Amber Batchelor, CEO and President of Batchelor & Bradley Insights Group, LLC in Americus, presented South Georgia Technical College Early Childhood Care and Education student Keyara Williams of Americus with a stipend after Williams was recognized as the college’s 2026 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner by SGTC President Dr. John Watford at the college’s GOAL luncheon recently.
“Congratulations on your selection as the South Georgia Technical College 2026 GOAL student,” said Batchelor, as she presented a stipend to Keyara Williams. “This is an opportunity that I hope you will not take lightly. The “L” in GOAL stands for leadership. Remember that as you go forth in the GOAL competition and throughout life, your story is still being written. I hope you will become the best student ever. This recognition comes with responsibility to represent South Georgia Technical College as well as the other students here. I hope that you will continue to lead and do so with humility.”
Batchelor has served on the SGTC external GOAL selection committee in the past and helped sponsor the program during her time as head of the Americus – Sumter County Chamber of Commerce. She believed in the program and wanted to continue to be involved and assist the GOAL winner as they advanced in the competition.
“On behalf of South Georgia Technical College and the SGTC Foundation, I would like to express our appreciation to Amber Batchelor and her business for her support of our GOAL student,” said SGTC President Dr. John Watford. “We have outstanding students and instructors and the support of our college from this community and our community leaders is invaluable. Thank you again for your support.”
Williams was selected for this honor by a panel of local community leaders. An internal committee interviewed all of the college nominees and narrowed the selection to three GOAL finalists. Williams was selected to represent the Early Childhood Care and Education program and she was competing against finalist Jamyron Clayton of Americus, a practical nursing student. Michelle Sims of Arabi, a practical nursing student on the Crisp County campus, dropped out of the competition after being selected as a finalist.
Early Childhood Care and Education instructor Jaye Cripe nominated Williams for this honor. She will now represent South Georgia Technical College at regional and state competitions in an effort to be selected as the top student within the Technical College System of Georgia.
For more information about making a donation or establishing an endowed scholarship at South Georgia Technical College, contact Su Ann Bird, SGTC Vice President of Institutional Advancement and SGTC Foundation Executive Director at 229-931-2011 or sbird@southgatech.edu. Tax deductible donations may also be mailed to the SGTC Foundation, P.O. Box 6102, Americus GA 31709.