If at first you don’t succeed, try again, might be a great motto for Shuntuta Brown of Richland. She was selected as the recipient of the South Georgia Technical College Lt. Michael Sangster Law Enforcement Academy endowed scholarship from the SGTC Law Enforcement Academy (LEA) Class of 19-01. She was recognized during the graduation and 10th anniversary celebration of the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy recently.
As a graduate, Brown earned her Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification and a college certificate.
“Being awarded this scholarship is an honor and it is also very fulfilling,” said Brown. “Last year, I failed the firearms portion of the Academy and was dismissed. It took immense courage, support, and perseverance for me to return after failing. I was devastated and somewhat embarrassed.
“I left the Academy feeling defeated. I questioned if I was even supposed to be there to begin with. My family, as supportive as they are, could only offer words of encouragement. As the days went on I attempted to give myself every reason not to try again,” explained Brown.
But a quote from Michelle Obama encouraged her to try again and persevere. The quote was, “failing is a crucial part of success. Every time you fail and get back up, you practice perseverance, which is key to life. Your strength comes in your ability to recover.”
Brown revealed, “every day, in some way, I was reminded of why I chose a career in law enforcement. Whether it was my two-year-old son pretending to be an officer or one of the school kids, most of the time young girls from the community, approaching me asking if I was going to be a police officer? It might have been easy to give up if no one noticed, but it was those encounters that drove me back to finish what I started.”
Brown reapplied to the program and was accepted. She purchased a firearm and practiced every chance she got. “Some days I didn’t shoot as well as I thought I would, but I was determined and ambitious. Finally, the day came to qualify and the rest is history.”
Her perseverance coupled with the awarding of the Lt. Michael Sangster Scholarship has set Brown on the path to success. “I am so thrilled to receive this award and I hope to make Lt. Sangster’s family proud. I will strive to make a positive impact on the lives of those I come in contact with in my community and in my career,” said Brown.
The scholarship is also a blessing to Brown and her family. “Being in this program has been very expensive for my family and me. Whether for gas or food over the course of five to eight months, we have struggled financially trying to pay bills and send me to school on just one income. The academy is not easy. There were times I really wanted to give up but now I am so glad I didn’t. I pushed through and I used my failure to build on my success!”
Lt. Michael Sangster’s mother, Connie Sangster Youngblood, his sister, Melissa Sangster, and his dad, Bob Sangster, were on hand to present the certificate and the scholarship check to Brown. This is the 12th Lt. Michael Sangster scholarship that has been awarded at SGTC since 2012.
Lt. Michael Sangster was an officer with the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office and served as a volunteer instructor for the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy from the inception of the program. He lost his battle with cancer and passed away in 2012 at the age of 35. With the help of family, LEA students, friends, SGTC faculty and staff, and Lou Crouch, a scholarship was endowed in his memory for SGTC LEA students.
Michael Sangster of Cordele held numerous POST certifications, including General Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, TASER Instructor, and Driver Instructor. Lt. Sangster was born in Dooly County but spent most of his life in Cordele. He was the son of Robert Sangster, Sr. and Connie Sangster Youngblood. He has a sister, Melissa Sangster and a son, Caleb.
“On behalf of South Georgia Technical College and the South Georgia Technical College Foundation, I would like to thank the Sangster family, Lou Crouch and the other individuals who donated to this particular scholarship for partnering with us,” said South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford.
“We appreciate the opportunities that this scholarship is providing for our deserving Law Enforcement Academy students. Your investment in an endowed scholarship will continue to give back to our students indefinitely. We appreciate everything you are doing for our students and our community. Thank you again for recognizing the value of the educational opportunities and for supporting this effort. The students you help today will be the public servants that we count on tomorrow in our local communities.”
For more information about making a donation to the Lt. Michael Sangster Scholarship Fund or for endowing a scholarship at South Georgia Technical College, contact Su Ann Bird, SGTC Foundation Executive Director at 229.931.2110 or sbird@southgatech.edu. Contributions may also be mailed to the SGTC Foundation, P.O. Box 6102, Americus, GA.
The South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy program takes 18 weeks to complete and most recruits qualify for the HOPE Grant and other forms of financial aid. Admission standards require all students to undergo a thorough background check and adhere to all rules as set forth by the state POST Council. Students will also have to meet minimum scores in English, reading and math.
For more information about the Law Enforcement Academy contact the Law Enforcement Academy office at 229.931.2716 or SGTC Law Enforcement Academy Director Brett Murray at 229.931.2756; or SGTC Dean Academic Affairs Vanessa Wall in Americus at 229.931.2713.