Over 215 individuals earned the right to be recognized at the South Georgia Technical College’s Spring 2021 drive-thru commencement ceremony Thursday, May 6th at 6 p.m. in the outdoor circular drive area between the John M. Pope Center and the Odom Center. The event was held outside due to COVID-19 pandemic regulations and graduates stayed in their cars until their associate degree or diploma was awarded.
One hundred and seven students earned an Associate of Applied Science degree while another 108 were recognized for earning a diploma in their field of study. Twenty-two students qualified as a Presidential honor graduate which requires an overall grade point average of 3.9 or higher and another 43 were spotlighted as an honor graduate with a grade point average of 3.70 to 3.89. Six National Technical Honor Society members were also recognized.
SGTC President Dr. John Watford and Vice President for Academic Affairs David Kuipers presided over the graduation ceremony. Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Vanessa Wall called each graduate’s name and program of study as the graduates exited their vehicles to receive their diploma from President Watford.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Don Porter, Chair of the SGTC local Board of Directors, introduced the keynote speaker for the evening virtually as part of the SGTC 2021 Spring graduation video. South Georgia Technical College Cosmetology student and SGTC’s 2021 GOAL Student of the Year, Dawn Ammons, delivered her graduation speech virtually via the video as well.
In her brief talk to graduates and their family members, Ammons congratulated the graduates and challenged them to continue on their educational journey. She thanked South Georgia Technical College’s administration and faculty and staff for their support and encouraged students to persevere and challenge themselves to reach for their dreams.
President Watford and Vice President for Academic Affairs David Kuipers then presented the diplomas to the graduates.
SGTC students who earned the distinction of graduating as Presidential Honor graduates and their respective fields of study included: Accounting (AAS) Cadie Ryer of Americus; Agricultural Technology (AAS) Noah Wells Siets of Tallahassee, FL; Air Conditioning Technology (Diploma) Cassadeyoun Youndsolo Daniels of Cordele, and Matthew Ross of Americus; Automotive Technology (Diploma) Ethan Daves Ethridge and Jeremy Russell Robinson of Americus; Business Technology (AAS) Samantha Jade Campbell of Cordele and Nicole Lee Embry of Pitts; Business Technology (Diploma) Sara Katelyn Rogers of Cordele; Computer Support Specialist (AAS and Diploma) Dewandelyn C. Hall of Americus; Computer Support and Networking Specialist (AAS and Diploma) Jack Kyle Ryer of Americus; Criminal Justice Technology (AAS and Diploma) Christopher James Prokesh of Leesburg; Culinary Arts (AAS) Roderick Sharrod Douglas of Americus; Drafting Technology (AAS and Diploma) Patrick Logan Henderson of Cordele; Electrical Power Generation Dealer Service Technology (AAS)) Zackery Hunter Ramey of Fulton, MS; Heavy Equipment Dealer Service Technology (AAS) Brantly Lane Douglas of Sylvania, Benjamin Jordan Ellis of Murfreesboro, TN, Spencer Laruent Reaves of Summerdale, AL, and Ethan Seth Starnes of Greensville, TN; Motors Vehicle Technology (Diploma) Garrett Alston Kennedy of Pine Mountain; Sports and Fitness Management (AAS and Diploma) Marion Imani McNeal of Locust Grove and Nikola Sasaroga of Americus.
