Large crowd attends South Georgia Technical College’s 4th annual ‘Light Up Your Future’ event

December 4, 2019
SGTC President Dr. John Watford and his wife, Barbara are shown above with members of the South Georgia Technical College Adult Education Division in front of their lighted display.
SGTC President Dr. John Watford and his wife, Barbara are shown above with members of the South Georgia Technical College Adult Education Division in front of their lighted display.

“Our new family Christmas tradition,” was the way one participant described the South Georgia Technical College’s fourth annual “Light Up Your Future”. Over 1,000 individuals took part in South Georgia Technical College’s “Light Up Your Future” event that featured the campus and its programs of study illuminated with thousands of bright lights.

The event was held in the courtyard between Hicks Hall and the Odom Center on the South Georgia Technical College Americus campus. Each program area was represented in the creative event that promoted the outstanding education and extra-curricular activities offered by South Georgia Tech.

   “This was a great event,” said South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford. “Every year I wonder how our faculty and staff are going to improve upon the year before. And every year, they surprise and amaze me. We have some exceptional instructors that go the extra mile to create fun and exciting displays about the educational opportunities offered here at South Georgia Technical College. This event also allowed South Georgia Tech to give back to the community by hosting a fun as well as informative holiday event. We appreciate all the members of the community who came out to celebrate with us.”

   The showcase of programs and beautiful light displays were second only to the enthusiastic sprint of the South Georgia Tech family, students, and community members who came out to enjoy the event. Each of the individual program divisions such as transportation, personal services, business and computers, and industrial and technical programs were transformed into amazing light displays that highlighted different career opportunities.

   Children’s inflatable slides and games, Santa Claus, musical groups, give-a-ways, and more were all a part of the celebration. The college also waived the $25 application fee to anyone who applied for the Spring Semester which begins January 9th, 2020. Students may come in before that date and apply, test, and register as part of a one-stop application process. South Georgia Tech will also host another registration and orientation session on Monday, January 7th, 2020.

   In the Transportation area, the Caterpillar Heavy Equipment program outlined the large Caterpillar equipment in Christmas lights. The John Deere Agricultural Technology program did the same thing with its large tractors and Diesel and Commercial Truck Driving featured one of the 18-wheel rigs lighted. All of those transportation lighted displays were powered by one of the SGTC CAT electric power generators.

   The automotive programs had a car decked out with lights. The aviation programs had a helicopter wrapped in colorful lights. SGTC’s Aaron’s Rents race car was also centrally featured for the Motorsports program. Fire Science featured the new fire truck donated by the Americus Fire Department and the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice team had a crime scene display set up that featured a melted snowman.

   The business and computer programs had their programs areas set up with lights and holiday wrapping. Adult Education featured a house of educational opportunities encouraging students to make the right choice to continue their education. The health and personal services group had an elf hospital area with lights and different nursing and medical assisting students featured in Christmas attire. The cosmetology group also showcased their wares in bright lights.

   The Air Conditioning and Welding group featured a refrigerated snow man and Culinary Arts had a gingerbread house as well as a cookie and gourmet hot chocolate bar. The SGTC O’team manned the station for Culinary Arts. Santa was on hand for photos with the children and WISK-FM did a live remote. The Furlow Charter School first grade scholars performed Christmas selections along with the Americus-Sumter Jazz Band throughout the night. Blow-up games, give-a-ways, lighted toys, cookies, candy, hot chocolate, and more were all part of the exciting and informative night held especially for the community to enjoy.

    “This was an outstanding event and we hope that the community enjoyed the lights and learned more about the opportunities available at South Georgia Technical College,” said President Watford.

   Photos from the event can be viewed at: https://southgatech.edu/photo/south-georgia-tech-2019-light-up-your-future-event-photos/.

And it is not too late to sign up for Spring Semester which begins January 9th. An special orientation and registration day is planned for January 7th on both the Americus and Crisp County Center campuses. For more information visit the website at: www.southgatech.edu or contact the admissions office at 229-931-2394 in Americus or 229-271-4040 in Cordele.

Members of the South Georgia Technical College Aviation Maintenance faculty are shown above with a lighted helicopter that students work on.
Members of the South Georgia Technical College Aviation Maintenance faculty are shown above with a lighted helicopter that students work on.
The Furlow Charter School first grade scholars performed Christmas favorites at the South Georgia Tech “Light Up Your Future” event.
The Furlow Charter School first grade scholars performed Christmas favorites at the South Georgia Tech “Light Up Your Future” event.
Here is an overall view of the courtyard that was filled with lighted displays featuring many of the programs of study available at South Georgia Technical College.
Here is an overall view of the courtyard that was filled with lighted displays featuring many of the programs of study available at South Georgia Technical College.