Georgia Northwestern Technical College has selected three students as its finalists for the 2026 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL), according to GOAL program coordinator Trish Wiggins. The finalists are Brittney Elrod of Ringgold (Business Management, Catoosa County Campus, nominated by Dr. Dwight Watt), Latasha Fluker of Rome (Marketing Management, Floyd County Campus, nominated by Mark Upton), and Noelia Sargento of Rossville (Business Management, Walker County Campus, nominated by Tracy Gentry).

Wiggins said the GOAL program recognizes some of the college’s top students each year. GOAL is a statewide Technical College System of Georgia program that honors excellence in academics and leadership across Georgia’s technical colleges, with each school selecting its own winner.

Next, the three GNTC finalists will advance to a second round of judging through the Rome Floyd Chamber, where a panel of business, civic, and industry leaders will interview and evaluate the students and select one as GNTC’s 2026 GOAL winner. The winner will be announced at the GOAL and Rick Perkins Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, Jan. 27, in Rome, an event hosted by GNTC, the Rome Floyd Chamber, and the Seven Hills Rotary Club.

After that, each college GOAL winner moves on to regional judging, with three regional finalists selected to compete in the state GOAL competition. The state winner serves as the student ambassador for the Technical College System of Georgia and makes appearances throughout the year, including visits with state leaders. Kia Motors, the statewide corporate sponsor of GOAL, will award a new automobile to the state GOAL winner.