LaGRANGE — Four West Georgia Technical College students attended the Georgia Student Government Association/ National Technical Honor Society Winter Conference and Competitions, held Feb. 26–28 at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain.

Joanne Garza of Newnan, Shamauna Peters of Woodland and Jasmine Gibson of LaGrange were all selected to serve as NTHS state officers for the upcoming year. Anita Cooper of Five Points, Alabama, is currently completing her term as NTHS State Secretary.

All four attend West Georgia Tech’s LaGrange Campus.

Garza, Peters and Gibson will attend a leadership and training conference in May, where they will learn their respective position assignments.

Shamauna Peters also placed second for the NTHS Citizenship Award, which recognizes students for outstanding community service. Peters was nominated for her community service efforts, which include West Georgia Tech Project Care, a book drive at the NTHS Georgia Fall Leadership Conference, West Georgia Tech PBL March of Dimes and a clothing drive at Saint Paul CME. Peters is pursuing her Associates of Applied Science degree in registered nursing at West Georgia Tech.

The Technical College System of Georgia hosted the conference with approximately 150 students and advisors from around the state in attendance.

Competitions were held in categories such as extemporaneous and prepared speech, job interview and chapter display. students also campaigned for the GSA and NTHS state officer positions.

West Georgia Technical College Program Assistant and NTHS state executive director Annie Pool along with business technology instructorand NTHS local co-advisor Shirlee Ausman accompanied the four WGTC students.

“I am very proud of our students,” Ausman said. “I saw them blossom over the weekend as they were challenged to step out of their comfort zones and work together to accomplish their goals. All of them actively participated in the leadership and competitive events. Anita Cooper has done a wonderful job serving as a state officer for NTHS and will be missed. I am grateful to Joanne, Shamauna and Jasmine for their willingness to serve as state officers for the upcoming term. This is a fabulous opportunity for them to improve their leadership skills, work with a team and make new friends.”

West Georgia Tech student life manager Melinda Hofius and executive director of campus operations Leigh Newman served as judges.