Alicia Childs and Nasier Vazquez receive South Georgia Tech’s Lt. Michael Sangster Law Enforcement scholarship
Commitment is more than just a word to South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy Class 21-01 cadets Alicia Childs of Albany and Nasier A. Vazquez, Sr., of Valdosta, GA. Despite personal hardships and challenges surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, both of these officers persevered to earn their Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification. They were also selected as the recipients of the Lt. Michael Sangster Law Enforcement scholarship for this class by the South Georgia Technical College Foundation.
“For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to be a cop,” said Nasier A. Vazquez, Sr. “I’ve always admired the people in my family and that I’ve known who have chosen Law Enforcement as a career. There is nothing more in life that I could see myself happily doing that being a police officer and today that dream is becoming a reality.”
Vazquez began working in Law Enforcement almost two years ago at the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office as a Jail Operations Officer. That job solidified his love for Law Enforcement and motivated him to go back to school to earn his POST certification. However, COVID-19, the death of his great grandmother and other circumstances caused him to delay his dream of becoming POST certified.
Cadet Alicia Childs also overcame challenges to get to this point in her life. “You can only reach your goals through commitment and hard work,” is an unknown quote that Childs has looked at every day. “This quote is on the screen for my watch. That way each day, whether it is in class or personal time, it is a constant reminder of the importance of my goals and what it takes for me to continue to reach them and surpass them,” explained Childs.
Childs grew up in Albany and says honestly in her younger days, she “was a student that did only enough to get by, and if something was difficult and it took more than one attempt, I automatically assumed it was not for me and I would give up. In my early adult years as I tried several things, trying to find what my purpose was, I ultimately found myself gaining a ‘why me’ attitude as I experienced several failed attempts.”
In 2015 that began to change as she found her purpose working as a Communications Officer with 911 in Albany. “I worked closely for four years with first responders and I loved it. I also wondered did I have what it took to become an officer, so I decided I would give it a try.”
Even though Childs struggled, she persevered with the help of her 5-year old nephew Nolan who saw her as something that she hadn’t yet become. And that encouragement drove her to think “Why not me?” rather than “Why me?”
Both Childs and Vazquez continued their journey and their commitment has now led them to the career of their dreams. “This has been a journey that has taken me through several emotions, but this is only the beginning. I will continue my education at South Georgia Technical College and also work toward my bachelor’s. This assistance from this scholarship will help me continue my education,” said Childs.
Vazquez also plans to use this scholarship to further his education in Criminal Justice. “I want a lifelong career in Law Enforcement where I am able to share my knowledge with those who need it most. I want to be able to return home and benefit my department, my fellow officers, and my community. Above all else, I want to help train and equip the next cadet who has the desire to wear the badge of a Police Officer with the same pride as I always will,” said Vazquez.
Childs and Vazquez are the 17th and 18th Lt. Michael Sangster scholarship award recipients at South Georgia Tech since 2012. Lt. Michael Sangster was an officer with the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office and served as a volunteer instructor for the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy from the inception of the program. He lost his battle with cancer and passed away in 2012 at the age of 35. With the help of family, LEA students, friends, SGTC faculty and staff, and Lou Crouch, a scholarship was endowed in his memory for SGTC LEA students.
Michael Sangster of Cordele held numerous POST certifications, including General Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, TASER Instructor, and Driver Instructor.
Lt. Sangster was born in Dooly County but spent most of his life in Cordele. He was the son of Robert Sangster, Sr. and Connie Sangster Youngblood. He has a sister, Melissa Sangster and a son, Caleb.
“On behalf of South Georgia Technical College and the South Georgia Technical College Foundation, I would like to thank the Sangster family, Lou Crouch and the other individuals who donated to this particular scholarship for partnering with us,” said South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford. “We appreciate the opportunities that this scholarship is providing for our deserving Law Enforcement Academy students. Your investment in an endowed scholarship will continue to give back to our students indefinitely. We appreciate everything you are doing for our students and our community. Thank you again for recognizing the value of the educational opportunities and for supporting this effort. The students you help today will be the public servants that we count on tomorrow in our local communities.”
For more information about making a donation to the Lt. Michael Sangster Scholarship Fund or for endowing a scholarship at South Georgia Technical College, contact Su Ann Bird, SGTC Foundation Executive Director at 229.931.2110 or sbird@southgatech.edu. Contributions may also be mailed to the SGTC Foundation, P.O. Box 6102, Americus, GA.
The South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy program takes 18 weeks to complete and most recruits qualify for the HOPE Grant and other forms of financial aid. Admission standards require all students to undergo a thorough background check and adhere to all rules as set forth by the state POST Council. Students will also have to meet minimum scores in English, reading and math.
For more information about the Law Enforcement Academy contact the Law Enforcement Academy office at 229.931.2716 or SGTC Law Enforcement Academy Director Brett Murray at 229.931.2756 or bmurray@southgatech.edu.