South Georgia Technical College hosts Spring 2025 commencement ceremony
Nearly 200 individuals earned the right to be recognized at the South Georgia Technical College’s Spring 2025 commencement ceremony Thursday, May 8, at 6 p.m. in the James S. Peters Gymnasium on the Americus campus in front of a capacity crowd.
Ninety students earned an Associate of Applied Science degree while another 106 were recognized for earning a diploma in their field of study. Sixteen students qualified as a Presidential Honor graduate with a 3.9 or higher-grade point average (GPA) while twenty-nine others captured the title of Honor graduate with a 3.7 to 3.89 GPA. Twenty-two 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.
A large crowd attended the SGTC Spring 2025 graduation ceremony recently in the James S. Peters gymnasium.
President Watford welcomed graduates and their families and recognized special guests. Jake Everett, Chair of the SGTC local Board of Directors, introduced the keynote speaker for the evening, South Georgia Technical College Criminal Justice student Barbara Chestnut, who is the SGTC 2025 GOAL (Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership) student and an honor graduate.
In her brief talk to graduates and their family members, Chestnut congratulated the graduates and stated, “thank you for being here to celebrate this milestone. It is an incredible honor to stand here before you as this year’s GOAL student. I accept this recognition not just for myself, but on behalf of every classmate who worked long honors, balanced jobs and family, overcame obstacles, and still showed up-ready to learn, ready to grow, and ready to build a better future.
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford is shown above with presenting Ouida Frances Carr of Cordele with her associate degree in Early Childhood Care and Education.
“Today we don’t just graduate – we launch. We step into industries that need our skill, our passion, and our leadership. Let’s take everything that we have learned here and build something better for ourselves, for our communities, and for the next generation,” said Chestnut.
“When many people think of a college experience, they imagine ivy-covered walls and lecture halls. But technical college tells a different story – one of grit, determination, and real-world skills. We are welders, IT specialists, nurses, electricians, automotive techs, entrepreneurs – and more. We don’t just dream. We build. We fix. We heal. We innovate. Every early morning class, every late-night study session, every time we thought “I can’t do this,” and did it anyway, brought us here. And that’s something no one can ever take away from us.”
Dr. John Watford is shown above presenting Selvin Aroneo Ramirez Jeronimo of Vienna with his Air Conditioning Technology diploma.
Chestnut also thanked South Georgia Technical College’s administration and faculty and staff for their support of the students, especially her instructor, Teresa McCook. She also recognized the family members who helped support the graduates to be able to reach this milestone.
After Chestnut’s address, President Watford and Vice President for Academic Affairs Julie Partain presented the diplomas to the graduates. Ninety students received an Associate of Applied Science degree and 104 diplomas were awarded.
SGTC students who earned the distinction of graduating as Presidential Honor graduates and their respective fields of study included: Accounting (Diploma) Hayleigh Jones of Americus; Agricultural Technology (AAS Degree) Evan Scott Drury of Albany; Air Conditioning Technology (Diploma) Selvin Aroneo Ramirez Jeronimo of Vienna; Business Technology (AAS Degree) Shemara Lurenda Fields of Vienna; Business Technology (Diploma) Amber S. Rexroat of Vienna; Criminal Justice Technology (AAS Degree and Diploma) Jade Nichole Banks of Americus; Early Childhood Care and Education (AAS Degree and Diploma) Kristin Nicole Keen of Cordele; Early Childhood Care and Education (AAS Degree) Caitlin Marie Ragusa of Plains; Electrical Power Generation Dealer Service Technology (AAS) Wyatte David Lee Davis of Corryton, TN; and Connor Wesson Stephens of Semmes, AL; Heavy Equipment Dealer Service Technology (AAS) Blake William Carroll of Hoover, AL; Lane Randall Parton of Lincolnton, GA; Ryan Gino Roman of Lawrenceville, GA; and Joey Glen Sheffey of Knoxville, TN; Horticulture (AAS Degree and Diploma) Cassandra M. Williams of Perry; and Sports and Fitness Management (AAS Degree and Diploma) Maria Izabel Favero of Cascovel Parana, Brazil.
