South Georgia Technical College cosmetology student Dawn Ammons was named a 2021 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) finalist by the Technical College System of Georgia. She will now represent South Georgia Tech at the state competition against eight other top students from around Georgia. The finalists were announced during a live streamed TCSG special presentation recently.
“I am so honored and surprised,” said South Georgia Technical College 2021 GOAL winner Dawn Ammons. “All of the GOAL winners from the different colleges were outstanding. To be selected as one of the nine finalists from the 22 technical colleges around the state is very humbling. It is also validation that this is exactly where I need to be,” added Ammons.
Ammons shared that a year ago she did not think any of this would be possible. “I have always been a hard worker, but when COVID-19 hit, I lost my job and no one was hiring. I found myself as an unemployed single parent and I really didn’t know what to do. My daughter, Adison, was the one who suggested that I go back to school and here I am.”
One year later, Ammons has risen to the top of her cosmetology class. She was selected by her instructor Dorothea Lusane McKenzie to represent her program in the college GOAL competition. She was also nominated as the Student of Excellence for her program.
“Ms. Ammons is a student that exemplifies excellence. She is hardworking, respectful, and motivated. She is a beautiful person who is always helpful and nice. She is a ray of sunshine and is the type of person who blesses your life when they cross your path. The other students in the program really look up to her,” said cosmetology instructor Dorothea Lusane McKenzie.
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford congratulated Ammons on this honor. “We are so proud of you and proud for you,” said Dr. Watford after learning that Ammons will now advance to the state to vie for the 2021 Georgia GOAL award. The 2021 Student of the Year and the state GOAL winner will serve as the Technical College System of Georgia’s student ambassador during a number of system and college functions throughout the year. The state GOAL winner will be awarded a new automobile provided by KIA Motors Manufacturing Georgia.
Ammons thanked South Georgia Technical College for the opportunities that the college and its staff and instructors have provided. “My dreams are coming true because of South Georgia Technical College,” said Ammons. “I am on the right path to a rewarding career. I will be able to provide for myself and my daughter now and I will do everything I can to make each of you proud for selecting me as the 2021 GOAL student from South Georgia Tech and as a regional finalist for the southern part of the state.”
When asked why she selected South Georgia Technical College, Ammons explained that she liked the idea of “hands-on learning. I am the type of learner that needs to be able to use my hands so technical education was perfect for me. We read and learn about things we need to know from our textbooks, but then we go into the lab and actually practice what we have learn about. That allows us to learn by doing and I am so thankful to South Georgia Tech and Ms. McKenzie for their support of me and my goals.”
Her journey to become the 2021 GOAL student at South Georgia Technical College began with her competing against 16 other GOAL nominees from other programs at the college. That field was narrowed to four individuals by the SGTC goal screening committee that was composed of SGTC employees, Dr. David Finley, Julie Partain, Jennifer Robinson, Sammy Stone, and Dianne Trueblood. Those top four finalists were interviewed by a selection committee of community leaders. Those individuals included: Kim Christmas, Vice President of Human Resources, PharmaCentra, LLC; Rev. Michael Coley, SGTC graduate and retired Robins Air Force Base employee; Vicki Crew, PeopleSouth Bank Market President; Ty Kinslow, Senior Vice President for Communications, Magnolia Manor; and Charlene Pennymon, Vice President, Citizens Bank of Americus.
Once Ammons was selected as the SGTC 2021 GOAL student, she advanced to the regional competition. She competed against eight other college winners from the southern region. As one of the top regional winners, she will now compete for the state title. The state winner will be announced later this year.
Ammons and SGTC 2021 Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year Chef “Ricky” Ludwig Watzolick gathered with SGTC President Dr. John Watford and other SGTC administrators as well as supporters in the John M. Pope Industrial Technology Center to watch the TCSG live streamed award presentation of the 2021 Regional GOAL and Rick Perkins finalists.