Students from the Floyd and Walker County campuses of Georgia Northwestern Technical College have been named finalists in the college’s annual GOAL competition, which honors top students in technical education.

Finalists are Jerry “Shane” Presley of Lindale and Scarlett Queen of Adairsville, both of the Floyd campus, and Amber Smith of Ringgold and Julianne Tatum of Rock Spring, both of the Walker County campus. They were selected from the more than 6,000 students who attend GNTC.

Presley is a radiologic technology student, Queen studies respiratory care, Smith is in the criminal justice program and Tatum is pursuing an associate’s degree in nursing.

GOAL, the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership, centers on student excellence in technical education by focusing on academic excellence and personal achievement. A panel of judges selects one student, the state GOAL winner, to serve as an ambassador of technical education in Georgia.

Among the 15 nominated students who completed the process, but were not selected by the judging panel, are Kristina Alegre, Katherine Colbert, Josh Evans, Cindy Judd, Christopher “Marvin” McCormick, Tim McCrory, Richard Nerren, Amanda Petit, Regina Redmond, Lisa Sisk, Angela Singleton, Alice Stevens, Ernest ‘Richie’ Stevens, Tammy Swepeniser and Robin Thacker.

A panel of judges consisting of area leaders, business people and Chamber of Commerce representatives have reviewed four finalists, including hearing them deliver speeches and asking them questions. The winner will be announced at Tuesday’s Seven Hills Rotary Club meeting.

A regional judging on March 17 will pit the GNTC representative against the winner from each of the other seven colleges from the region. The state level of competition takes place May 26-27. Nine finalists will advance to the state level. In addition to the duties the winner will have the following year serving as a spokesperson for the Technical College System of Georgia, the statewide winner will receive a new automobile.