The Foundation at Georgia Northwestern Technical College has awarded $48,350 in grants and scholarships for the spring semester of 2026, providing financial assistance to students across multiple campuses and programs of study.
Scholarship and grant awards ranged from $100 to $5,000, with a total of 60 awards presented to 56 students to help cover tuition, supplies, and other educational costs.
“We salute these students for their excellence and determination to realize their educational and career goals,” said Dr. Heidi Popham, president of GNTC. “We also extend our gratitude to the generous donors who make these scholarships possible. We couldn’t do it without them.”
The GNTC Foundation Scholarship, which supports outstanding students with financial need enrolled in programs leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate, was awarded to: Breanna Clayton of Calhoun (Health Care Management, Walker County Campus); Hannah Culpepper of Rome (Health Care Management, Floyd County Campus); Amanda Evans of White (Practical Nursing, Floyd County Campus); Tonya Johnson of Rome (Health Care Management, Floyd County Campus); Jessie Jones of Fairmount (Health Care Assistant, Gordon County Campus); Malik McCluskey of Rome (Automation Technology, Floyd County Campus); Flor Querido of Cohutta (Health Care Management, Whitfield Murray Campus); Jake Ragan of Marietta (Respiratory Care, Floyd County Campus); Noelia Sargento of Rossville (Business Management, Catoosa County Campus); and Celia Suazo Pena of Dalton (Business Healthcare Technology, Whitfield Murray Campus).
The Foundation also awarded Success Grants to Ricardo Acevedo of Kingston (Aviation Maintenance, Floyd County Campus); Daniella Bates of Ringgold (Automation Technology, Catoosa County Campus); Samantha Belman of Dalton (Welding and Joining Technology, Whitfield Murray Campus); Montana Easterwood of Rome (Business Management, Floyd County Campus); Eric Harkins of Rome (Industrial Systems Technology, Floyd County Campus); Candice Long of Ringgold (Nursing, Walker County Campus); Carson Lucas of Dalton (Welding and Joining Technology, Whitfield Murray Campus); Jennifer Mullens of Ringgold (Health Care Management, Walker County Campus); Liliana Tafoya Ortiz of Dalton (Early Childhood Care/Education, Whitfield Murray Campus); and Jared Weaver of Chatsworth (Drafting Technology, Whitfield Murray Campus).
Adult Education Scholarships, which provide funding for graduates of GNTC’s Adult Education program to continue their studies, were awarded to Toni Aaron of Ringgold (Undeclared, Catoosa County Campus); Monica Arrant of Rome (Health Care Management, Floyd County Campus); Jayden Allen of Lindale (Health Care Assistant, Floyd County Campus); Stephanie Cordle of Rome (Health Care Management, Floyd County Campus); Ja’Kia Perdue of Rome (Business Management, Floyd County Campus); and Steve Ware of Trion (Supply Chain Management and Logistics, Catoosa County Campus).
O’Darius Davis of Rome (Aviation Maintenance Technology, Floyd County Campus) received the Matthew Vroman Memorial Scholarship, established in 2024 to support aviation students who demonstrate kindness, strong values, and a strong work ethic.
The Rome Home Builders Association Scholarship, which supports students in residential construction-related programs such as Air Conditioning Technology, Construction Management, Electrical Systems Technology, and Horticulture, was awarded to Bryce Careathers of LaFayette and Joseph Guerrero of Calhoun, both Electrical Systems Technology students at the Gordon County Campus.
The Electrical Systems Scholarship, recognizing academic excellence in Electrical Systems programs, was awarded to Daniel Herrada of Dalton and Leslee Menjivar of Calhoun, both students at the Gordon County Campus.
Guerrero and Menjivar were also among the recipients of the Latin American Association–Mohawk Scholarship, along with Yvonne Beltran of Dalton (Welding and Joining Technology, Whitfield Murray Campus); Melissa Del Real of Rome (Health Care Management, Floyd County Campus); Guadalupe Nunez of Dalton (Healthcare Billing and Coding, Whitfield Murray Campus); and Ronaldo Ramirez of Rome (Aviation Maintenance Technology, Floyd County Campus). This scholarship recognizes students with a minimum 2.5 GPA who are engaged with the Latino/Hispanic community.
Beltran also received the Governor Nathan Deal Technical Education Scholarship, along with Jimmy Keener of Cisco (Automation Technology), Sarah Sane of Chatsworth (Welding and Joining Technology), and Gibson Scott of Fairmount (Precision Machining and Manufacturing), all at the Whitfield Murray Campus. Established by The Carpet and Rug Institute, this scholarship honors former Governor Nathan Deal’s support of technical education.
Scott was also a recipient of the Gene Haas Scholarship, along with Jonathan Burnette of Summerville; Zachary Culp of Adairsville; Joshua Ruiz Campos of Dalton; and Mayahuel Yaoapoqa of Trion, all studying Precision Machining and Manufacturing.
Jeffrey Carter of Rome (Horticulture, Floyd County Campus) received the David Warren Memorial Scholarship, while Mary Sharay of Chatsworth (Horticulture, Floyd County Campus) received the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County Scholarship.
The Rabbit Valley Farmers Market Scholarship was awarded to Quaneta Green of Rome (Culinary Arts, Floyd County Campus), supporting students pursuing careers in agriculture, culinary arts, and environmental-related fields.
Samantha Ashmore of Cedartown (Respiratory Care, Floyd County Campus) received the B.J. Pharr Scholarship, which supports full-time students in the Respiratory Care program.
The Registered Nurse Scholarship was awarded to Mattie McCroskey of Ringgold, Ashley Rich of Dalton, and William Sullivan of Rome, all enrolled in the Associate of Science in Nursing program at the Walker County Campus.
The Roper Scholarship, established in 2024 for students employed by Roper Corporation, was awarded to Tammy Chandler of Trion (Computer Support Specialist, Walker County Campus) and Salvador Hernandez of Summerville (Automation Technology, Catoosa County Campus).
The Jerry Jones Memorial Scholarship, honoring a firefighter and EMT, was awarded to Nicholas “Connor” Elrod of Chatsworth and Everett Williams of Dalton, both enrolled in EMS Professions at the Whitfield Murray Campus.
Berenise Barajas of Dalton (Early Childhood Care/Education, Whitfield Murray Campus) received the Huston “Buck” Parson Scholarship, established in 2024 to support students with financial need in Murray or Whitfield County.
Johnny Rodriguez of Calhoun (Computer Support Specialist, Gordon County Campus) received the Gordon County Campus Scholarship, which recognizes student excellence at that campus.
The GNTC Foundation Trustees include Valerie Brown (Whitfield County); Phillip Burkhalter (Floyd County); Linda Case (Dade County); Steven M. Henry (Catoosa County); Luther Ingram (Walker County); Amy L. Jackson (Catoosa County); Jay LeGrande (Polk County); Craig McDaniel (Floyd County); Paul Meredith (Chattooga County); Sherrie Patterson (Murray County); Damon Raines (Walker County); Becky Redd (Gordon County); and Doris White (Walker County).
The GNTC Foundation continues to support student success by helping remove financial barriers and providing opportunities for students to complete their education and enter the workforce.