A baby boy named Logan born just more than seven years ago is the reason Georgia Northwestern Technical College student Scarlett Queen returned to school as an adult.

Queen was named GNTC’s Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership winner Tuesday afternoon at the Seven Hills Rotary Club meeting, and it was her son Logan that she credited for her success. That tiny baby boy was born with a tiny whole in his heart that was accompanied by breathing problems.

Thanks to breathing treatments and the care he received from a bevy of medical professionals, Logan’s heart was healed and his mother was inspired to return to school.

“He’s getting better. He’s the whole reason I decided to go back to school and get my degree in respiratory therapy,” said Queen, who lives in Adairsville with her husband and five children.

She will represent the college on March 17 at the regional competition. The winner at that level will then move on to state. The state winner will receive a car and represent the technical system of Georgia as a spokesperson for the following year.

GNTC President Craig McDaniel said he expects Queen to present the college well and expects she’ll win the whole thing.

“We look forward to having a state winner in 2010,” he told Rotarians. “If we don’t win it this year it’s rigged.”

Also at the meeting Tuesday, ultrasound programs instructor Leif Penrose was selected as the 2010 Rick Perkins Award of Excellence winner. The award is given to instructors who exemplify teaching excellence.

Penrose said the award will encourage him to keep doing what he has always done.

“As teachers, we work and work and work to give to our students. It’s nice to get a pat on the back every now and then. It inspires us to keep giving,” he said.