Nearly 200 individuals earned the right to be recognized at the South Georgia Technical College’s Spring 2026 commencement ceremony Thursday, May 7, at 6 p.m. in the James S. Peters Gymnasium on the Americus campus in front of a capacity crowd.
One hundred and sixteen students earned an Associate of Applied Science degree while another 94 were recognized for earning a diploma in their field of study. Four students were recognized for a technical certificate of credit. Eighteen students qualified as a Presidential Honor graduate with a 3.9 or higher-grade point average (GPA) while twenty-four others captured the title of Honor graduate with a 3.7 to 3.89 GPA. Nine National Technical Honor Society members were also recognized.
SGTC President Dr. John Watford and Vice President for Academic Affairs Julie Partain presided over the graduation ceremony and introduced Rev. Michael Coley from the SGTC Board of Directors to give the invocation.
President Watford welcomed graduates and their families and recognized special guests. Jake Everett of the SGTC local Board of Directors, introduced the keynote speaker for the evening, South Georgia Technical College Early Childhood Care and Education Student Keyara Williams, the SGTC 2026 GOAL (Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership) student.
In her brief talk to graduates and their family members, Williams congratulated the graduates and stated, “I am inspired by ever single graduate here. I’ve come to realize that investing in yourself and those around you is no small feat.
“You have paved your own path so that you may walk in as much greatness as the good Lord allows. Remember all the days you somehow managed to get you schoolwork done, your bills paid, and your life in order. Remember being uncertain about what you would do with your life, but now you have successfully prepared yourself for your future. Take a moment to clap for yourselves and acknowledge all of the hard work you put in to reach this point,” said Williams.
“You proved not only to others, but to yourself, that you could do this. You DID do this. You will nowgo off into the world of work and make a name for yourself in your respective fields. And some of you may even further your education after this, which is a beautiful thing. Don’t be afraid. Commit and remember your ‘Why.’ Stay grounded. Stay determined. Be disciplined. I am very proud of each of you and I am proud to know that I am surrounded by such greatness. I pray you all reap the fruits of your labor and remember your time here!”
After Williams’s address, President Watford and Vice President for Academic Affairs Julie Partain presented the diplomas to the graduates. One hundred and sixteen students received an Associate of Applied Science degree and 94 diplomas were awarded.
SGTC students who earned the distinction of graduating as Presidential Honor graduates and their respective fields of study included: Accounting (Diploma) Jennifer D. Heath of Leesburg and Angela Horne Rivers of Richland; Agricultural Technology (AAS Degree) Katie Elizabeth Price of Abbeville, AL; Automotive Technology (Diploma) Javarious Gabriel Anderson of Americus and Kendall Levi Phillips of Ellaville; Business Technology (Diploma) Judy C. Glover of Americus; Criminal Justice Technology (Diploma) Lamikia Green; Culinary Arts (AAS and Diploma)Tera Rae Parker of Oglethorpe and Jack Joseph Saunders of Leslie; Electronics Technology (Diploma) Phillip Anthony Quillope of Buensa Vista and Cameron Gary Wilson of Snellville; Electrical Power Generation Dealer Service Technology (AAS) Jack Beal of Clinton, TN; and Emma Foley of Kimberly, AL; Heavy Equipment Dealer Service Technology (AAS) Jacob Cole Bellamy of Blountville, TN; and Daniel Dingler of Blountville, AL; Horticulture (AAS Degree and Diploma) Felicia Ann McKenney of Box Springs; Technical Studies, Electrical Construction Technology and Electrical Systems Technology (AAS Degree and Diploma) Christopher McKenney of Box Springs; and Technical Studies and Welding and Joining Technology (AAS Degree and Diploma) Margaux Howard of Americus.
