Bailey Mills named November’s SGTC Student of Excellence

Bailey Mills of Cordele, an Aviation Maintenance Technology student at South Georgia Technical College, was named the SGTC Student of Excellence for the month of November during a recent recognition ceremony held in the John M. Pope Industrial Technology Center on the college’s Americus campus. Mills was nominated for the award by his instructor and former instructor of the year Charles Christmas. Christmas presented him with a nomination certificate and spoke to the audience of classmates and instructors about what sets his student apart from the rest. “One of the things with Bailey is that he’s not afraid to ask questions,” Christmas said. “He’s dedicated to his work, he’s dedicated to helping others, and he steps out and goes the extra mile.” Mills’ desire to better himself and his education is apparent when you look at his involvement in student organizations, competitions and in his professional life. He has participated in SkillsUSA, is a member of the National Honor Technical Society and is gaining experience in the field as an employee of Souther Field Aviation. “Those things are important for a student,” Christmas said. “He is to be commended for that. It shows his dedication, his ability and his desire to get better every day.” Mills accepted his nomination and thanked his instructors for their dedication to him and his classmates. “This program is a great big family. I have to say that I’ve never been anywhere where everyone works so well together like a family, and it’s all because of you three instructors,” Mills said in reference to Charles Christmas and the additional Aviation instructors, David Grant and Victoria Herron. “I have to say, I work really hard in everything I’ve been doing here, and it means a lot to get this award. I appreciate it,” he said after being announced as the winner. Mills was awarded with a plaque of recognition, a personal letter of recommendation from SGTC President Dr. John Watford and a $50 check for her accomplishments. Additionally, his name will be displayed on SGTC’s digital marquee as well as inscribed on a plaque in Hicks Hall among previous Student of Excellence winners. As a bonus and for bragging rights, a Student of Excellence banner will hang in his program area until the next student is named on Jan. 25, 2018. Each month, students from certain divisions selected for that month are nominated for the Student of Excellence award by their instructors. This month’s ceremony recognized students in transportation programs at SGTC. The winner is selected based on a number of criteria, including grades, work ethics, participation in clubs and organizations, and amount of program completion. Each nominee is presented with a certificate and a South Georgia Technical College Student of Excellence T-shirt. Other nominees included: Spencer Metheny of Parrott, Automotive Technology; Dameon Oliver of Americus, Auto Collision Technology; Andy Carpenter of Rupert, Diesel Power Equipment; and Marvin J. Johnson of Americus, Motorsports Vehicle Technology. Additional nominating instructors included Brandon Dean, Automotive Technology Starlyn Sampson, Auto Collision Technology; Chase Shannon, Diesel Power Equipment; and Kevin Beaver, Motorsports Vehicle Technology. Photo gallery: Student of Excellence, Americus Campus November 2017 Sitting from left to right are Student of Excellence nominees: Bailey Mills, Spencer Metheny, Dameon Oliver, Andy Carpenter, and Marvin Johnson. Standing from left to right are nomination instructors: Charles Christmas, Brandon Dean, Starlyn Sampson, Chase Shannon, and Kevin Beaver.