Jesse Latourrette Named SGTC Student of Excellence

April 30, 2025
Pictured are the SGTC Student of Excellence nominees (seated l-r) Savannah Kendrick, Jesse Latourette, Brandon Ford, Dominique Dillard, Jason Smith, Levi Williams and Jarriel Early, and their nominating instructors (standing l-r) Jason Wisham, David Grant, Brandon Dean, Starlyn Sampson, Charles Christmas, Chase Shannon, and Kevin Beaver.
Pictured are the SGTC Student of Excellence nominees (seated l-r) Savannah Kendrick, Jesse Latourette, Brandon Ford, Dominique Dillard, Jason Smith, Levi Williams and Jarriel Early, and their nominating instructors (standing l-r) Jason Wisham, David Grant, Brandon Dean, Starlyn Sampson, Charles Christmas, Chase Shannon, and Kevin Beaver.

Jesse Latourrette of Williamson recently earned recognition as the South Georgia Technical College overall Student of Excellence for April. Latourrette studies Aviation Maintenance Technology and was nominated by his instructor, David Grant.

“Jesse will check, double-check and re-check all his work,” Grant said of Latourrette. “The aviation industry is in dire need of this right now.”

In accepting the honor, Latourrette thanked his instructors and classmates. “It means a lot coming from a place where I had zero technical experience to being able to come into this school and do what I do now,” he said.

SGTC Student of Excellence Jesse Latourrette (right) with Aviation Maintenance instructor David Grant.
SGTC Student of Excellence Jesse Latourrette (right) with Aviation Maintenance instructor David Grant.

The Student of Excellence is selected based on a number of criteria, including grades, work ethics, participation in clubs and organizations, and amount of program completion. Each month, students from certain divisions selected for that month are nominated for the Student of Excellence award by their instructors.

For April, the top students from transportation programs were recognized, including: Savannah Kendrick of Oglethorpe, Aircraft Structural Technology, nominated by Jason Wisham; Brandon ford of Americus, Automotive Technology, nominated by Brandon Dean; Dominique Dillard of Bainbridge, Auto Collision Repair Technology, nominated by Starlyn Sampson; Jason Smith of Buena Vista, Avionics Maintenance Technology, nominated by Charles Christmas; Levi Williams of Butler, Diesel Equipment Technology, nominated by Chase Shannon; and Jarriel Early of Columbus, Motorsports Vehicle Technology, nominated by Kevin Beaver.

As the winner, Latourrette was awarded with a plaque of recognition, a personal letter of recommendation from SGTC President Dr. John Watford and a $50 check for his accomplishments. Additionally, his name will be displayed on SGTC’s digital marquee as well as inscribed on a plaque in Hicks Hall among previous Student of Excellence winners. Each nominee was awarded with a nomination certificate and an exclusive student of excellence t-shirt.

Registration for Summer semester at South Georgia Technical College is May 20, and classes begin May 22. Apply now at www.southgatech.edu.