SGTC students who earned the distinction of graduating as Honor graduates (3.70 – 3.89 GPA) and their respective fields of study included: Agricultural Technology (AAS) Riley Tresten McBride of Section, AL and Matias Agustin Degaudenzi of St. Augustine, FL; Allied Health Professions (AAS) Brittany Sims of Americus; Automotive Technology (Diploma) Kevin Deante Ray of Cordele; Business Technology (Diploma) Rosa Marie Sipp of Vienna and Kimolyn Tayer of Cordele; Computer Support Specialist (AAS Degree and Diploma) Edward Charles Faust of Preston; Early Childhood Care and Education (AAS and Diploma) Alyssa Danielle Coston of Americus; Early Childhood Care and Education (Diploma) Nyeisha La’Shay Leggett of Buena Vista; Electrical Construction Technology and Electrical Systems Technology (Diploma) Alan Brooks Cannon of Sylvester and Evan J. Mobley of Buena Vista; Electrical Power Generation Dealer Service Technology (AAS) Thomas Grant Countiss of Knoxville, TN; Noah Lee Hopkins of Clover, SC; Charlie Patrick Mize of Mt. Holly, NC: and Dallas Ontivreros of Mooresville, NC;
Heavy Equipment Dealer Service Technology (AAS) Bailey Hope Battle of Summerville; Nicholas Bunting of Ocean Springs, Reagan Elizabeth Ann Byerly of Knoxville, TN; Cole Ellis Crews of Birmingham, AL; Landon Clay Curry of Brandon, MS: and Gavin Josua Dabrowski of Friendsville, TN; Sports and Fitness Management (AAS and Diploma) Dwight Brown of Conyers; and Welding and Joining Technology (Diploma) Alfonso Alejandro Gonzalez of Cordele, and Heath Allen Harrelson of Albany.
Nine students earned the distinction of being included in the National Technical Honor Society. Those students included: Jack Beal of Clinton, TN; Emma Foley of Kimberly, AL; Lamikia Green, Evan J. Mobley of Buena Vista; Dallas Ontivreros of Mooresville, NC: Tera Rae Parker of Oglethorpe; Kendall Levi Phillips of Ellaville, Brittany Nicole Sims of Americus, and Cameron Gary Wilson of Snellville.
One hundred and sixteen students earned Associate of Applied Science degrees and those students and their programs of study included: Accounting, Angela Horne Rivers Richland, Agricultural Technology, Mason Lee Boocock of Ocala, FL; Braylon A. Burton of Fort Mitchell, AL; Ruben Castaneda-Santibanez of Okeechobee, FL; Devon Malik Clarke of Albany; Miles Darley Cundiff of Bainbridge; Matias Agustin Degaudenzi of St. Augustine, FL; Kamden David Donaho of McAlpine, FL; Jon Henry David Ellis of Ochlocknee; Connor Michael Gillard of Fort Pierce; Wesley Phenix Griffin of Troy, AL; Logan Seth Guinn of Chappells, SC; Tristan Harvell of Bainbridge; Ryan O’Neal Heard of Alabaster, AL; Riley Tresten McBride of Section, AL; Charles Ethan Paul of Phenix City, AL; Dakota Haywood Ormond Philpot of Lake City, F: Gabriel Keith Price of Oneonta, AL; Katie Elizabeth Price of Abbeville, AL; Eli Douglass Sanders of Paint Rock, AL; Connor Reid Smith of Cullman, AL; and Ethan Michael Stalvey of Jakin; Air Conditioning Technology, Jamarcus Antwan Stone; Allied Health Professions, Trelisha Shanta Banks of Americus; Donna L. Brown of Americus; Cadeidra Shantrell Crumbley, Candis Samone Davis of Unadilla; Keleisha Dowdell of Americus; Haiely Erica Dunford of Americus; Kambi Gardner of Buena Vista; Victoria Getman of Americus; Anna Elizabeth Granville