It took the last name to be called for Trey Cureton, a Radiologic Technology student at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College to learn he was one of the top nine finalists in the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership in Atlanta.

The announcement was made at the Technical College System of Georgia’s GOAL and Rick Perkins Award Conference held in Atlanta April 22-23.  Cureton was one of twenty-six students from across the state of Georgia’s Technical Colleges named as a finalist. Cureton was named Wiregrass’ GOAL student back in January.  He was one of 32 students from Wiregrass nominated for GOAL. 

Each college winner competed in the regional interviews in February to determine who would be the three to represent each region.  After being named one of the finalists Cureton, along with the other finalists, was interviewed by another panel of judges from across the state.  Stephanie Jackson of Georgia Piedmont Technical College was named the 2015 state GOAL winner and the recipient of the new car awarded by Chevrolet, the statewide corporate sponsor of the GOAL program.

GOAL, a statewide program of the Technical College System of Georgia, honors excellence in academics and leadership among the state’s technical college students.  Local GOAL winners are selected at each of the state’s 25 technical colleges as well as one Board of Regents college with a technical education division. 

Cureton received a trophy for being named as one of the top finalists along with an ipad, and a $26,000 scholarship to DeVry University.

Trey shared this about his experience, “It was an extraordinary experience. It’s funny, I thought I was going to Atlanta to compete, to join the fray, but it felt more like a fellowship and a celebration for our accomplishments. I made some lifelong connections, had some unforgettable moments and enjoyed every moment of my time there.”

Trey is from Hahira, Georgia and attends the Valdosta campus of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College.