Kennedy Allen, a business administrative technology student from Vienna, was named South Georgia Technical College’s Crisp County Center Student of Excellence for the month on April. She was awarded the title at a recent ceremony on the Cordele campus, which honored her and five other nominees for their outstanding work ethic.
Allen was nominated for the award by her instructor, Teresa Jolly.
She first enrolled at South Georgia Tech during the spring C-term semester of 2018. In the beginning, it was apparent she didn’t want to be there – but she made good grades and decided to continue seeking her diploma. Soon, she decided to leave her comfort zone and has since joined three student organizations on campus – Phi Beta Lambda (PBL), Student Government Association (SGA) and National Technical Honor Society (NTHS).
“It’s one thing to come to class and do great and make good grades, but it’s another thing to go that extra mile and join clubs and participate in community projects,” Jolly said.
Because she went the extra mile – Kennedy won a gold medal in the business communication competition at the PBL State Leadership Conference recently, earning her a ticket to San Antonio, Texas where she will compete at the national level. She and the four other SGTC students who won gold at the state level will compete for national recognition during the PBL National Leadership Conference in June.
After introductions and short speeches from the other nominees and their nominating instructors, Allen was announced as the winner and accepted her commemorative plaque and a $50 check from SGTC dean of enrollment management Julie Partain.
“If it wasn’t for Mrs. Jolly, I don’t think I would be here anymore – because I didn’t believe in myself. And if she didn’t give me the drive I needed, I don’t think I would be going to San Antonio, so thank you Mrs. Jolly,” she said in an impromptu acceptance speech.
Twice during the semester, instructors in different program areas on the Cordele campus nominate one student from their program who has exhibited high standards academically, socially and professionally. After nominations are submitted, a committee of SGTC staff members use a point system to determine the winner. Points are awarded for GPA, work ethics, involvement in student organizations and other factors.
In addition to the plaque and the monetary reward for winning, Allen also received a congratulatory letter from SGTC president Dr. John Watford and a “Student of Excellence” t-shirt. Her name was also engraved on a perpetual plaque that is displayed in the front lobby of the Crisp County Center.
The nominees from the other programs included: Jillian Meadows of Vienna, accounting degree; Samantha Campbell of Cordele, information systems degree; Tequilla Michele Bishop of Cordele, criminal justice degree; Scotteshia Adkison of Byromville, early childhood care and education degree; and Sakiya Terrell of Ashburn, marketing management.
Other nominating instructors included: Karen Bloodworth, accounting and marketing management; Randy Greene, information systems technology; Wanda Bishop, criminal justice; and Lisa Penton, early childhood care and education.
Full photo gallery can be viewed here -> PHOTOS: Student of Excellence, April 2019 - Cordele