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) Jacob T. Harrison of Whigham; Tommy Colt Henderson of Waycross; and Garrett Roberson of Saint Johns, FL; Auto Collision Repair (Diploma) Corey Antonio Fulks of Oglethorpe; Automotive Technology (Diploma) Jesus Morales Hernandez, Jr. of Americus; Donovan Sage Robertson of Albany, and Gabrielle Alexus Wade of Dawson; Business Technology (AAS and Diploma) Jessica Lashae Felton of Cordele; Marissa Monts Hill of Americus; and Temperance Ingram of Americus; Criminal Justice Technology (AAS and Diploma) Barbara Ann Chestnut of Mauk;
It was a great day for the SGTC graduates and their families.
Culinary Arts (AAS and Diploma) Naja Aziyah Lindsay of Decatur; Culinary Arts (Diploma) Justin Bernard Smith of Cordele; Cybersecurity and Networking Specialist (AAS and Diploma) Trenton Smith of Cordele; Cybersecurity (AAS Degree and Diploma) Joseph Dalton Yarbrough of Cordele; Diesel Equipment Technology (Diploma) Jakwon Cordell Mclendon of Montezuma; Early Childhood Care and Education (Diploma) Lena Noelle Avery of Cordele; and Katelyn Morgan Thorpe of Ellaville; Early Childhood Care and Education (AAS Degree and Diploma) Cassidy Michele Mathews of Vienna;Electrical Power Generation Dealer Service Technology (AAS) Samuel Everette Gillilan of Rockyface; Matthew Hartberger of Fort Lawn, SC; and Wesley Gavin Lovorn of Richland, MS: Heavy Equipment Dealer Service Technology (AAS) Timothy Warren Holder of Locust Grove,Derek Cole Mase of New Tazewell, TN; Matthew Antonio McKendree of Richmond Hill; Spencer Jack Neville of Haleyville, AL; and Walker Whalen of Orangeburg, SC; Networking Specialist (Diploma) Lathan Leary of Marshallville; and Sports and Fitness Management (AAS and Diploma) Enola Manuela Papin of Saint Etienne, France;
Twenty-two students earned the distinction of being included in the National Technical Honor Society. Those students included: Javen Bailey of Smithville; Jade Nichole Banks of Americus; Blake William Carroll of Hoover, AL; Barbara Ann Chestnut of Mauk; Evan Scott Drury of Albany; Angel Gauthier of Bryomville; Krista Renee Hudson of Oglethorpe; Garrett Boyd Hurst of Spring, TN; Blake Landon Kersey of Cordele; Jon Andrew Konieczny of Greeneville, TN; Denver Keshawn Lewis of Fairburn; Naja Aziyah Lindsay of Decatur; Matthew Antonio McKendree of Richmond Hill; Spencer Jack Neville of Haleyville, AL; Lane Randall Parton of Lincolnton; Donovan Sage Robertson of Albany; Ryan Gino Roman of Lawrenceville; Eli Gregory Shore of LaFayette; Connor Wesson Stephens of Semmes, AL; Katelyn Morgan Thorpe of Ellaville; Walker Whalen of Orangeburg, SC; and Erin Elizabeth White of Americus.
