GNTC names semifinalists for 2021 GOAL award
Restore 6:34 offers housing, Bible studies, life skills
From Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Four Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) students have been selected as the college’s semifinalists for the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL), according to Trish Wiggins, coordinator for the college’s GOAL program.
Listed are students chosen as semi-finalists for the GOAL award showing (from left to right) the student’s name, program of study, GNTC campus and nominating instructor:
♦ Brittany Wattenbarger, Cybersecurity, Catoosa County Campus, Dwight Watt
♦ Tressa Brown, Business
Management, Floyd County Campus, Brittany Cochran
♦ Jose Gonzalez, Marketing Management, Floyd County Campus, Mark Upton
♦ Stephanie Kuhrt, Marketing Management, Floyd County Campus, Mark Upton
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. GOAL winners are selected at each of the state’s 22 technical colleges.
“We have four outstanding students who were chosen as finalists this year and each one has a different, but amazing story,” said Wiggins. “I look forward to the next round, as I am certain these four will represent GNTC and TCSG well. I have no doubt, whoever is chosen as the winner will do an excellent job as the GNTC GOAL Student of the Year.”
According to Wiggins, a screening committee of administrators at GNTC selected the four semi-finalists from students nominated by their instructors.
The four semifinalists will advance to a second round of judging with the Rome Floyd Chamber. A panel of business, civic and industry leaders from the community will virtually interview and evaluate the students and select one to be the college’s 2021 GOAL winner.
The student judged most outstanding will be announced at the GOAL and Rick Perkins Awards Luncheon on Thursday, March 25, at GNTC’s Gordon County Campus.
All college GOAL winners will compete in regional judging, which will include students from the other TCSG colleges. Three finalists from the region will be named and will compete in the state GOAL competition.
The state GOAL winner becomes the student ambassador for the Technical College System of Georgia. They will make many public appearances throughout the year, including addresses to the Georgia General Assembly, the Governor and other TCSG functions.
Kia Motors is awarding a new automobile to the state GOAL winner.
A new non-profit organization in the LaFayette area offers formerly incarcerated women shelter, life-skills training and Christ-centered discipleship.
Restore 6:34 provides secure drug-free shelter, food and clothing for residents for three to 15 months. Residents participate in Bible studies and life skills classes, including finance and budgeting, parenting, anger management, nutrition and health, gardening and work preparation. Jan Burgess, co-di
rector, said residents even have daily chores and laundry and will be required to find employment.
“Restore 6:34 uses the Bible to compassionately disciple the whole woman, supporting transformation from bondage to a lifestyle free in Christ,’’ Donna Dean,
co-director, said.
“Our focus is on the person as a whole, creating a new normal in a resident’s life,” Dean said. “Our vision is an environment of compassion centered around a biblical perspective. We want to help women renew their thinking through the power of God’s word and the support of a community of believers in Jesus Christ.”
The ministry provides a 12-step program, along with substance abuse counseling, and residents report to parole and probation officers as required.
Retired educator Dean founded Restore 6:34 in 2017. She started leading Bible studies for women in the Walker County jail in 2015.
Burgess, who is retired from the corporate world, said she and Dean noted the number of women who got out of jail only to fall back into their former habits and relationships, thereby landing them back in jail. These women needed a landing pad where they could readjust to life after jail and get support services to break the cycle of abuse and addiction that lead to recidivism.
“This ministry is desperately needed due to the high recidivism rate in the Walker, Catoosa, Dade, Chattooga, and Hamilton counties among women who have been incarcerated,” according to the ministry’s website.
The ministry derived its name from biblical passage Mark 6:34, “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.’’
Residents must pass a drug screening to be admitted and will be subject to random drug testing. The ministry is not a medical facility and does not perform drug detoxification, Burgess said.
Restore 6:34 purchased a house in an undisclosed location in the LaFayette area about two years ago, and the team has been working on it since then to prepare it for residents, she said. The pilot program has three residents now and a waiting list.
The house will accommodate up to six residents currently; eventually, the structure will be adapted to house as many as 10-12 residents, she said.
Restore 6:34 is supported by special events, individual donations, corporate sponsorships and private grants. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all contributions are tax-deductible.