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OTC picks GOAL recipient
OTC Goal 2007 1

OTC Goal student

OTC GOAL student Lauren Nottingham discusses her honor.

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    When Laura Nottingham's instructor approached her about nominating her for the GOAL award at Ogeechee Technical College, she didn't know anything about it.
    "I didn't even know it existed until my instructor told me about it," Nottingham said.
    But on Tuesday, Nottingham received the school's "Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership" and will represent Ogeechee Technical College at the statewide competition in May.
    "I'm elated," she said. "I'm very honored to represent Ogeechee Tech in Atlanta."
    Nottingham was one of 23 students nominated by their instructors. Each of those students had to prepare a three to five minute speech about why they chose technical education. They presented that speech to an internal committee who interviewed them and then are supposed to select four finalists, but this year there was a tie and five finalists were chosen.
    Then, the students will give the same speech to an external committee who also interviews the finalists before choosing a winner.
    Nottingham, a Imaging Science Services Assistant student, said she was "shocked" to have received the honor.
    "I feel a lot of responsibility to represent the school," she said.
    Nottingham's nominating instructor, Jan Martin, called her a "phenomenal" student.
    "I had her in an intro class last semester and her whole demeanor made the class a different class," Martin said. "She is vivacious and very task-oriented, which is what radiographers and stenographers are prone to be like in this profession."
    Nottingham and another finalist, Nikki Hunter, were both nominated by Martin, who praised their tremendous work ethic.
    "I could not ask for any better students. There really are not words to describe what these ladies will mean to the health care profession," she said.
    Ogeechee Technical College President Dawn Cartee said Tuesday's program, along with graduation, are her two favorite events of the school year.
    "We're celebrating student achievement and those that are in education know that is our goal," she said. "This is a prime example of the best of the best and it's just special to be a part of the students' achievements."
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