Ninety students earned Associate of Applied Science degrees and those students and their programs of study included: Agricultural Technology, Hunter Caden Branch of Fitzgerald; Evan Scott Drury of Albany; Hayden Evans of Saint Johns; Thomas Walker Fowler of Perry; Coten M. Fuston of Spring Hill, FL; Jacob T. Harrison of Whigham; Tommy Colt Henderson of Waycross; Blake Christopher Hutto of Swansea, SC; Hunter Paul Janes of Leesburg; Kole Albert Kimbrel of Doerun; Jacobe Ulysses Martin of Edison; Christopher Blake Meherg of Albany; Garrett Roberson of Saint Johns, FL; Eli Gregory Shore of LaFayette; and Thomas Ashton Sumner of Abbeville; Business Technology, Chelsey Clay of Montezuma; Andrew James Cranford of Vienna; Jessica Lashae Felton of Cordele; Shemara Lurenda Fields of Vienna; Marissa Monts Hill of Americus; Temperance Ingram of Americus; Chasity Jacobs of Ellenword; Stephanie Lundy of Vienna; and Kimberly Ann Owens of Albany; Computer Support Specialist, Sha’Torri Alexius-Emmyah Brown of Montezuma; Criminal Justice Technology, Jade Nichole Banks of Americus; Barbara Ann Chestnut of Mauk; Keyshonna Maniya Felton of Cordele, Dillan Jerkins of Plains, Dorothea Kaigler of Montezuma; Connie Leann Lowry of Cordele; Sha’Niya Denae Mahome of Americus; Dallas Leigh Mathis of Cordele; and Erin Elizabeth White of Americus;
Culinary Arts, Naja Zaiyah Lindsay of Decatur and Zoey Alexis Watkins of Macon; Cybersecurity, Asia Nicole Harden of Americus; Krista Renee Hudson of Oglethorpe; Trenton Smith of Cordele, and Joseph Dalton Yarbrough of Cordele; Drafting Technology, Eric Vidal Edmonds of McDonough; Early Childhood Care & Education, A’Naziah N’Kerria Bembry of Cordele; Ouida Frances Carr of Cordele; Alexcia Jaleen Hall of Americus; Gerald Douglass Harp of Americus; Kristin Nicole Keen of Cordele; Cassidy Michele Mathews of Vienna; Oceaunna Polk of Americus; Caitlin Marie Ragusa of Plains; Jacquetta Monique Zanders of Americus;
Electrical Power Generation Dealer Service Technology, Alex Randolph Crawford of Salisbury, NC: Wyatte David Lee Davis of Corryton, TN; Samuel Everette Gillilan of Rockyface; Matthew Hartberger of Fort Lawn, SC; Wesley Gavin Lovorn of Richland, MS: Connor Wesson Stephens of Semmes, AL; Equipment Dealer Service Technology; Blake William Carroll of Hoover, AL; Timothy Warren Holder of Locus Grove; Garrett Boyd Hurst of Spring, TN; Jon Andrew Konieczny of Greeneville, TN; Justin blake Ladner of Gulfport, MS: Derek Cole Mase of New Tazewell, TN; Matthew Antonio McKendreee of Richmond Hill; Logan Lee Morgan of Graysville, TN; Spencer Jack Neville of Haleyville, AL; Noah Jacob New of Newmarket, TN; Lane Randall Parton of Lincolnton; Ryan Gino Roman of Lawrenceville; Joey Glen Sheffey of Knoxville, TN; Walker Whalen of Orangeburg, SC; Horticulture,Cassandra M. Williams of Perry; Marketing Management, Katlin Champion of Americus; Ricky Nelson Gorman of Americus; Networking Specialist, Iain D. Clark of Cordele; Trenton Smith of Cordele, Haleigh Thorpe of Ellaville; and Dillon Thorpe of Ellaville; Sports and Fitness Management, Daryl Bod of Paris, France; Marie Izabel Favero of Cascovel Parana, Brazil; Joshua Hill Langefels of Alpharetta; Melton Quashaun McCoy of Americus; Enola Manuela Papin of Saint Etienne, France; Vaughn Prosser, Sydney, Australia; and Mio Sakano of Yamanashi, Japan; and
Technical Studies, Carlo Anthony Dal Cerro of Roswell; Angel Gauthier of Byromville; Johnny I. Griffin of Americus; Vernieci Johnson of Cordele; and Blake Landon Kersey of Cordele.
