Coastal Pines Technical College (CPTC) is proud to announce its 2026-2027 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) and Rick Perkins Award (RPA) local winners. Nicholas Cicciari, a Respiratory Care student on the Waycross Campus, has been named the College's GOAL Student of the Year, while Anthony Pearce, Welding and Joining Technology instructor on the Hazlehurst Campus, has been selected as the College's Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year.
The winners were recently surprised with special visits from the College's GOAL and Rick Perkins Award coordinators, along with CPTC mascot Ray Ray, who helped deliver the exciting news and celebrate their achievements.
The GOAL program recognizes outstanding technical college students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to their chosen career fields. Similarly, the Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction honors exceptional instructors who demonstrate innovation, dedication, and a passion for student success.
As CPTC's local winners, Cicciari and Pearce will advance to the regional competitions in the new year, where they will represent Coastal Pines alongside outstanding students and instructors from other technical colleges across Georgia. They will later go on to compete for the state title in April 2027.
Coastal Pines Technical College congratulates both winners on this well-deserved recognition and looks forward to supporting them as they continue their journeys through the regional competition. Their dedication and achievements reflect the excellence of the College's students and faculty, and CPTC is proud to have them represent Coastal Pines! For more information, visit www.coastalpines.edu.