SGTC students who earned the distinction of graduating as Honor graduates (3.70 – 3.89 GPA) and their respective fields of study included: Agricultural Technology (AAS), Coleman John Blommel of Dade City, FL; Joshua Taylor Breasette of Albany, Nash Carter Anderson Douglas of Waycross, Villiam Brandy Middleton of Perry; and Cason Duane Taunton of Shiloh; Air Conditioning Technology (Diploma), Andrew Lee Houser of Cordele and Brandon Thompson of Cordele; Automotive Technology (Diploma), Jacob Christian Haddock of Barnesville; Business Technology (AAS and Diploma) Amparo Aguirre-Reyes of Montezuma; Business Technology (Diploma) Kiara Ver’rene’e Bryant of Oglethorpe; Computer Support Specialist (AAS and Diploma) Jaieisha Shauntay Mann of Americus; Computer Support Specialist (Diploma),Jacob Emmanuel See of Mauk; Criminal Justice Technology (AAS and Diploma), Monquavious Harvey of Butler, Jamesia Antoinette Monts of Americus and Sheena B. Saint of Americus; Criminal Justice Technology (Diploma) Hailey Breeana Harris of Vienna of Charittie Faith Walker of Arabi; Culinary Arts (Diploma), Wesley Davis Spires of Cordele; Early Childhood Care and Education (AAS) Eva Jean Porter of Buena Vista; Electrical Power Generation Dealer Service Technology (AAS), Garrett Dahistrom Hultquist of Saint Johns, FL and Skyler Payne Crump of Bessemar, AL, and John David Ross Hamilton of Gardendale, AL; Electrical Construction Technology and Electrical Systems Technology (Diploma) Brooks Parker Cape of Eastman and Jeff Sharp Sheppard, Jr. of Cordele; Electrical Systems Technology (Diploma) David W. Wilkerson of Americus; Heavy Equipment Dealer Service Technology (AAS), Michael Stephen Carlson of Woodstock, Noah Brooks Combs of Dunlap, TN, Wyatt A. Davis of Saint George; Brittany N. Gaines of Kennesaw, Thomas Andrew Grant of New Site, AL, Aaron Dalton Johns of Springville, AL; Matthew Riley Jones of Hamilton, AL, Hunter Carson Palmer of Riply, TN; William Christopher Parker of Monticello, Austin Daniel Parnell of Chunky, MS, Bady Lee Pearman of Cumberland Gap, TN, Chance Johnson Peebles of Thomson, and Samuel Baylee Pollard of Talladega, TN; Motorsports Vehicle Technology (Diploma), Dane Mitchell Jarrad of Dover, FL; Sports and Fitness Management (AAS), Robert Kevin DeSilvia, Jr. of Augusta and Moe Shida of Japan; and Welding and Joining Technology (Diploma), Samuel Lovelace of Leesburg and Starla Kara-Denah Maze of Arabi.
Six graduates are also members of the National Technical Honor Society. Those individuals are: Samantha Campbell, Nicole Embry, Hailey Harris, Andrew Houser, Jeremy Robinson and Charittie Walker.
The 107 students who earned Associate of Applied Science degrees in the different program areas included: Accounting, Cadie Ryer of Americus; Agricultural Technology, Coleman John Blommel of Dade City, FL; Joshua Taylor Breasette of Albany, Logan Cadden Dickens of Sparks, Nash Douglas of Waycross, Ty Paul Landry of Cochran, Gralin Pierce Latham of Summerville, SC, Thomas Henry Martin of Dalton, William Middleton of Perry, Robert C. Parker of Ozark, AL, Aaron L. Rogers of Cochran, Justin Wade Scott of Lakeland, FL, Noah Wells Siets of Tallahassee, FL, Samuel Reed Smith of Rochelle, Colton Thomas Stone of Tifton, and Cason Duane Taunton of Shiloh; Business Technology, Amparo Aguirre-Reyes of Montezuma, Samantha Campbell of Cordele, Nicole Lee