One hundred and six students were awarded diplomas and those students and their programs of study included: Accounting – Hayleigh Jones of Americus; Air Conditioning – Cameron Jayce Hollis of Americus; Ethan Scott Hortmn of Dawson; Myles Blake Paramore of Morrow; and Selvin Aroneo Ramirez Jeronimo of Vienna; Aircraft Structural Technology – Savannah S. Kendrick of Oglethorpe; Blake Landon Kersey of Cordele; and Denver Keshawn Lewis of Fairburn; Auto Collision Repair – David Ray Battle, Jr. of Americus; Jermonta Rasheed Bell of Buena Vista; Corey Antonio Fulks of Oglethorpe; and Douglas Jones of Perry; Automotive Technology – Russell Ervin Brown of Mableton; Jesus Morales Hernandez, Jr. of Montezuma; Donovan Sage Robertson of Albany; Jonathan Hiroki Soper of Warner Robins; Seth Aaron Thomas of Leesburg; and Gabrielle Alexus Wade of Dawson; Aviation Technology, Carlo Anthony Dal Cerro of Roswell; and Jason Devon Smith of Warner Robins; Avionics Technology – Jason Devon Smith of Warner Robins; Barbering – De’Marri Alxander Brown of Americus; Sherlanda Faye Jackson of Americus; Queen Johnson of Cordele; Marcus Kelly McDougle of Parkland, FL; Destiny Kalayah Janise Mitchell of Fitzgerald; and Ciano D. Perkins of Americus; Business Technology – Chelsey Clay of Montezuma; Jessica Lashae Felton of Cordele; Rosall Sherine Foster of McDonough; Marissa Monts Hill of Americus; Temperance Ingram of Americus; Chasity Jacobs of Ellenwood; Maggie Mitchell of Americus; Kimberly Ann Owens of Albany; and Amber S. Rexroat of Vienna; Computer Support Specialist – Iain D. Clark of Cordele; Criminal Justice Technology –Jade Nichole Banks of Americus; Barbara Ann Chestnut of Mauk; Sha’Niya Denae Mahome of Americus; Dallas Leigh Mathis of Cordele; Antanaz’Sha Robinson of Vienna; Erin Elizabeth White of Americus; Culinary Arts –Qundra Ford of Unadilla; Naja Aziyah Lindsay of Decatur; Justin Bernard Smith of Cordele; and Zoey Alexis Watkins of Macon; Cybersecurity –Asia Nicole Harden of Americus; Krista Renee Hudson of Oglethorpe; Trenton Smith of Cordele; and Joseph Dalton Yarbrough of Cordele; Diesel Equipment Technology – Javen Bailey of Smithville; Kameron Kamil Banks of Americus; Jackson Miles Bryant of Stockbridge; Xzaviar Tre’veon Hardwick of Cuthbert, Justin Clay McCardle of Mauk; Jakwon Cordelle McLendon of Montezuma; Rachel Kay Mullis of Cordele; and Austin Reid Rouse of Cordele; Drafting – Eric Vidal Edmonds of McDonough; Early Childhood Education –Lena Noelle Avery of Cordele; Pamela Bishop of Rochelle; Ja’Layshia Zymia Daniels of Americus; Alexcia Jaleen Hall of Amerius; Gerald Douglass Harp of Americus; Jeniyah Cedria Hooks of Americus; Sandra Lowery of Montezuma; Cassidy Michele Mathews of Vienna; Samantha McKinney of Abbeville; Ketelyn Morgan Thorpe of Americus; and Jacquetta Monique Sanders of Americus; Electrical Construction Technology – Javaris D. Hooks of Americus; KeDarius Marquez Lucas of Blakely; and Francisco Tovar, Jr. of DeSoto; Electrical Systems Technology – Javaris D. Hooks of Americus; LeDarois Marquez Lucas of Blakely; and Francisco Tovar, Jr. of DeSoto; Horticulture– Cassandra M. Williams of Perry; Medical Assisting – Keyona Jadee Bell of Buena Vista; Kaniya Dashawn Moses of Buena Vista; and Hailey Alyssa Pulido of Oglethorpe; Motorsports Vehicle Technology – Adrian Barredo of Morrow; and Keviontae Damarion McKenzie of Cordele; Networking Specialist – Iain D. Clark of Cordele, Timothy Tyler Dunning of Americus; Lathan Leary of Marshallville; Trenton Smith of Cordele; Dillon Thorpe of Ellaville; and Haleigh Thorpe of Ellaville; Sports and Fitness Management –Araham G. Ball of Upper Darby, PA; Daryl Bod of Paris, France; Maria Izabel Favero of Cascovel Parana, Brazi; Jose Nehemiah Jones Dawson; Kedrick Terrell Jones of Americus; Joshua Hill Langefels of Alpharetta; Melton Quashaun McCoy of Americus; Enola Manuela Papin Saint Etienne, France; Vaughn Prosser of Sydney, Australia; Mio Sakano of Yamanashi, Japan; and Karina Ivette Santos – Pagan of Americus; and Welding and Joining Technology – Jenna Rae Curtis of Warner Robins; Johnathan Michael Giese of Leesburg; Byron Dallas Harrelson of McRae; Joshua Lewis Taylor of Reynolds; and Noah Marquez Torres of Macon.
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.