of Cordele; Aleia Harper of Cordele; Rashuna Javonne Harris of Warner Robins; Alyssa Edwards Harvey of Pineview, Yawnita Harvey of Americus; Kiauna Shaniah Jones of Cordele, Calandra Shanetta Jowers of Plains, Nayana Jowers of Americus, Taleisha Kinder of Kathleen, Iesha Moore of Cordele, Danielle Nicole Murphy of Plains, Aderica Latrice Ross of Americus; Daveta Royal of Cordele, Shecovia Sharon Salvage of Cordele, Shana Michelle Sellers of Americus, Lily Elizabeth Shepard of Cordele, Brittany Nicole Sims of Americus, and Tammy Wynette Warren of Bonaire; Business Technology, Andrew James Cranford of Vienna; Alicia Renee English of Americus, and Kaylee Holmes of Arabi; Computer Support Specialist, Edward Charles Faust of Preston and Ian Gregory Stewart of Lumpkin; Criminal Justice Technology, Alexis Mercedes Dawson of Montezuma, Calvin Hodge, Jr., of Leesburg, Makihya Iyanna Lewis of Toomsboro, Kobri Dalana Mapp of Stone Mountain, Alexeus Mercer of Americus; Lisa Marie Reynolds of Atlanta; and Kacey Lee Rivers of Arabi; Culinary Arts, Kimberlae Unique McMillan of Helena, Tera Rae Parker of Oglethorpe, Jack Joseph Saunders of Leslie, and Brenda Lee Shiloh of Cordele; Cybersecurity, Ke’Torrian Ty’Keyveious Reddick; Drafting Technology,
Paul Franklyn Pierce of Manchester; Early Childhood Care & Education, Alyssa Danielle Coston of Americus, Ja’Layshia Zymia Daniels of Cordele, Quatavious Tyshaun Hall of Americus, Sandra Banks Lowery of Montezuma, Darion La’Trell Mitchell of Americus, Rebecca Noud Parks of Americus; and Miriam Rountree of McDonough; Electrical Power Generation Dealer Service Technology, Jack Beal of Clinton, AL; Thomas Grant Countiss of Knoxville, TN; Emma Foley of Kimberly, AL; Noah Lee Hopkins of Clover, SC; Charlie Patrick Mize of Mt. Holly, NC: Dallas Ontiveros of Mooresville, NC; and Bradley Chapman Watkins of Lexington, SC; Electronics Technology, Buster Clifton Lee of Brunswick; Heavy Equipment Dealer Service Technology; Bailey Hope Battle of Summerville, Jacob Cole Bellamy of Blountville, TN, Nicholas Bunting of Ocean Springs, Reagan Elizabeth Ann Byerly of Knoxville, TN; Cole Ellis Crews of Birmingham, AL; Landon Clay Curry of Brandon, MS; Gavin Joshua Dabrowski of Friendsville, TN; Daniel Dingler of Blountsville, AL; Kolby Edwards of Lookout Mountain, Colton Wiley Hankins of Menlo, Seth Lee Harper of Brandon, MS; Romie Douglas Humphres of Northport, AL; Hayden Ryder Stephens of Petal, MS; Rylee Elijah Stepens of Ellaville, Morgan Lewis Taylor of Kingston, TN; Wyatt Uthoff of Florence, MS: Draven Gage Wheeler of Chattanooga, TN; and Jacob Austin Wheeler of Chelsea, AL; Horticulture, Felicia Ann McKenney of Box Springs; Networking Specialist, Eren Brown of Sumner, Eric Gooden of Loganville, Jasmyne La’Precious Hamrick of Middleburg, FL, and Timothy Solomon of Oglethorpe; Sports and Fitness Management, Marc Ferdy Angeki Ekirir, Taja Ranae Bennett of Cedar Hill, TX; Dwight Brown of Conyers; Jaidyn Camille Elam of Pontiac MI, Jada Ranae Jones of Tamarac, FL; Clark Avery Mastin of Conyers, and Matt William Mbole Akono of Americus; and Technical Studies, Margaux Howard of Americus, Christopher McKenney of Box Springs, Robert Lee Sturgeon of Americus; Michael Dylan Taylor of Ellaville, and Jonathan David Thomas of Albany.
