The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) announced the state’s top technical college student for 2020. Rah’Mere Williams, a Design and Media Production Technology student from Augusta Technical College was chosen as this year’s Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) student.

“Rah’Mere has all of the qualities our judges look for when making the difficult decision of selecting one statewide GOAL winner,” said TCSG Commissioner, Greg Dozier. “He is someone whose hard work, perseverance, and leadership skills make him an excellent choice as our student ambassador for technical education over the next year.”

The GOAL program, now in its 48th year, recognizes the most outstanding technical education students at the 22 TCSG colleges. As the award winner, Rah’Mere Williams will make public appearances as a representative for technical education during the next year, including meeting with Governor Brian Kemp and addressing the Georgia General Assembly.

Each year, selection for the GOAL program begins with the naming of the top technical education student at each college. Regional competitions follow and narrow the field to nine finalists for the award. Due to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, a panel of judges interviewed this year’s nine finalists virtually.  

Rah’Mere Williams from Augusta Technical College received the GOAL grand prize: a new, made-in-Georgia 2021 KIA K5, courtesy of KIA Motors Manufacturing Georgia and delivered by Ed Voyles KIA of Chamblee.

"We're so proud and excited for our GOAL student, Rah'Mere Williams," said Augusta Technical College Interim President, Sheila Hill. "As a student, he has excelled in the Design Media Production Technology program as well as in his extracurricular activities like SkillsUSA and Student Government Association. This young man is a rising star in our community, and we know that he will go on to do extraordinary things."

The first runner-up for the technical education student of the year was Christina Bullock, an Echocardiography student from Georgia Northwestern Technical College.

The nine 2020 GOAL finalists were:

• Devin Bass, Savannah Technical College

• Christina Bullock, Georgia Northwestern Technical College

• Erica Deaton, Ogeechee Technical College

• Deitra Gray, North Georgia Technical College

• Larry Jackson, Central Georgia Technical College

• Sayvon Jarrett, West Georgia Technical College

• Blakelyn Larkin, Athens Technical College

• Jacquelyn Mallard, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College

• Rah’Mere Williams, Augusta Technical College