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GNTC Names 2023 GOAL, Rick Perkins Award Winners

GNTC Names 2023 GOAL, Rick Perkins Award Winners

Cayla Pemberton, an Automotive Technology student from Walker County, was named Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s 2023 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner, and Salvador Gonzalez, program director and instructor of Diesel Equipment Technology, has been named the college’s 2023 Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year. 
 
The winners were named during the Seven Hills Rotary Club meeting on Tuesday at the Courtyard by Marriott in Rome. The awards were sponsored and presented by the Rome Floyd Chamber, the Seven Hills Rotary Club of Rome and the GNTC Student Leadership Council.
 
Holly Hogan, a resident of Ringgold, was recognized during the banquet; Ms. Hogan received GNTC’s 2023 EAGLE (Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education) Award in October for superior achievement in Adult Education classes and programs.
 
“EAGLE is the first statewide program in the nation that recognizes and rewards excellence among students enrolled in our Adult Education programs,” said Dr. Heidi Popham, GNTC president.
 
Karen Craven, lead teacher and site manager for Adult Education in Floyd County, was also recognized as GNTC’s Adult Education Teacher of the Year for 2023.
 
Pemberton, GNTC’s GOAL winner, is a Dual Enrollment student at Ridgeland High School and attends classes on GNTC’s Walker County Campus in Rock Spring. She was nominated by Troy Peco, assistant dean of Industrial Technologies and program director and instructor of Automotive Technology at GNTC.
 
“Cayla has always risen to the occasion and has taken the leadership role on group assignments with other students,” Mr. Peco said. “Her teamwork helps ensure that her groups will always excel at their task. She even leads study sessions to help her fellow students succeed.”
 
Mr. Peco praised her work ethic. In addition to attending high school and college classes, Ms. Pemberton participates in her high school’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) program and events and works part-time on the weekends, he said. 
 
He noted that she is a confident female seeking an education in a predominantly male field.
 
Ms. Pemberton said she has wanted to work on cars since an early age, but her “passion for cars was ignited” when she purchased a derelict 1967 Ford Bronco. 
 
“I became hungry to learn everything I could about how it worked and how I could turn this neglected, beat-up truck into everything I envisioned it to be,” she said, adding that at that time she had not considered college because she could not afford it. She had no future plans after high school.
 
“One day the Dual Enrollment coordinator came into my class and talked to me about this incredible opportunity to take classes at GNTC with little-to-no cost for me,” Ms. Pemberton said. 
 
“With my future in mind, I knew this was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up, so the next day I marched right into my high school counselor’s office and got the list of requirements to begin the process, and I began my path to success,” she said, characterizing GNTC as a “blessing” to her. 
 
She said she has learned not only automotive skills, but also soft skills, such as patience, persistence and motivation to continue working towards her goals every day, she said.
 
“The ‘beauty’ of the Technical College System of Georgia is it’s accessible, allowing even those who may have given up on the idea of going to college to not feel held back from the opportunities awaiting,” she said. “It is a flexible and more affordable alternative to a four-year college for students like me who have a desire for learning and want to get prepared to join the workforce.”
 
When she graduates in May, she will have her high school diploma, as well as multiple college technical certificates.
 
As the 2023 GOAL winner for GNTC, Ms. Pemberton will move to the regional competition. If chosen as a regional winner, she will compete at the state level against winners from the other regions of Georgia. 
 
A panel of leaders from business, industry and government will choose the Technical College System of Georgia’s GOAL winner for 2023 and recipient of the GOAL medallion. The 2023 Student of the Year and state GOAL winner will serve as TCSG’s student ambassador during a number of system and college functions throughout the year.
 
Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia will award a new automobile as the grand prize to the state GOAL winner. 
 
The Rick Perkins Award honors the TCSG’s most outstanding instructors. The award has been an ongoing statewide event since 1991 and recognizes technical college instructors who make significant contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership in their fields.
 
Mr. Gonzalez, a Dalton resident, established the Diesel Equipment Technology program on GNTC’s Whitfield Murray Campus, designed its curriculum and secured support from several area transportation-related businesses, including Freightliner Trucks, U.S. Xpress Enterprises Inc., Penske Automotive, Shaw Industries Group Inc. and Ford of Dalton. This support has included money, tools and diesel equipment, which students take apart and rebuild in the classroom. 
 
The Leadership Dalton-Whitfield 2022 class donated $2,460 to outfit 12 GNTC Diesel program students with mechanic tool kits they need to jumpstart their careers after Mr. Gonzalez suggested the donation as a way the Leadership class could support GNTC and its students.
 
