Americus, Ga.—Three students in the Diesel Equipment Technology program at South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) were awarded the South Georgia Technical College Foundation Caterpillar Excellence Scholarships recently in recognition of their hard work, work ethics and grade point averages. They were recommended by Diesel Technology instructor Chase Shannon.
Chandler Highnote of Americus, Bruce Thaxton of Butler, and Brayden Pilkenton of Molena, were the students selected to receive the Caterpillar Excellence Scholarships. Each student received $1666 from the scholarship to purchase tools for their chosen career field.
All three of the students expressed their appreciation to Caterpillar and the South Georgia Technical College Foundation for the opportunity to receive these scholarships. Even though they have not completed the program yet, each student is already working in this field.
Chandler Highnote faced a dilemma when he was a senior in high school. “I was torn between going to a college that had a sporting program that I wanted to participate in or following the path that would take me to my dream career,” said Highnote. Once he decided to go after the career he wanted, he had another choice to make about how he wanted to achieve it.
“I wanted to be a diesel mechanic. My father owns his own trucking company and growing up, I spent time with him over the summers admiring how he works on trucks. This allowed me to ask questions and learn how semis operate. Ever since the first time learning anything about a semi-truck, I have been in love with the way all the parts worked together as one,” explained Highnote.
But once he had decided on his future career, he was still torn between college or going to work. In the end, he selected South Georgia Technical College and is very glad he did.
“South Georgia Technical College is rated the number one school for diesel mechanics and it was close to home. So, I decided if I came here I could then go to work for a company or work for myself. I am so glad I did. In my time at South Georgia Tech, I have had an abundance of support from my instructor and through his encouragement, I began working for my dad’s company as a mechanic. This opportunity allows me to focus on school but also get real world experience. From the first day, I came here, I know that the decision to attend South Georgia Tech was the right choice for me,” said Highnote.
Chandler Highnote is the son of Marty and Heather Highnote and his father’s company is MDH Trucking. Chandler also plans to earn his Commercial Truck Driving License from SGTC after he graduates from the Diesel program.
Bruce Thaxton of Butler is another student that chose to enter the Diesel Technology program at South Georgia Tech because of family influence. “I grew up in the trucking and logging industry and have been helping at our shop since I was old enough to change a tire. I am a third-generation diesel mechanic and I hope to be able to one day continue the business.”
Thaxton graduated from Taylor County High School in Butler and completed the CTAE pathway in Automotive Technology and got ASE certified while in high school. Upon graduation, he enrolled at South Georgia Tech in the Commercial Truck Driving program and earned his CDL.
“I chose South Georgia Technical College because it has an awesome reputation in providing an excellent education. It was the closest to me but that was an added blessing for me. Many people from all over the southeast choose to attend this school because of its reputation but also because of the awesome programs it provides.”
Thaxton said “his mom told him that he had to get an education no matter what, and being a third-generation mechanic, there was never a question as to what my future held. I’ve always known this is what I wanted to do.”
Thaxton is the son of Dale and Lynn Thaxton. Thaxton Trucking in Taylor County is the family business. His sister, Kiley Thaxton, was also recognized by the SGTC Foundation for her success in the High-Performance Engines/Motorsports program at South Georgia Tech.
Brayden Pilkenton of Pike County, was the third student chosen. He has already completed his CDL and the welding program at SGTC and should complete the Diesel program in the summer.
He graduated from high school in 2003 and has always been interested in mechanics in general since he was a small child helping his dad and granddaddy work on farm equipment and trucks.
“Growing up around a farm will make you a mechanic because it is usually cheaper to fix it yourself. That has led me into the diesel mechanics field because I love the feeling of completing a job that you have finished on your own and the reward that comes with it,” said Pilkenton.
While he was a senior in high school, he began searching for a technical college that offered diesel mechanics and welding. “South Georgia Technical College was one of the first ones to come up so I looked through the website and after scheduling a tour of the campus and seeing what the school had to offer, I knew the Diesel Technology program was the one.
“While I have been here I have been able to further my knowledge and education and my instructor, Chase Shannon, has the hands-on skills that you can not learn from a book,” added Pilkenton.
All three students are already working in their chosen fields even before graduation. The cooperation between their employers and their instructors made it easy for them to continue to pursue their dreams and get a jump start on their careers.
And now thanks to the CAT Excellence scholarship, each student will have his own tools that will provide them a great foundation for the career of a lifetime. The current estimated starting pay for entry-level diesel technicians is around $46,000 per year and the job outlook for the next five years is expected to grow by nearly 10 percent.
“These students exemplify and personify all of the qualities we look for in a scholarship recipient,” said South Georgia Technical College Foundation Executive Director and VP of Institutional Advancement Su Ann Bird. “We appreciate Caterpillar for the funds to be able to award these scholarships to these outstanding diesel technicians.”
Chase Shannon, SGTC Diesel Equipment Technology Instructor, praised the students. “These students are hard workers. They have good work ethics, they enjoy challenges and they are very observant,” said Shannon.
Students were selected for this scholarship based on instructor recommendation, academic achievement, test scores, and interview. Funding for these scholarships is made available by the SGTC Foundation through donations made to the Caterpillar Excellence Fund. The partnership with Caterpillar addresses the need for qualified Diesel Equipment technicians and assists students who have made achievements in the Diesel field.
Individuals interested in the Diesel Equipment Technology program can contact Chase Shannon at cshannon@southgatech.edu or individuals can apply on online at www.southgatech.edu.