GOAL Student of the Year

Congratulations to our 2027 GOAL nominees!

Aidan Thurman - Fish & Wildlife Management
Autumn Claxton - Blount - Automotive Technology
Aviel Jones - Logistics Management
Brandon Parker - Cybersecurity
Carrington Moon - Culinary Arts
Dakota Fenn - Fish & Wildlife Management
Imani Harmon - Culinary Arts
Jamie Pearson - Nursing, ASN
Jenna Laub - Echocardiography
Katherine "Katie" Santangelo - Interdisciplinary Stds.
Leah Davis - Fish & Wildlife Mgmt.
Nadine Rivera - Eearly Childhood Care & Education
Tevin Valentine - Fish & Wildlife Management

About GOAL

In 2027, the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) program will celebrate its 55th year of recognizing student excellence in technical education. Each of the 22 colleges in the Technical College System of Georgia participates by nominating students who exemplify leadership, academic achievement, and community involvement. Nominees first compete in a series of interviews within their college to determine a school winner. These finalists then advance to regional and state competitions, where the overall state GOAL winner is selected to serve as Georgia’s Student of the Year and ambassador for technical education.

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2026 GOAL Winner
Caroline Graham

State Runner-Up

2024 GOAL Winner
Ashley Ford

2026 - Caroline Graham, Nursing - State Finalist
2025 - Rien Perez, Fish & Wildlife 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