Contest participants, students, parents, and faculty from the two colleges gathered for the awards ceremony hosted in the auditorium on the East Georgia College Campus. Each participant in the contest received a certificate and was recognized by Dr. John Black, President of East Georgia College, and Dr. Glenn Deibert, President of Swainsboro Technical College.

The winners of the essay contest were:

(from the elementary schools) First Place- Kenton Scott, Twin City Elementary School; Second Place- Wesley Finch, Jenkins County Elementary School; and Third place- DeAnna Dorsey , Jennkins County Elementary School.

(from the middle schools) First Place-Alex Allen, Johnson County Middle Schoo; Second Place-Whitley Clark, Jenkins County Middle School; Third Place-Christopher Johnson, Emanuel County Institute, and Honorable Mention-Spencer Salter, Treutlen Middle School.

(from the high schools) First Place-Marah Johnson, at Jenkins County High School; Second Place-Alexa Watkins, Swainsboro High School; and Third Place-Derek Roberson, Emanuel County Institute.

Jenkins County was recognized as having the highest participation; and Gena Lee Garrett, a senior at Swainsboro High School, was awarded the EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP. The scholarship award was available to seniors of the area high schools with a criteria based on leadership, academic success, community and/or church involvement, extracurricular activities and other awards or recognitions. Miss Garrett was nominated by Angie Johnson, Graduation Coach at Swainsboro High School.

Pictured (l-r): Leisa Dukes, GOAL Coordinator; Tony Criswell, sponsor and Electrical Construction Technology Instructor; Tim Hendley, Swainsboro Technical College Goal Winner; Dr. Glenn Deibert, Interim President of Swainsboro Technical College; and Bill Rogers, Chamber of Commerce.

At the Wednesday meeting of the Pilot Club of Emanuel County, Tim Hendley was announced the 2007 GOAL (Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership) Winner from Swainsboro Technical College. Leisa Dukes, Swainsboro Technical College Career Services Coordinator, and also the coordinator of the GOAL program, presented Mr. Hendley with her certificate. Bill Rogers, representing the Chamber of Commerce, presented a check from the Chamber to help offset expenses during the competition in Atlanta. Dr. Glenn Deibert, Interim President of Swainsboro Technical College also presented a check from the Swainsboro Technical College Foundation to Mr. Hendley.

The purpose of the GOAL program is to spotlight the importance of technical education in today’s world and to recognize outstanding achievement by students in Georgia’s technical colleges. These students are some of the best the Swainsboro Tech has to offer. From a student population of over 800 it is a significant accomplishment to be nominated. The list of criteria for bring nominated for a GOAL award includes the student’s character, attitude, attendance, leadership ability, and personal involvement in extra-curricular activities.

A goal selection committee from the Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce, a local sponsor for the program, interviewed each of the four finalists. Mr. Hendley was chosen to represent Swainsboro Technical College and our area at the State Goal competition to be held in Atlanta in May. Thirty-four technical college goal winners will compete for prizes that include a new automobile for the State winner.  

Pictured: Participants in Master Timber Harvester Workshop at Swainsboro Technical College

The Center for Forest Business in the University Of Georgia Warnell School Of Forest Resources and Swainsboro Technical College Forest Technology Program hosted the sixth Master Timber Harvester Workshop. Thirty participants attended the two-day Workshop representing twenty-six timber related companies from throughout Georgia. The Customized Training Program was held on the Swainsboro Technical College campus in the state-of-the-art Larry J. (Butch) Parrish Technology Center’s Forest Technology classroom and the Fish & Game Preserve Management lab/classroom.

Rodney Kellum, Swainsboro Tech Forest Technology Instructor said: "We are pleased that the Center for Forest Business has held their sixth MTH program on our campus. Swainsboro Technical College is the only other college where the MTH program is held."

The thirty timber men were welcomed by Susan Cross, Interim Vice President Economic Development: "The recognition of our Forest Technology program selected for this annual event, as well as the ongoing training year round, is a tribute to our Swainsboro Technical College Program."

Joining Donna Gallaher, Program Coordinator for the Center in making presentations were: Al Massey, International Paper; Billy Geier-Rayonier; Bill Guthrie-Weyerhaeuser; Brent Womack-Georgia Department of Natural Resources; Donnie Bradshaw-Soil Scientist; Frank Green- Georgia Forestry Commission; Tony Haynes-OCTS, Inc.; Georgia Department of Public Safety; and Tommy Carroll-Southeastern Wood Producers Association.  

Pictured: (l-r) Emanuel County Sheriff’s officer Lee Arthur Williams, Emanuel County Sheriff’s officer Tony Woods, D Emanuel County Sheriff’s officer Debra Edenfield, Emanuel County Sheriff’s officer Jeanie Woods, Emanuel County Jail Administrator Marty Mercer, Swainsboro Technical College Criminal Justice Instructor Grady Toney, and Swainsboro Technical College Paramedic Instructor Rafe Waters.

Sheriff officers from Emanuel County, along with officers from Toombs County, Jefferson County, Johnson County, Laurens County, Treutlen County, and Candler County, took part in a 80 hour. Basic Jail Officer Training Course at Swainsboro Technical College. The course is mandated by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.

During the training the officers receive instruction in Inmate Medical, Inmate Rights and Grievance Procedures, Self-Defense Tactics, Fingerprinting, and Emergency Procedures, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ( CPR ), along with several other topics. Swainsboro Technical College graduates Jeanie Woods and Debra Edenfield participated in the training which was conducted by the Georgia Sheriff’s Association.

According to Criminal Justice Instructor Grady Toney, "Emanuel County Sheriff Tyson Stevens was very instrumental in helping set-up the training. It was his intention as well as Swainsboro Technical College and The Georgia Sheriff’s Association to make this training more affordable to smaller departments by providing it closer to home."  

Pictured: (l-r) Kyla Clifton from Emanuel County, Jennifer Balkcom from Johnson County, Instructor Ronda Eskew, Instructor Ellen Hendrix, Jodi Gay from Emanuel County, and Torri Jones from Johnson County.

The Swainsboro Technical College practical nursing students held their pinning ceremony on March 19^th, 2007 at 7pm in the Maurice Boatwright auditorium. Mrs. Rhonda Eskew, Nursing Instructor, was the guest speaker and shared the A,B,C’s of nursing as her presentation. The students made a PowerPoint presentation recognizing family and faculty with a presentation of clinical days and each of their unique personalities. Faculty members Ronda Eskew, Kathy Holt, Beth Hendrix, and Ellen Hendrix presented each student with their ceremonial pins that date back to the days of Florence Nightingale, who first honored students with their accomplishments in their achievement in nursing.

The ceremony honored four Winter Quarter graduates who had to maintain at least a C average in a program that required a minimum of 700 class hours and 700 clinical hours. The honorees were Kyla Clifton from Emanuel County, Jennifer Balkcom from Johnson County, Jodi Gay from Emanuel County, and Torri Jones from Johnson County.

Graduates of this program are eligible to take the State Licensure Exam and upon passing will seek employment in area physician's offices, hospitals, nursing homes, State health agencies, home health facilities, and mental health facilities.

The ceremony ended with the graduates reciting the Nursing Pledge and giving the closing prayer.

The honorees gave a special thanks to Hutch Ledford for his assistance with the PowerPoint presentation and sound system during the ceremony; as well as George’s Flower shop for their continued dedication to the student’s lighting of the candelabra.

Family, friends, and faculty were invited to share refreshments with the students after the ceremony was completed.