South Georgia Technical College hosts ‘Light Up Your Future’ event

The SGTC Air Conditioning Technology group had a snow man lighted up for the event. Here is one of the guests shown with the “snow” man.

Over 500 individuals participated in South Georgia Technical College’s first “Light Up Your Future” event using Christmas Lights to illuminate the programs and opportunities it offers. The event was held in Gailey Park on the South Georgia Technical College Americus campus and each program area was represented in the creative event that promoted the outstanding education and extra-curricular activities offered by South Georgia Tech.
“We wanted to do something fun and creative to promote what South Georgia Technical College has to offer in the way of outstanding educational opportunities,” said South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford. “We also wanted to give back to the community by hosting an event that would be fun and informative. This was an excellent way for the community to come out and meet the instructors, find out the process of getting into college, and actually see how simple it is to fill out an application,” explained Watford.
“And once again, the South Georgia Technical College team came through in stellar fashion when asked to step outside the norm or think outside the box and do something creative,” said President Watford. “The ‘Light Up Your Future’ event was an incredible success. The showcase of programs and beautiful light displays were only second 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. The South Georgia Tech Lady Jets also put up a display along with the different clubs and organizations on campus that students can participate in.
The college waived the $25 application fee to anyone who applied for the Spring Semester which begins January 9th, 2017. 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 Thursday, January 5th, 2017.
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.
The automotive programs had a car decked out as Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh and the aviation programs had an F-22 pulling Santa in a sleigh. SGTC’s Aaron’s Rents race car was also centrally featured.
The business and computer programs had their programs areas set up with lights and holiday wrapping. Adult Education featured an open book to encourage individuals to learn to read and sign up for GED classes. The health and personal services group had an ambulance lighted in Christmas lights and different nursing and medical assisting tools featured in Christmas attire. The cosmetology group also showcased their wares in bright lights.
The electronics group had a Christmas tree decorated in just light bulbs and individuals were asked to guess the number of lights on the tree for a drawing for a free gift. The Air Conditioning group featured a refrigerated snow man.
Culinary Arts had a display of gingerbread houses that the students had made and decorated as well as a cookie and gourmet hot chocolate bar. The SGTC O’team helped man the station for Culinary Arts.
Santa was on hand for photos with the children and Christmas music was playing courtesy of WISK-FM. The Americus-Sumter Jazz Band, the Americus High School Chorus, the Union Tabernacle Angelic Voices of Praise and the Friendship Baptist Church Male Chorus all performed during the event.
“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.