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Atlanta area student named Technical College System of Georgia’s student of the year

Georgia Piedmont Technical College student was named Wednesday the Technical College System of Georgia's 2018 student of the year. She received a new KIA for winning the award. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED.
Georgia Piedmont Technical College student was named Wednesday the Technical College System of Georgia's 2018 student of the year. She received a new KIA for winning the award. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED.
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April 26, 2018

The Technical College System of Georgia on Wednesday named a student from Georgia Piedmont Technical College its 2018 student of the year.

Crystal Wright, an interdisciplinary studies student, received the honor, titled the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership. She received a new, made-in-Georgia 2018 KIA Optima, courtesy of KIA Motors Manufacturing Georgia and delivered by Ed Voyles KIA of Chamblee.

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The college has campuses in DeKalb, Morgan, Newton and Rockdale counties.

Wright was lauded for her commitment to nursing, and in particular to mental health advocacy. Her fiancé committed suicide following struggles with mental health.

She finished second in Practical Nursing at the National SkillsUSA competition.

“Crystal is a standout student who thinks with both her head and her heart,” said Kaye Henry, program director for the licensed practical nurse program at the college.

The TCSG, which has 22 colleges, also named its instructor of the year. Stephanie O’Donoghue, an Electrical and Computer Engineering instructor at Chattahoochee Technical College, was named 2018 Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction. He received a $1,000 cash award.

About the Author

Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.

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