judges selects one student, the state GOAL winner, to serve as the statewide Student of the Year and ambassador for technical education in Georgia.

2026 Nomination Information

Instructors: If you know a student who demonstrates excellence, leadership, and dedication, please take a moment
to nominate them for the 2026 OTC GOAL Student of the Year. You can nominate as many as you like!

Deadline: October 20

Nomination form

Congratulations to our 2025 GOAL Winner Rien Perez!

Rien Perez, a first-generation college student in OTC’s Fish & Wildlife
Management program, was named the 2025 GOAL winner for Ogeechee Tech.
Rien’s journey has been marked by resilience, hard work, and determination.
We are proud to share that Rien was named state GOAL First Runner-Up at
the 2025 TCSG Leadership Summit.

2025 - Rien Perez, Fish & Wildlilfe Management - State First Runner-up
2024 - Ashley Ford, Early Childhood Care & Education - Region Competitor
2023 - Justin Clenny, Cybersecurity - Region Finalist
2022 - Ann Hester, Business Technology - Region Finalist
2021 - Miranda Deloach, Culinary Arts - State First Runner-up
2020 - Erica Deaton, Culinary Arts - Region Finalist
2019 - Ruth Atchely, Early Childhood Care & Education - State First Runner-up
2018 - Robert Wood, Information Technology - Region Competitor
2017 - Amanda Merry, Radiologic Technology - Region Finalist
2016 - Melissa Behling, Radiologic Technology - State First Runner-up
2015 - William Humbert, Diagnostic Medical Sonography - State First Runner-up
2014 - Lucas "Luke" Teague, Funeral Service Education - State GOAL Winner
2013 - Stuart Gregory, Networking Specialist/Computer Support Specialist, AAS - State First Runner-up
2012 - Michael Williams, Funeral Service Education - Region Finalist
2011 - Alvie Coes, Funeral Service Education - State GOAL Winner
2010 - Cynthia "Cindy" Simms, Networking Specialist, AAS - Region Finalist
2009 - Amanda "Amy" Roberson, Radiologic Technology - State Finalist
2008 - Molly Bickerton, Radiologic Technology - State GOAL Winner