Mr. Gonzalez, the son of two immigrants who both have only a sixth-grade education, recalled that his life changed on the last day of eighth grade. “‘You are a good kid, Sal, and you have a lot of potential,’” his teacher said. “Those words and that hug changed me. I started working hard in school and became a good student.”
 
As a high school sophomore, he “fell in love with working on cars” after he started working with his uncle in an auto repair shop. His uncle and his high school automotive class teacher told him they learned to work on cars at a technical college. 
 
He got a job changing oil and performing basic maintenance at a car dealership after high school, but he could not advance in the shop because he lacked the necessary training, he said. 
 
He was discouraged that he did not qualify for financial aid to attend technical college; however, his father convinced him to pursue his education and worked odd jobs to help him attend technical college.
 
He earned a diploma in auto-diesel technology with high performance engines from Lincoln Tech in 2010. 
 
“All of this was possible through hard work and a technical education,” he said. “I am the son of two dreamers who gave me the resources needed to be successful in life. I hope my students and my children see me as an example to go after their dreams and to never give up.”
 
Prior to starting at GNTC in 2019, Mr. Gonzalez was technician/team lead at Brooker Ford Lincoln Mercury (now known as Ford of Dalton) from 2007-18 and apprentice technician at Red Star Automotive in Conyers from 2005-16.
 
His community service activities include mentoring students while he was in college, serving warm meals during Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays at Providence Ministries, Spanish to English translating during the Christmas toy giveaway at Providence Ministries, volunteering as a softball and T-ball coach and donating to GNTC’s Foundation, which supports areas of institutional need including student scholarships, equipment purchases, library materials purchases and staff development.
 
He will represent the college as GNTC’s 2023 Rick Perkins winner and move on to the regional competition, vying for the opportunity to compete at the state level in the competition. 
 
A panel of leaders from business, industry and government will choose one instructor to be TCSG’s 2023 Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year. The winner will receive a $2,500 cash prize. 
 
The Rick Perkins Award winner serves as an ambassador for technical education in Georgia and will make many public appearances throughout the year, including addressing both chambers of the Georgia General Assembly. 
 
The most recent state winners to represent GNTC were 2019 Rick Perkins Award winner Leyner Argueta, program director of Business Management, and Peco, the 2013 Rick Perkins Award winner.