Embry of Pitts, Ashley Lynn Holland of Cordele, LaShon M. McDonald of Montezuma, and Courtney McGriff-Taylor of Vienna; Computer Support Specialist, Shaleika Lashon Black of Ashburn, Lorenz Kyle Connor of Preston, Joshua A. Davis of Unadilla, Dwandelyn C. Hall of Americus, Christopher Lowell of Plains, Jaleisha Shauntay Mann of Americus, and Jack Kyle Ryer of Americus; Criminal Justice Technology, Logan Nathaniel Barrett of Pelham, Raja Nyila Buckholts of Vienna, Latroia Latrice Denmark of Cordele, Donza Melissa Foster of Powder Springs, Monquavious Harvey of Butler, Jamesia Antoinette Monts of Americus, Jennifer Lynn Owens of Americus, Kiara A. Patridge of Jonesboro, Christopher Prokesh of Leesburg, Sheena B. Saint of Americus, Sharon Lennett Terry of Americus, Brandon Markise Thomas of Americus, and Tyler Jeff Wilson of Abbeville; Culinary Arts, Roderick Sharrod Douglas of Americus, Kimberly Kirksey of Reynolds and Kolawole Ogunmuko of Canton; Drafting Technology, Patrick Henderson of Cordele;
Early Childhood Care & Education, Keterria Keshay Boone of Americus, Lakeisha Dowdell Collier of Americus, Latonya Shonta Mency of Warwick, Jessica Shaneal Myrick of Americus, Eva Jean Porter of Buena Vista, and Cara Leigh Vonier of Cordele; Electrical Power Generation Dealer Service Technology, Clarence Barnett of Nicholasville, KY, Skyler Payne Crump of Bessemer, AL, Dylan Scott Hackett of Cocoa, FL; John David Ross Hamilton of Gardendale, AL; Garrett Hultquist of Saint Johns, FL; Jackery Hunter Ramey of Fulton, MS, Jake Stallings of West Melbourne, FL, and Brantley Jackson Worthy of Barnesville; Heavy Equipment Dealer Service Technician, Zachary Brate of Wimauma, FL; Michael Carlson of Woodstock, Noah Brooks Combs of Dunlap, TN, Wyatt A. Davis of Saint George, Brantly Lane Douglas of Sylvanie, Benjamin Jordan Ellis of Murfreesboro, TN, Brittany N. Gaines of Kennesaw, Bryson C. Glenn of Murfreesboro, TN, Thomas Andrew Grant of New Site, AL, Dallas Wade Henderson of Smiths Station, AL, Aaron Dalton Johns of Springville, AL, Matthew Riley Jones of Hamilton, AL, Colby E. Kipstine of Elkton, FL, Perry Malone of Pontotoc, MS; Jarad Rex May of French Camp, MS; Kobe Mitchelle of Parrish, AL; Kenneth Logan Moody of Flat Rock, AL; Brandon Ward Morris of Seymour, TN, Garrett Wilson Murphy of Moreland, Hunter Carson Palmer of Ripley, TN, William Parker of Monticello, Austin Daniel Parnell of Chunky, MS, Brady Lee Pearman of Cumberland Gap, TN, Chance John Peebles of Thomson, Samuel Baylee Pollard of Talladega, AL, Spencer Laruent Reaves of Summerdale, AL, Christian Dae Smith of Ashburn, and Ethan Seth Starnes of Greensville, TN; Marketing Management, Angela Tannett Wright of Cordele; Networking Specialist, Shaleika Lashon Black of Ashburn, Michael Driggers of Americus, Jack Kyle Ryer of Americus, and Chance Simpson of Marshallville; and Sports and Fitness Management, Hope Butera of Kigali, Rwanda, Veronica Charles of Benue State, Nigeria, Robert Kevin DeSilvia, Jr. of Augusta, Brandon Gooden of Americus, Kamya Hollingshed of McDonough, Tabais Long of Conyers, Sarah Lwambo of Goma, DRC, Niya McGuire of Monroe, LA, Marion Imani McNeal of Locus Grove, Flore Ngasamputu of Kinshasa, DRC, Jalen Reynolds of Darien, Nikola Sasaroga of Novi Sad, Serbia, Moe Shida of Hokkaido, Japan, Femme Masudi Sikuzani of Goma, DRC, and Jordan Xavier Stephens of Macon.