Ninety-four students were awarded diplomas and those students and their programs of study included: Accounting –Jennifer D. Heath of Leesburg; Air Conditioning – Carlton Terell Plant of Centerville, and Jamarcus Antwan Stone of Americus; Aircraft Structural Technology – Thomarion Que’wann Haugabook of Montezuma, DaQuaylon Tytravius Joiner of Montezuma, and Mariah Howell Meja; Auto Collision Repair – John Anthony Martin of Americus and Cordellius Solomon of Americus; Automotive Technology – Javarious Garbiel Anderson of Americus, Trentyn Anthony Shemar Colbert of Americus, Lucas Aaron Howard of Americus, Landon McCrary of Leesburg, and Shernan James McCray of Conyers, Kendall Levi Phillips of Ellaville, Crawford Bernard Pride, Jr. of Americus, Kevin Deante Ray of Cordele,KaRon Makayle Washington-Jackson of Decatur, Gabriel Williams of Albany, and Abel Zunun of Vienna; Business Technology – Alicia Renee English of Americus; Judy C. Glover of Americus, Brandye Hunt of Cordele, Cassey Nichole McFarland of Pitts, Ronald Isaiah Murphy, Cameron Monroe Polk of Americus, Bianca Porter of Kathleen, Rosa Marie Sipp of Vienna, Nigel Arrianne Smith of Montezuma, Kimoyn Taylor of Cordele, Korbyn Sade Willock of Americus;
Computer Support Specialist – Edward Charles Faust of Preston and Ian Gregory Steward of Lumpkin; Criminal Justice Technology – Alexis Mercedes Dawson of Montezuma, Calvin Hodge, Jr., of Leesburg, Makihya Iyanna Lewis of Toomsboro, Kobri Daiana Mapp of Stone Mountain, and Kacey Lee Rivers of Richland; Culinary Arts – Kimberlae Unique McMillan of Helena, Tera Rae Parker of Oglethorpe, and Jack Joseph Saunders of Leslie; Cybersecurity –A’Neya Kalee Mack of Plains; Drafting – Paul Franklyn Pierce of Manchester; Early Childhood Education –Alyssa Danielle Coston of Americus, Jaelyn Jakirah Golden of Americus, Quatavious Tyshaun Hall of Americus, Jasmine Kaneesha Henry of Montezuma, Aneesha Tamara Howell of Butler, Amber Nichole Jones of Cordele, Nyeisha La’Shay Leggett of Buena Vista, Vivian Royal Mercer of Cordele, Darion La’Trell Mitchell of Americus, Rebecca Noud Parks of Americus, and Miriam Rountree of McDonough; Electrical Construction Technology – Justin Daquan Baker of Americus, Alan Brooks Cannon of Sylvester, Evan J. Mobley of Buena Vista, and Michael Dylan Taylor of Ellaville; Electrical Systems Technology – Justin Daquan Baker of Americus, Alan Brooks Cannon of Sylvester, Evan J. Mobley of Buena Vista, and Michael Dylan Taylor of Ellaville; Horticulture– Felicia Ann McKenney of Box Springs, and Cory Ahmaad Shelley of Oglethorpe; Medical Assisting – Valayshia Burke of Vienna, Tyrisha L. Garvin of Americus, and Haley Jean Varnum of Americus; Networking Specialist – Kenneth Cortner Bennett of Conyers, Eren Brown of Sumner, and Ellusion Combs of Americus; Precision Machining & Manufacturing – Riley Eric De Maso of Mauk and Gabriel Donell Norton of Oglethorpe; Sports and Fitness Management –Jada Renae Jones of Tamarac, FL; Jarmal Jones of Conley, Clark Avery Mastin of Conyers, and Matt William Mbole Akono of Americus; and Welding and Joining Technology – Alijah LeDre Davis of Leesburg, Alfonso alejandro Gonzalez of Cordele, Heath Allen Harrelson of Albany, Margaux Howard of Americus, Anthony Antron Lewis of Cordele, Jasmin Maldonado Vazquez of Unadilla, James Champ Marshall of Ellaville, Evelyn Catalina Perez of Macon, Bryce James Protho of Preston, and Jackson Alexander Smith of Vienna.
Four Technical Certificate of Credits were awarded: Cosmetology for Licensure - Alicia Jo Knight of Montezuma and Master Barber – Damon Gabiel Brown of Americus, Mary Ann Medlock Reiselbara of Plains, and Demarco Rendell Witchard of Americus.
After each graduate had received their award, Vice President of Academic Affairs Julie Partain declared to President Watford that the graduates had completed the requirements for graduation as set forth by the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG).
Afterwards, the graduates recessed to the music of Pomp and Circumstance. Photos from the graduation ceremony can be found on the South Georgia Technical College website: www.southgatech.edu in the photo gallery section and on the college’s Facebook page.
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford is shown above presenting SGTC Police Chief Calvin Hodge, Jr., of Leesburg with his associate degree in Criminal Justice.
Dr. John Watford is shown above presenting Robert Sturgeon of Americus with his associate degree in technical studies.