Virginia L. Heard Elementary Academy Student Takes Second Place in Statewide Manufacturing Appreciation Design Contest

#1354 | April 4, 2013

ATLANTA – Mina Smith, a third grader from Virginia L. Heard Elementary Academy in Savannah, Ga., took second place in the K-5 division of the 2013 Manufacturing Appreciation Week (MAW) student design contest. She received a $300 scholarship check, presented by Lt. Gov. Cagle, at the MAW Governor’s Awards Luncheon held at the Georgia International Convention Center on April 3.

“These young students are our best and brightest, and our future in manufacturing depends on them,” said Larry Callahan, CEO of Patillo Industrial Real Estate, as the awards were presented.

Students from around the state submitted design entries featuring Georgia manufacturers and their products. Winners were named for grades 9-12, 6-8, and K-5. Smith won second place in a placemat design competition for elementary students.

During the ceremonies, Lt. Gov. Cagle named Georgia’s 2013 Manufacturers of the Year: Southwire Company in Carrollton and Douglas in the large manufacturer category (more than 500 employees); Nordson Corporation’s Swainsboro facility in the medium manufacturer category (150-500 employees); and Savannah’s DIRTT Environmental Solutions in the small manufacturer category (fewer than 150 employees).

The MAW Student Design Contest is held annually in conjunction with Manufacturers’ Appreciation Week and is designed to promote awareness of the important role manufacturing plays in the economy of the State of Georgia for elementary to high school students statewide. Co-hosted by the Technical College System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the awards luncheon is the highlight of MAW, celebrated this year April 1-5. This is the 19th year celebrating Manufacturing Appreciation Week in Georgia.

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Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR

912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, Savannah Technical College (Savannah Tech) is the premier provider of career-ready technical education in Coastal Georgia, offering a comprehensive range of nearly 150 market-driven programs, preparing students for high-demand careers including Aviation Technology, Cybersecurity, Health Sciences, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Automation & Robotics, Information Technology, Culinary Arts, Public Services and more. With campuses in Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty Counties, Savannah Tech serves more than 13,000 credit and non-credit students with a variety of pathways to success, including dual enrollment programs for high school students and specialized support services for military veterans and their families. Beyond academics, Savannah Tech is an economic and community development partner, collaborating with industry leaders to provide customized training programs, assessment services, and continuing education opportunities. For more information, visit www.savannahtech.edu.

Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Savannah Technical College complies with the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). The TCSG State Board prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual’s age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status (“protected status”). No individual shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any TCSG program or activity because of the individual’s protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual’s protected status, except the preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.