Kolby Smith of Vienna, a member of the 2020 graduating class of Crisp County High School, was nominated and selected to receive the Crisp County High School Class of 1965 scholarship at South Georgia Technical College. The scholarship can be utilized for tuition, books, supplies, on-campus housing, and educational tools while he continues his education at South Georgia Tech.
Alumni of the Crisp County High School Class of 1965 set up the scholarship at South Georgia Technical College as a meaningful way to give back to their community. The scholarship is awarded annually and is open to members of the current graduating class of Crisp County High School who choose to further their education at South Georgia Technical College.
Smith has been accepted into the Aviation Maintenance program at South Georgia Technical College for Fall Semester 2020 and plans to earn his aviation maintenance diploma and Airframe and Powerplant (A & P) certifications.
“I have already been attending South Georgia Technical College as a dual enrollment student in the welding program. My grandfather was a helicopter mechanic while overseas in Vietnam. I can remember my whole life my grandfather telling me stories of what he did and just recently that has really intrigued me and I have decided to follow in his footsteps,” said Smith.
Smith does not plan to go overseas in the military but he does hope to be able to pursue a career in aircraft maintenance at the Warner Robins Air Force Base or with Delta or another aviation company.
“I am currently working at Sunbelt Ford in Cordele as a mechanic,” explained Smith. “I have always had an interest in cars and pretty much anything mechanical especially cars and trucks.” Now he is transferring that interest into the aviation field.
Smith enjoys hunting, fishing, spending time with his family and working on his truck. “My truck has taught me very valuable lessons since I’ve owned it,” said Smith. “When I first got it, it needed some work such as a new engine, transmission, and transfer case which luckily enough was given to me along with it. I have spent many long days and nights fixing it and adding on to the pile of modifications that are already on it. Completing everything on this truck has taught me to always keep moving and keep my head up.”
The new graduate of Crisp County High School was active during his high school career. He was a member of the JROTC, Healthcare, Agriculture, and Chorus programs in addition to being a dual enrollment student. He received a pathway completion cord for having the ability to take Dual Enrollment Classes through his high school.
Smith thanked the members of the Crisp County High School Class of ’65 for providing this scholarship. “I am very thankful for the opportunity to receive this scholarship and with your help, I will be able to accomplish my dream,” said Smith.
He is the son of Keith and Melissa Smith from Vienna.
The Crisp County High School Class of 65 initiated this scholarship program18 years ago when they returned to Cordele for a class reunion. Susan Owens Stripling, along with Patti Bridges Dash and Stella Williams Bailey were the guiding forces behind the scholarship efforts. They decided to enlist the support of their classmates to establish a fund to provide assistance to students who wanted to attend South Georgia Technical College after high school graduation. The former CCHS students were successful in securing enough donations from classmates to establish a scholarship endowment fund with the SGTC Foundation.