Chase Sweda, a welding student at Lanier Technical College, was named the college’s winner of the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership at a luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 7, at the new Hall County Campus Ramsey Conference Center.

Sweda, who lives with his family in Flowery Branch, said, “This is awesome! I am very thankful for the experience and I will do my best to bring the title home.”

Sweda was chosen by a panel of local leaders over three other nominees for the award. The runners-up were Robert Enright of Lumpkin County, EMS; Donna Pickens of Barrow County, accounting; and Abigail Rodriguez of Hall County, applied technology.

Sweda will now proceed to regional judging. From regional finalists, to be chosen in April, a statewide winner will be announced. The grand prize also includes a new car, courtesy of GOAL sponsor Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia. 

Sweda is the son of Donna and Patrick Sweda. He chose to attend Lanier Technical College to earn his diploma in welding and joining, and after furthering his education at a specialized diving school in Charleston, S.C., he will pursue a career in underwater welding/commercial diving.

GOAL, a statewide program of the Technical College System of Georgia, honors excellence in academics and leadership among the state’s technical college students. 

From Lanier Tech press release.