One hundred and eight students earned Diplomas and those students and their programs of study included: Accounting, Alex Andres Herberth, Candie Ryer, and Amanda Suzan Sumner;
Air Conditioning Technology, Jared Lee Christmas, Steven Newby Conrad, Casadeyoun Daniels, Andrew Lee Houser, Matthew Ross, and Brandon Thompson; Aircraft Structural Technology, Shaquitta Cannon and Leon Wyatt; Auto Collision Repair, Corey Antoine Jackson, Jeffery J. Rogers, Devin Scott Sims, and Alfonso Thomas; Automotive Technology, Ethan Daves Ethridge, Jacob Haddock, and Jeremy Robinson; Business Technology, Elizabeth Adams, Mary Louise Adams, Amparo Aguirre-Reyes, Kiara Ver’rene’e Bryant, Kimberly Lynn Craft, Jerrisha Hamilton and Sara Katelyn Rogers; Computer Support Specialist, Shaleika Lashon Black, Lorenz Kyle Connor, Dwandelyn C. Hall, Christopher Lowell, Jaleisha Shauntay Mann, Crystal Sheree McLeod, Jack Kyle Ryer, Jacob Emmanuel See, and Mark Simmons; Cosmetology, Sharesa Ashley Hudson; Criminal Justice Technology, Logan Nathaniel Barrett, Donza Melissa Foster, Contessa Glover, Hailey Breeanna Harris, Monquavious Harvey, Jamesia Monts, Thomas Moore, Jennifer Lynn Owens, Kiara A. Patridge, Christopher Prokesh, Sheena B. Saint, Sharon Lenette Terry, Charittie Faith Walker, Kabrianna Wilkerson, and Tyler Jeff Wilson; Culinary Arts, Kimberly Baker, Benny Carnell Burch, Roderick Sharrod Douglas, Kolawole Ogunmuko, and Wesley Davis Spires; Diesel Equipment Technology, Charles Eungene Young; Drafting Technology, Patrick Henderson and James Clinton McDaniel; Early Childhood Care and Education, Shelli Brown Bozeman, Edwin Cabrera, Britney Lashawn Davis, Kadeejah Gibson, Jada Cyterial Harpe, Karissa Tysha Hill, Aderica Nicole Johnson, and Moniesha Latrice Lewis;
Electrical Construction Technology, Brooks Parker Cape, Casey Garrett Rucker, Jeff Sharp Sheppard, Jr.; Electrical Systems Technology, Brooks Parker Cape, Casey Garrett Rucker, Jeff Sharp Sheppard, Jr., David W. Wilkerson; Marketing Management, Narcissus Elena Pitts; Medical Assisting, Dennisha A. Davis, Nacoria Dawson, Precious Royal, Marquita Chandell Sims; Motorsports Vehicle Technology, Dane Mitchell Jarrad and Garrett Alston Kennedy;
Networking Specialist, Shaleika Lashon Black, Michael Driggers, Crystal Sheree McLeod, Jack Kyle Ryer, Mark Simmons, and Chance Simpson; Sports and Fitness Management, Hope Butera, Veronica Charles, Robert Kevin DeSilvia, Jr., Brandon Gooden, Kamya Hollingshed, abais Long, Sarah Lwambo, Donte Laquon Manuel, Niya McGuire, Marion Imani McNeal, Flore Ngasamputu, Jalen Reynolds, Nikola Sasarog, Moe Shida, Femme Masudi Sikuzani, and Jordan Xavier Stephens; and Welding and Joining Technology, Lee Nelson Clements, Charles Cornell, Samuel Lovelce, Starla Kara-Denah Maze, Jonatha Bryce Nipper, Jon Colin Pate and Roderious Pines.
Photos from the graduation ceremony can be found on the South Georgia Technical College website: www.southgatech.edu in the photo gallery section and on the college’s Facebook page. A video of the event will be posted on the South Georgia Technical College YouTube Channel.
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford (right) is shown with Moe Shida, a Sports and Fitness Management graduate, who was also named as a NJCAA second team All-American and a WBCA All-American as a member of the 2021-2021 Lady Jets basketball team that advanced to the national tournament this year.
Eva Porter of Marion County is shown above earning her associate degree in Early Childhood Care and Education. She is shown with SGTC President Dr. John Watford.