Albany Tech recognizes honor students

ALBANY — One hundred fifteen graduation candidates received awards Tuesday for extracurricular and scholarly achievements during Albany Technical College’s Fall 2017 Honors Program.

The awards were awarded by student clubs and organizations as well as the technical college’s academic honors program.

Keynote speaker for the ceremony was Sandra Pinkney Parker, retired assistant principal at Lee County High School and wife of Albany Tech President Anthony Parker. In her address to the students, Parker offered four key points: Take time to celebrate, reflect back, be and stay grateful, and move forward.

“You know you could not be here at a better place and time than during this holiday season,” Parker said. “Take time to celebrate and realize that this is a big thing. Celebrate. You deserve it. You worked hard for it.”

Parker also advised the honor students to “take a moment and look back.”

“Think about it and reflect on it,” she said. “Some people don’t like to look back because they may have painful memories, but I encourage you to reflect on that moment when you made your decision to do this. Reflect on what got you here.

“See the very moment that you decided ‘I can do this and do it well.’ You are here because you made that decision. Around this room are all these loved ones who went on this journey with you … be grateful.”

Sandra Parker spoke of teachers who stayed after hours to help students with “one last bit of information.” She spoke of classmates who may have helped one another with rides to class. She spoke of family and friends who may have said they were proud of the achievements these students were making.

“Those who have grateful hearts will see more of God’s opportunities,” Parker said.

Her final bit of advice was to move forward but to never stop reaching back to help others.

“As you move forward you don’t always have to look back if you don’t want to,” Parker said. “Take today’s milestone with you to whatever is in your heart and whatever God has planned for you. If you do not look back, reach back and touch someone else. Encourage and support others.”

After presenting the honor awards, Anthony Parker spoke of the accomplishments the students had made. He mentioned that Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany is expected to do a lot of hiring in the days and weeks to come and how all of the graduates are now well-equipped to find good employment locally or wherever they may choose to go. Parker encouraged Albany Tech students to stay in touch and to help promote the technical college.

“I believe I have the best job in Georgia — and you are the reason why,” he said.

After the ceremony, Graduate Nickicia Fambro was sharing the good news by phone and with other students. Graduate John Davis said he was happy to receive recognition for his achievements and took time to thank the Parkers for the opportunity. Other students celebrated with family and friends who came out to show their support.