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Cayla Pemberton, an Automotive Technologies scholar from Walker County, was named Ga Northwestern Technological College’s 2023 Ga Occupational Award of Management (Purpose) winner, and Salvador Gonzalez, software director and teacher of Diesel Products Technological innovation, has been named the college’s 2023 Rick Perkins Teacher of the Yr. &#13
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The winners were being named for the duration of the 7 Hills Rotary Club assembly on Tuesday at the Courtyard by Marriott in Rome. The awards have been sponsored and offered by the Rome Floyd Chamber, the Seven Hills Rotary Club of Rome and the GNTC College student Management Council.&#13
&#13
Holly Hogan, a resident of Ringgold, was regarded throughout the banquet Ms. Hogan acquired GNTC’s 2023 EAGLE (Outstanding Grownup Georgian in Literacy Training) Award in Oct for excellent achievement in Adult Education courses and courses.&#13
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“EAGLE is the initial statewide application in the country that recognizes and benefits excellence amongst pupils enrolled in our Grownup Training courses,” explained Dr. Heidi Popham, GNTC president.&#13
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Karen Craven, direct instructor and website supervisor for Grownup Education in Floyd County, was also regarded as GNTC’s Grownup Education and learning Trainer of the 12 months for 2023.&#13
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Pemberton, GNTC’s Target winner, is a Twin Enrollment college student at Ridgeland Substantial College and attends courses on GNTC’s Walker County Campus in Rock Spring. She was nominated by Troy Peco, assistant dean of Industrial Technologies and program director and instructor of Automotive Technologies at GNTC.&#13
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“Cayla has often risen to the event and has taken the management function on team assignments with other college students,” Mr. Peco reported. “Her teamwork helps make sure that her teams will generally excel at their endeavor. She even qualified prospects examine sessions to help her fellow college students triumph.”&#13
&#13
Mr. Peco praised her work ethic. In addition to attending higher university and college or university lessons, Ms. Pemberton participates in her significant school’s Long run Farmers of The us (FFA) software and situations and performs component-time on the weekends, he claimed. &#13
&#13
He pointed out that she is a assured woman in search of an education and learning in a predominantly male discipline.&#13
&#13
Ms. Pemberton reported she has preferred to get the job done on cars considering the fact that an early age, but her “passion for vehicles was ignited” when she bought a derelict 1967 Ford Bronco. &#13
&#13
“I grew to become hungry to discover every little thing I could about how it labored and how I could change this neglected, defeat-up truck into every little thing I envisioned it to be,” she reported, including that at that time she had not thought of university due to the fact she could not manage it. She had no long run options immediately after substantial faculty.&#13
&#13
“One day the Twin Enrollment coordinator came into my class and talked to me about this extraordinary prospect to just take courses at GNTC with minor-to-no price for me,” Ms. Pemberton mentioned. &#13
&#13
“With my long run in head, I knew this was an option that I could not go up, so the subsequent working day I marched appropriate into my substantial university counselor’s office and got the list of demands to start out the method, and I started my route to achievements,” she said, characterizing GNTC as a “blessing” to her. &#13
&#13
She mentioned she has discovered not only automotive skills, but also soft competencies, these kinds of as endurance, persistence and commitment to carry on doing work in direction of her plans just about every day, she claimed.&#13
&#13
“The ‘beauty’ of the Technological School Process of Georgia is it is obtainable, letting even these who may well have offered up on the notion of heading to college to not truly feel held back from the possibilities awaiting,” she said. “It is a versatile and a lot more economical substitute to a 4-year university for learners like me who have a desire for understanding and want to get organized to sign up for the workforce.”&#13
&#13
When she graduates in Might, she will have her large faculty diploma, as nicely as numerous school technological certificates.&#13
&#13
As the 2023 Target winner for GNTC, Ms. Pemberton will go to the regional competition. If picked out as a regional winner, she will contend at the state amount from winners from the other regions of Ga. &#13
&#13
A panel of leaders from enterprise, sector and governing administration will pick the Complex School System of Georgia’s Aim winner for 2023 and receiver of the Aim medallion. The 2023 Scholar of the Year and point out Target winner will provide as TCSG’s university student ambassador throughout a range of procedure and faculty capabilities through the yr.&#13
&#13
Kia Motors Producing Ga will award a new auto as the grand prize to the state Target winner. &#13
&#13
The Rick Perkins Award honors the TCSG’s most fantastic instructors. The award has been an ongoing statewide celebration given that 1991 and recognizes technical college instructors who make sizeable contributions to technological education by way of innovation and management in their fields.&#13
&#13
Mr. Gonzalez, a Dalton resident, established the Diesel Products Technological know-how program on GNTC’s Whitfield Murray Campus, created its curriculum and secured guidance from various region transportation-associated businesses, including Freightliner Vans, U.S. Xpress Enterprises Inc., Penske Automotive, Shaw Industries Team Inc. and Ford of Dalton. This support has provided cash, applications and diesel machines, which pupils consider aside and rebuild in the classroom. &#13
&#13
The Management Dalton-Whitfield 2022 course donated $2,460 to outfit 12 GNTC Diesel system pupils with mechanic instrument kits they need to have to jumpstart their professions immediately after Mr. Gonzalez proposed the donation as a way the Management course could support GNTC and its students.&#13
&#13
Mr. Gonzalez, the son of two immigrants who both have only a sixth-grade training, recalled that his lifestyle changed on the previous working day of eighth quality. “‘You are a fantastic child, Sal, and you have a lot of potential,’” his teacher explained. “Those text and that hug modified me. I started off functioning difficult in college and grew to become a very good scholar.”&#13
&#13
As a high faculty sophomore, he “fell in appreciate with working on cars” following he commenced performing with his uncle in an auto repair service shop. His uncle and his high college automotive class teacher explained to him they realized to operate on vehicles at a specialized college or university. &#13
&#13
He obtained a occupation changing oil and performing primary routine maintenance at a automobile dealership soon after superior faculty, but he could not advance in the store since he lacked the vital schooling, he said. &#13
&#13
He was discouraged that he did not qualify for fiscal assist to go to specialized college nonetheless, his father confident him to go after his education and learning and labored odd work to enable him go to technological college.&#13
&#13
He acquired a diploma in car-diesel technology with higher effectiveness engines from Lincoln Tech in 2010. &#13
&#13
“All of this was probable by way of hard do the job and a technological education,” he claimed. “I am the son of two dreamers who gave me the methods wanted to be thriving in lifetime. I hope my students and my little ones see me as an illustration to go following their desires and to hardly ever give up.”&#13
&#13
Prior to commencing at GNTC in 2019, Mr. Gonzalez was technician/workforce lead at Brooker Ford Lincoln Mercury (now identified as Ford of Dalton) from 2007-18 and apprentice technician at Red Star Automotive in Conyers from 2005-16.&#13
&#13
His group services pursuits include mentoring pupils while he was in college, serving heat meals throughout Thanksgiving and Xmas vacations at Providence Ministries, Spanish to English translating for the duration of the Xmas toy giveaway at Providence Ministries, volunteering as a softball and T-ball coach and donating to GNTC’s Basis, which supports areas of institutional want which includes university student scholarships, equipment purchases, library supplies buys and personnel progress.&#13
&#13
He will signify the college or university as GNTC’s 2023 Rick Perkins winner and move on to the regional levels of competition, vying for the chance to compete at the state amount in the levels of competition. &#13
&#13
A panel of leaders from business, market and govt will select one teacher to be TCSG’s 2023 Rick Perkins Instructor of the Yr. The winner will obtain a $2,500 hard cash prize. &#13
&#13
The Rick Perkins Award winner serves as an ambassador for technological education and learning in Ga and will make many community appearances throughout the calendar year, such as addressing both of those chambers of the Georgia Standard Assembly. &#13
&#13
The most the latest point out winners to characterize GNTC were 2019 Rick Perkins Award winner Leyner Argueta, method director of Small business Management, and Peco, the 2013 Rick Perkins Award winner.
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Cayla Pemberton, an Automotive Technological innovation pupil from Walker County, was named Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s 2023 Ga Occupational Award of Management (Goal) winner, and Salvador Gonzalez, method director and teacher of Diesel Equipment Technological innovation, has been named the college’s 2023 Rick Perkins Teacher of the 12 months. 

