Krista Hudson Recognized as SGTC Student of Excellence

April 3, 2025
Seated (l-R) are SGTC Student of Excellence nominees Hayleigh Jones, Chelsey Clay, Krista Hudson, Justin Wilson and Enola Papin. Standing (l-r) are their instructors Brenda Boone, Sharon Smith, Veronda Cladd, Mary Cross, and Chris Ballauer.
Seated (l-R) are SGTC Student of Excellence nominees Hayleigh Jones, Chelsey Clay, Krista Hudson, Justin Wilson and Enola Papin. Standing (l-r) are their instructors Brenda Boone, Sharon Smith, Veronda Cladd, Mary Cross, and Chris Ballauer.

Krista Hudson of Oglethorpe was honored recently as the South Georgia Technical College Student of Excellence for April. Hudson, a Cybersecurity student, was nominated for the award by CIS instructor Veronda Cladd.

“She’s efficient, and she’s always effective,” Cladd said in her introduction of Hudson. “She is more than a student of excellence. She is a person of excellence.”

After being announced as the winner, Hudson thanked her instructors and others and encouraged her fellow nominees and other students to excel. “The sky’s the limit. If you don’t invest in yourself, then who will? Stay focused.”

SGTC Student of Excellence winner Krista Hudson (right) with SGTC CIS instructor Veronda Cladd.
SGTC Student of Excellence winner Krista Hudson (right) with SGTC CIS instructor Veronda Cladd.

The Student of Excellence is selected based on a number of criteria, including grades, work ethics, participation in clubs and organizations, and amount of program completion. Each month, students from certain divisions selected for that month are nominated for the Student of Excellence award by their instructors. SGTC’s business programs were the focus for March.

Other nominees for the award were: Hayleigh Jones of Americus, Accounting, nominated by Brenda Boone; Chelsey Clay of Montezuma, Business Technology, nominated by Sharon Smith; Justin Wilson of Americus, Marketing Management, nominated by Mary Cross; and Enola Papin of Americus, Sports and Fitness Management, nominated by Chris Ballauer.

As the winner, Hudson was awarded with a plaque of recognition, a personal letter of recommendation from SGTC President Dr. John Watford and a $50 check for her accomplishments. Additionally, her name will be displayed on SGTC’s digital marquee as well as inscribed on a plaque in Hicks Hall among previous Student of Excellence winners. Each nominee was awarded with a nomination certificate and an exclusive student of excellence t-shirt.