Pictured: (l-r) Tony Criswell, SkillsUSA Advisor; Richard Hammock, National Winner; and Larry Calhoun, President of Swainsboro Technical College

Richard Hammock, Swainsboro Technical College student in the Industrial Electrical Technology program, won second place, silver medal, in the Related Technical Math competition at the National Leadership and Skills Conference for SkillsUSA in Kansas City, Missouri. He previously won first place, gold medal, at the Georgia SkillsUSA state competition in Dublin. Richard is the second student of Swainsboro Technical College to place at the National level and the first silver medalist. He is from Johnson County.

The SkillsUSA Championships is the national-level competition for public high school and college/postsecondary technical students enrolled in trade, technical, and skilled service profession instructional programs including allied health occupations. SkillsUSA organizes this event, and it is considered the single greatest day of industry volunteerism in America every year at an estimated cost of more than $30 million. Each SkillsUSA Championships contestant is a state-level gold medalist.

Begun in 1967, the SkillsUSA Championships has grown from 54 competitors in three contests to more than 5,000 competitors in 87 hands-on skill and leadership contests this year. SkillsUSA adds contests to the SkillsUSA Championships to meet the demands of new and expanding occupations. One hundred and thirty different occupational areas are represented by SkillsUSA affiliated instructional programs.

"It was a great experience," stated Richard Hammock. "I really appreciate the opportunity to represent Swainsboro Technical College and am extremely proud of the Silver Medal."

Pictured: Linda W. Whitfield

Dr. Richard Thornton, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Swainsboro Technical College, announced that Linda Whitfield has been named as Swainsboro Technical College’s Administrative/Business Office Technology Instructor as of July 9, 2007.

Mrs. Whitfield graduated from Swainsboro High School and received a diploma from Swainsboro Technical College in the Accounting Program. She holds an Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration from East Georgia College, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education from Georgia Southern University, and a Master of Business Education Degree from Georgia Southern University.

Prior to coming to Swainsboro Technical College, she taught Technology and Accounting at David Emanuel Academy.

Mrs. Whitfield lives in Stillmore with her husband Wayne, co-owner of Stillmore Poultry. They have two children: Blake, a junior at Georgia Southern University, and Blair, a sophomore at David Emanuel Academy.

"It is an exciting experience to have the opportunity to teach in the institution that I attended as a student," commented Mrs. Whitfield. "There have been a lot of changes but the learning atmosphere is still as great as I remember it; and everyone continues to work to help the students."

Dr. Thornton stated, "We are fortunate to have someone as qualified as Linda in this position. I am sure that she will do a great job."

Pictured:(l-r) (seated) Capers "Rocky" Brazzell from Emanuel County, Kate Holt from Jefferson County, Robin Humphrey from Emanuel County, Shelly Moore from Emanuel County, Robyn Cumbee from Emanuel County, Morgan Walker from Laurens County. (standing) Michelle Harris from Treutlen County, Instructor Mary Hill, Instructor Beth Hendrix, Instructor Angie Headley, Instructor Kathy Holt, Instructor Ellen Hendrix, Terri Johnson from Emanuel County

The Swainsboro Technical College practical nursing students held their pinning ceremony on June 14, 2007 in the Maurice Boatwright auditorium. Mrs. Mary Jo Greenway was the quest speaker for the evening. The students made a Power Point presentation recognizing family and faculty with a presentation of clinical days and each of their unique personalities. Faculty members Ellen Hendrix, Kathy Holt, Beth Hendrix, Angie Headley and Shannon Veal 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 eight Spring 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 Capers "Rocky" Brazzell, Robyn Conley Cumbee, Robin Humphrey, Terri Johnson and Shelly Moore all of Emanuel County. Michelle Harris from Treutlen County, Kate Holt from Jefferson County, Morgan Walker from Laurens 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.

Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) Agency of East Central Georgia of Swainsboro Technical College will conduct a ‘This Small Space" Workshop on July 17 at Swainsboro Technical College’s Satellite Campus located off Industrial Parkway in Soperton from 6:30pm-8:30pm.

The workshop will provide information to providers about how to arrange different centers within their facility to promote learning and play among children. Also, ideas for activities in each of the centers will be discussed. All in attendance will receive 2 State Accepted credit hours for this workshop.

There is a $5.00 fee. Pre-registration is required by July 12 and child care will not be provided.

Anyone wanting to pre-register or in need of additional information should contact Tonya at 1-877-495-9188 in Swainsboro or Isabel at 1-800-300-2316 in Dublin.  

Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) Agency of East Central Georgia of Swainsboro Technical College is offering a Nutrition Workshop for child care providers on July 23 from

6:30pm-8:30pm at the Wayne County Extension Office located on 1900 Sunset Blvd in Jesup.

Participants will receive instruction on how to prepare balanced, nutritional meals and the proper procedures for handling food during the process. Pre-registration is required by July 18 and there is a $5.00 registration fee. All in attendance will receive 2 State-Accepted credit hours for this workshop.

You may pre-register and receive additional information by contacting Tonya at 1-877-495-9188 or Isabel at 1-800-300-2316