Clarkesville, GA – North Georgia Technical College (NGTC) recently named four students as finalists for the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL). 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.
NGTC’s finalists are Amber Adams, Practical Nursing student of Commerce, Ga., nominated by Practical Nursing instructor Sharon McFarland; Julie Amara, Practical Nursing student of Blairsville, Ga., nominated by Math Instructor Jack Smith; Ryan Anderson, Business Technology student of Cleveland, Ga., nominated by Business Technology instructor Angela Banks; and Melissa Klopschinski, Registered Nursing student of Blairsville, Ga., nominated by Registered Nursing instructor Dr. Martha Marquardt.
The four finalists will compete Jan. 15, 2026, in front of a panel of business, civic, and industry leaders, who will select the college’s 2026 GOAL winner. The NGTC GOAL winner will then represent NGTC at the regional and state competitions.
Other nominees include Felicia Cantrell of Cleveland, Ga.; Marie Culver of Carnesville, Ga.; John Dalton of Blairsville, Ga.; Kenneth Jinks of Alto, Ga.; Cecil Mullan of Athens, Ga.; Lauren Taylor of Alto, Ga.; Nathan Thompson of Alpharetta, Ga.; and Joan Vanderzouwen of McCaysville, Ga.
“On behalf of North Georgia Technical College, we would like to congratulate these outstanding GOAL nominees for their hard work and dedication to pursuing excellence in their chosen fields of study,” said NGTC GOAL Coordinator Madison Hopkins. “Each nominee did a tremendous job stepping out of their comfort zone and sharing their personal story and perspectives on the importance of technical education. We wish them all much success as they achieve their goals and look forward to naming our college winner in January!”
For more information regarding North Georgia Technical College programs or admission, visit northgatech.edu or call 706-754-7700.
