Four students from Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) have been chosen as finalists for the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL). The finalists are Sara Gunnels from Rome, Nakesia Thomas from Rome, Robert Branum from Ringgold, and Josue Lopez from Calhoun, each representing different programs and campuses.

GOAL recognizes outstanding academic and leadership achievements among Georgia’s technical college students, with winners selected at each of the 22 colleges. The finalists will undergo a second round of judging by community leaders, where one will be named GNTC’s 2025 GOAL winner.

The winner will be announced at the luncheon on January 28, and will go on to compete at the regional and state levels, where the state winner will serve as an ambassador and receive a new car from Kia Motors.