Amanda Berry views her college journey as "doing the impossible." And she knows other students feel the same way when they embark on their own paths.

That's why Berry, 37, is at ease sharing her story as Lanier Technical College's prize-winning student ambassador.

"You want to be everything you can be, the person you're meant to be," Berry said. "You don't realize what you're capable of until you're in that position."

The Buford woman was named the winner of Lanier's highest student honor known as GOAL, or Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership.

The announcement Tuesday followed a presentation by the school's four finalists who also included Ozlem Byrne, Sarah Dixon and John Lasiter.

Each student delivered their speeches about the value of Georgia's technical education system to the Gainesville Lions Club, a longtime sponsor of Lanier's GOAL program.

Lions Club members who participated on the selection committee congratulated each finalist for persevering despite their own personal challenges.

"To sit back and watch is easy to do," said Tom Nichols, a retired college instructor of international politics for more than 30 years. "To actually make a change and do something with your life (is not easy.)"

John Roslak, a Lions Club member and selection committee participant for almost 10 years, complimented the strength of each candidate. The decision was tough, he said.

"I just can't tell you how close this was," Roslak said. "They are an exceptional group of people. You can see through each of their speeches what motivates them."

Lasiter, a retired advertising executive, described how, at age 50, he embraced a loved one's message before her death.

"Her passing gift to me: opening up my eyes, ears and heart to do something better" and impact people and society in a positive way, said Lasiter, who is studying practical nursing.

Byrne, a foreign-born nursing student, explained how she discovered a vast support network willing to help her bridge her own language and nursing studies in the U.S.

"This is the hallmark of technical education, giving professional opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach for those most in need," Byrne said.

Dixon, who is studying accounting, began and ended her essay with the question children routinely face. Now, she said, adults can, too. "What do you want to be now that you have grown?" she challenged.

Berry once answered that question with homemaker.

She realized her dream for 12 years as she cared for her young family.

But her day-to-day passion ended abruptly when her partner questioned his own life goals.

"What I considered a valley, he considered the end," Berry said.

Facing single motherhood, financial turmoil and the realization her stay-at-home fantasy had ended, Berry didn't give up.

"The only thing that made sense was to continue my education," she said.

In her talk titled "Doing Impossible Things," Berry touched upon the challenges she has tackled in discovering a new dream — to become a nurse.

When other moms today ask her how she has managed, the honoree encourages them.

Her marriage has healed and so has her spirit as Berry continues to achieve her own goals.

"I am doing the impossible," she said. "And I tell them they, too, can do impossible things."