Coastal Pines Technical College (CPTC) is proud to announce the winners of the 2025–2026 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) and Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction.
Demya Gibson, a Healthcare Billing & Coding Specialist student from Waycross, has been named the 2025–2026 CPTC GOAL Winner, and Penny DiLorenzo, Surgical Technology Program Director from Waycross, has been named the 2025–2026 CPTC Rick Perkins Award Winner.
The GOAL and Rick Perkins Awards are part of a statewide program designed to recognize excellence in Georgia’s technical colleges. The GOAL Award honors students who exemplify outstanding achievement in technical education and leadership, while the Rick Perkins Award highlights instructors who demonstrate innovation, dedication, and commitment to student success.
“Demya and Penny represent the very best of technical education and we are thrilled to have them be ambassadors representing technical education for Coastal Pines.,” said Lonnie Roberts, CPTC President. “Their accomplishments demonstrate how education can open doors, transform lives, and strengthen our workforce across Georgia.”
Both winners will go on to represent Coastal Pines at the Regional Competition in early 2026, followed by the State Competition in April, where they will compete alongside other finalists from across the Technical College System of Georgia.
For more information about Coastal Pines Technical College and its programs, visit www.coastalpines.edu.