After two rounds of interviews Sierra Ely was named Wiregrass Georgia Technical College’s 2018 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership winner.  Sierra started her college career in the Dual Enrollment program at Wiregrass while a high school student at Fitzgerald High School. During her senior year she set her career goals on becoming an EMT.  This was after touring the Coffee Campus and seeing the new Allied Health classroom and lab which includes an ambulance simulator. “I decided on a technical college, specifically the Coffee Campus at Wiregrass because of the reputation that preceded the program and its instructor was one of upmost praise and confidence. The college from staff to instructors worked with me every step of the way to ensure I got the best they have to offer and was prepared to enter the classroom,” shared Ely.
 
Having been enrolled in the college’s Dual Enrollment classes, Sierra felt she was prepared for the EMS classes she’s taking now.  She was able to enter the program having already taken her college core classes in while in high school.
 
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 22 technical colleges as well as one Board of Regents college with a technical education division.
 
Ely competed against 23 nominees from Wiregrass’ four campuses in Valdosta, Douglas, Fitzgerald, and Sparks before being named as one of the top four nominees, and now college winner.  The runners-up were Monique Carter, Associate of Science in Nursing; Ryan Mathis, Business Management; and Olivia Gilliland, Auto Collision Repair.
 
Sierra was nominated by her EMS Instructor, Richard Rhodes.  “I nominated Sierra as our GOAL representative because her personal motivation is wonderful as well as her ability to motivate others around her.  Her work ethics are second to none along with her strong leadership skills and time management.  Since joining the program she has created an intra-class study group, organized numerous classroom files, and consistently leads her peers by example all while maintaining an “A” average and being elected an officer in the Student Government Association,” shared Rhodes.
 
Ely will now advance to regional judging in late February. In April, she will learn if she is one of the nine state finalists.  A panel of leaders from the business, industry and government sectors will interview them and choose one to be the 2018 State GOAL winner and the recipient of the GOAL medallion. The grand prize also includes a new car, courtesy of KIA, the statewide corporate sponsor of the GOAL program.
 
Sierra shared, “"This is such an amazing honor and privilege! I am so eager to not just further compete but continue sharing my story and how much my college has done and is continuing to do for me!"