The luncheon, hosted by OTC’s Vice President for Student Affairs Christy Rikard, provided a platform to highlight the determination and resilience of the college’s top students.
“Getting to hear our students' stories is a wonderful reminder of why we do what we do,” Rikard said in her opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of celebrating student accomplishments.
The event began with an invocation by Sean Payne, Executive Director for Public Relations and Marketing, followed by speeches and reflections from the finalists. The program honored their diverse journeys and the transformative role OTC has played in their lives.
Meet the Finalists
Each finalist shared a personal story that resonated with the audience and underscored the significance of education in overcoming challenges:
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Faith Drew, a Construction Management Technology student, spoke candidly about her journey from personal struggles, including facing jail time, to finding purpose in blue-collar work. Inspired by her love of physical labor and the trades, Drew credited OTC for helping her transition into a career she is proud of. “I want to show people that no matter where you come from or what you’ve done, every day is a fresh start,” she said.
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Calli Price, a Paramedicine Technology student with a background in nursing, shared her emotional journey of overcoming personal loss. After the sudden deaths of her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Price was motivated to pursue a career where she could provide compassionate care to others. “Fear kept me from returning to school for a long time,” Price said. “But OTC has given me the resources to grow and excel.”
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Arianna Crumpacker, a Fish & Wildlife Management student, reflected on her struggles with homelessness, unemployment, and substance abuse before finding stability through the support of her family and OTC. Originally from Indiana, Crumpacker credited the Fish & Wildlife program with helping her rediscover purpose. “OTC has afforded me the chance to transform myself and my family,” she said.
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Ryan Perez, the winner of the 2025 GOAL award, captivated the audience with his story of resilience and determination. A first-generation college student, Perez overcame a devastating spine injury that ended his football career and the challenges of young fatherhood to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a game warden. “This place gave me a chance to start fresh,” Perez said. “I hope to represent OTC well moving forward.”
The ceremony also recognized the vital role of faculty in guiding students to success. Casey Corbett, OTC’s Fish & Wildlife Management instructor, nominated both Perez and Crumpacker for the GOAL award. Corbett’s passion for her students was evident as she praised their dedication.
“They come to class every day and strive to do their best,” Corbett said. “They are the reason why I am here.”
Corbett was honored with a monetary award from the OTC Foundation for her contributions as a nominating instructor, highlighting the impact of dedicated faculty in student success.
As the 2025 GOAL winner, Perez will represent OTC at the regional competition in Tifton on February 25, where he will compete against students from other technical colleges. If successful, he will move on to the state competition in Atlanta from April 28 to May 1.
OTC President Lori Durden commended the finalists and reflected on the college’s history of producing top-tier GOAL representatives.
“In the last 17 years, we’ve had three state winners, four state runners-up, and seven regional finalists,” Durden said. “That speaks volumes about the quality of our students and the dedication of our faculty.”
Durden also emphasized the broader impact of the GOAL program, which has been recognizing outstanding students across Georgia’s technical colleges for 53 years.
“Days like today and graduation remind us of the success that comes from the hard work our students put in,” she said.
The event concluded with heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to its success, from faculty and staff to the Student Leadership Council and the OTC Foundation.
For Ryan Perez, the journey continues. With his sights set on the regional competition, he carries not just the title of 2025 GOAL winner but also the pride and support of the OTC community.
