Middle Georgia Technical College

MGTC GOAL Student Selected as Finalist at State Competition

Atlanta - Sheila Kowalski, Middle Georgia Technical College's Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner, was selected as a top five finalist in the recent state GOAL competition held at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel in Atlanta. Laura Bickerton, a Radiologic Technology student from Ogeechee Technical College in Statesboro, took the top prize of the GOAL medallion and a brand new car from Chevrolet.

Kowalski was selected for the top five along with Bickerton and students from Augusta Technical College, West Central Technical College in Carrollton, and Coosa Valley Technical College in Rome.

Kowalski, a Cosmetology student, won the MGTC college-level competition and competed among the top echelon of students representing the state's 33 technical colleges and 3 Board of Regents schools with technical divisions. She was accompanied during the conference by her nominating instructor, Jolie Martin, and MGTC GOAL Coordinator Janet Kelly.

During the intensive and competitive public speaking and interview process, Kowalski participated in the initial round of judging and was selected as a top 12 semi-finalist. After competing in a second round of judging, she was announced as a top five finalist at the GOAL Banquet. For being selected as a top five finalist, she and Martin both received cash awards.

TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson also congratulated Kowalski for being one of the finalists.

"The competition to be named our Student of the Year is a challenging process that's open to each of Georgia's 141,000 technical college students," Jackson said. "To reach this level, as one of 12 semi-finalists and a top five finalist, is an exceptional achievement."

During the competition, students were rated by a panel of judges representing business and industry from across the state. After personal interviews with each student and an examination of scholastic achievement, leadership qualities, community involvement and future aspirations, judges made their determination of which student could best serve as the ambassador for technical education in Georgia over the next year.

To help Kowalski prepare for the conference, several local sponsors provided support including the Warner Robins Chamber of Commerce, Cade Daffin and Sarah Kidney of Awaken: Aveda Salon and Spa in Warner Robins, V's Village, the Middle Georgia Technical College Foundation, and the MGTC Student Leadership Council.

"Participating in the GOAL competition has been such a wonderful experience," said Kowalski. "To be the representative for Middle Georgia Technical College is such an honor and to be chosen to be among the top five technical education students in the state is absolutely overwhelming. This week has been absolutely amazing and I have met so many remarkable people. It is an experience I will always remember."

Kowalski, who has earned here state cosmetology license and is continuing her education in the barbering program, credited her nominating instructor with giving her the skills and the motivation to achieve her goals.

"Ms. Martin has been such a wonderful instructor," said Kowalski. "She brings in industry professionals to teach us the latest techniques and pushes us to do our best. Because of the great training I received from my instructors at MGTC, I now have now been offered a great career opportunity with training and room for advancement. Technical education really has changed my life."

The GOAL Conference is coordinated by the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) which oversees 33 technical colleges throughout the state. In 2007, more than 140,000 students attended TCSG colleges, which offer small classes, hands-on experience and focused instructor attention in more than 600 programs, including healthcare, aerospace, agribusiness, life sciences, and much more. The TCSG also manages the state's adult education and GED programs as well as Quick Start, an economic development incentive for attracting new investment to the state and promoting job creation.

Middle Georgia Technical College offers credit courses and continuing education classes at the main campus in Warner Robins and at the Sam Way, Sr. Hawkinsville Workforce Development Center (HWDC) in Pulaski County. In addition, MGTC offers Adult Education courses, including GED and English as a second language (ESL), at centers in Dooly, Houston, and Peach counties, and at HWDC in Pulaski County. For more information or to apply for Summer Quarter, call (478) 988.6800 or log on to www.middlegatech.edu. Classes start July 8.

MGTC GOAL winner and state finalist Sheila Kowalski is congratulated by TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson