Thursday, January 22, 2026–11:15 a.m.
-News Release-
Three Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) students have been selected as the college’s finalists for the 2026 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL), according to Trish Wiggins, coordinator for the college’s GOAL program.
Listed are students chosen as finalists for the GOAL award, showing (from left) the student’s name, city of residence, program of study, GNTC campus, and nominating instructor:
- Noelia Sargento, Rossville, Business Management, Walker County Campus, Tracy Gentry
- Latasha Fluker, Rome, Marketing Management, Floyd County Campus, Mark Upton
- Brittney Elrod, Ringgold, Business Management, Catoosa County Campus, Dr. Dwight Watt
“I believe the GOAL Student of the Year Award is one of the greatest programs I have ever been involved in,” said Wiggins. “Every year I have the opportunity to meet the best of the best from GNTC, and this year is no exception.”
GOAL, a statewide program of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), honors excellence in academics and leadership among the state’s technical college students. GOAL winners are selected at each of the state’s 22 technical colleges.
The three finalists will advance to a second round of judging with the Rome Floyd Chamber. A panel of business, civic and industry leaders from the community will interview and evaluate the students and select one to be the college’s 2026 GOAL winner.
“I know each one of these students will represent GNTC well in the next round and we will have an extraordinary winner chosen from the finalists,” Wiggins said.
The student judged most outstanding will be announced at the GOAL and Rick Perkins Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, Jan. 27, in Rome. The event is hosted by GNTC, the Rome Floyd Chamber ,and the Seven Hills Rotary Club.
All college GOAL winners will compete in regional judging, which will include students from the other TCSG colleges. Three finalists from the region will be named and will compete in the state GOAL competition.
The state GOAL winner becomes the student ambassador for the Technical College System of Georgia. They will make many public appearances throughout the year, including addresses to the Georgia General Assembly, the governor and other TCSG functions.
Kia Motors, statewide corporate sponsor of the GOAL program, is awarding a new automobile to the state GOAL winner.
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