 

The winners were being named in the course of the Seven Hills Rotary Club meeting on Tuesday at the Courtyard by Marriott in Rome. The awards had been sponsored and offered by the Rome Floyd Chamber, the 7 Hills Rotary Club of Rome and the GNTC Student Management Council.

 

Holly Hogan, a resident of Ringgold, was identified in the course of the banquet Ms.

Hogan been given GNTC’s 2023 EAGLE (Extraordinary Grownup Georgian in Literacy Schooling) Award in Oct for excellent accomplishment in Grownup Instruction classes and applications.

 

“EAGLE is the very first statewide method in the country that acknowledges and rewards excellence among the pupils enrolled in our Adult Instruction courses,” reported Dr. Heidi Popham, GNTC president.

 

Karen Craven, guide instructor and web-site supervisor for Grownup Schooling in Floyd County, was also acknowledged as GNTC’s Adult Instruction Trainer of the 12 months for 2023.

 

Pemberton, GNTC’s Intention winner, is a Dual Enrollment scholar at Ridgeland Significant School and attends classes on GNTC’s Walker County Campus in Rock Spring. She was nominated by Troy Peco, assistant dean of Industrial Technologies and method director and instructor of Automotive Technologies at GNTC.

 

“Cayla has normally risen to the celebration and has taken the leadership position on group assignments with other students,” Mr. Peco mentioned. “Her teamwork allows make sure that her teams will constantly excel at their endeavor. She even potential customers study periods to help her fellow college students thrive.”

 

Mr. Peco praised her perform ethic. In addition to attending substantial school and university classes, Ms. Pemberton participates in her superior school’s Upcoming Farmers of The us (FFA) program and situations and works portion-time on the weekends, he claimed. 

 

He famous that she is a confident female trying to find an schooling in a predominantly male field.

 

Ms. Pemberton reported she has desired to perform on vehicles considering that an early age, but her “passion for cars and trucks was ignited” when she acquired a derelict 1967 Ford Bronco. 

 

“I turned hungry to study all the things I could about how it labored and how I could turn this neglected, beat-up truck into almost everything I envisioned it to be,” she reported, incorporating that at that time she had not considered college because she could not afford it. She had no long run options soon after large school.

 

“One day the Dual Enrollment coordinator arrived into my class and talked to me about this incredible possibility to take courses at GNTC with minor-to-no expense for me,” Ms. Pemberton claimed. 

 

“With my potential in brain, I knew this was an option that I couldn’t pass up, so the next working day I marched correct into my higher university counselor’s office and received the list of prerequisites to commence the procedure, and I began my path to achievement,” she said, characterizing GNTC as a “blessing” to her. 

 

She explained she has figured out not only automotive capabilities, but also tender competencies, these as endurance, persistence and enthusiasm to proceed operating in direction of her ambitions just about every working day, she said.

 

“The ‘beauty’ of the Specialized Faculty System of Ga is it is obtainable, permitting even these who might have presented up on the thought of heading to university to not feel held again from the prospects awaiting,” she explained. “It is a versatile and a lot more cost-effective option to a 4-yr higher education for students like me who have a need for learning and want to get well prepared to join the workforce.”

 

When she graduates in May, she will have her substantial school diploma, as perfectly as several higher education complex certificates.

 

As the 2023 Purpose winner for GNTC, Ms. Pemberton will go to the regional competitors. If selected as a regional winner, she will contend at the condition level from winners from the other locations of Ga. 

 

A panel of leaders from organization, industry and authorities will choose the Complex College Process of Georgia’s Purpose winner for 2023 and receiver of the Objective medallion. The 2023 College student of the 12 months and point out Purpose winner will serve as TCSG’s pupil ambassador during a number of program and faculty functions in the course of the yr.

 

Kia Motors Producing Ga will award a new vehicle as the grand prize to the state Objective winner. 

 

The Rick Perkins Award honors the TCSG’s most excellent instructors. The award has been an ongoing statewide function because 1991 and recognizes complex college instructors who make major contributions to complex education by means of innovation and leadership in their fields.

 

Mr. Gonzalez, a Dalton resident, set up the Diesel Gear Technologies program on GNTC’s Whitfield Murray Campus, built its curriculum and secured support from various spot transportation-similar firms, such as Freightliner Trucks, U.S. Xpress Enterprises Inc., Penske Automotive, Shaw Industries Group Inc. and Ford of Dalton. This aid has incorporated cash, tools and diesel gear, which students consider aside and rebuild in the classroom. 

 

The Leadership Dalton-Whitfield 2022 class donated $2,460 to outfit 12 GNTC Diesel plan students with mechanic resource kits they will need to jumpstart their occupations after Mr. Gonzalez instructed the donation as a way the Management course could help GNTC and its students.

 

Mr. Gonzalez, the son of two immigrants who both equally have only a sixth-grade training, recalled that his existence changed on the previous day of eighth quality. “‘You are a very good child, Sal, and you have a whole lot of prospective,’” his instructor stated. “Those words and phrases and that hug transformed me. I begun doing work tricky in college and became a superior scholar.”

 

As a superior university sophomore, he “fell in appreciate with operating on cars” soon after he begun working with his uncle in an automobile repair service shop. His uncle and his higher university automotive course teacher advised him they uncovered to function on autos at a technological college or university. 

 

He obtained a occupation modifying oil and carrying out standard maintenance at a car or truck dealership right after substantial university, but he could not progress in the shop mainly because he lacked the vital training, he explained. 

 

He was discouraged that he did not qualify for fiscal aid to go to technical school nonetheless, his father persuaded him to go after his education and learning and worked odd work to enable him go to technical school.

 

He gained a diploma in vehicle-diesel technological know-how with significant performance engines from Lincoln Tech in 2010. 

 

“All of this was doable via really hard perform and a specialized instruction,” he explained. “I am the son of two dreamers who gave me the methods necessary to be effective in lifestyle. I hope my students and my young children see me as an case in point to go right after their desires and to under no circumstances give up.”

 

Prior to starting up at GNTC in 2019, Mr. Gonzalez was technician/workforce direct at Brooker Ford Lincoln Mercury (now regarded as Ford of Dalton) from 2007-18 and apprentice technician at Crimson Star Automotive in Conyers from 2005-16.

 

His neighborhood assistance activities consist of mentoring pupils when he was in college, serving heat meals throughout Thanksgiving and Christmas vacations at Providence Ministries, Spanish to English translating in the course of the Christmas toy giveaway at Providence Ministries, volunteering as a softball and T-ball coach and donating to GNTC’s Foundation, which supports regions of institutional want like student scholarships, machines purchases, library components purchases and staff members improvement.

 

He will signify the higher education as GNTC’s 2023 Rick Perkins winner and move on to the regional level of competition, vying for the option to contend at the condition amount in the opposition. 

 

A panel of leaders from enterprise, business and federal government will choose a single instructor to be TCSG’s 2023 Rick Perkins Teacher of the Calendar year. The winner will get a $2,500 dollars prize. 

 

The Rick Perkins Award winner serves as an ambassador for technological education in Georgia and will make numerous general public appearances in the course of the 12 months, which include addressing each chambers of the Ga Basic Assembly. 

 

The most current point out winners to characterize GNTC were being 2019 Rick Perkins Award winner Leyner Argueta, program director of Business Management, and Peco, the 2013 Rick Perkins Award winner.