Ten outstanding Tennessee Technology Center (TTC) students were recognized recently during the annual TTC Student of the Year luncheon at Chattanooga State Community College. The nominees were selected by their instructors from among 2,200 TTC students. In addition to community service, the nominees were chosen for their leadership, attendance and performance in the classroom. The students attended the luncheon accompanied by the instructors who nominated them for the honor.

Motorcycle and marine engine technology student, David Edney won the title of Outstanding Student of the Year for 2010-2011. Originally from Great Falls, Virginia, Mr. Edney came to Chattanooga when his wife Erin landed a job as an accountant.

A graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona, he is a retired United States Air Force veteran with 20 years of service.

While serving in the Air Force, Mr. Edney worked with satellite control and radio tracking operations. He went on to teach those skills to others. Later he worked with Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM). Before retiring, Mr. Edney also taught at the International Officers’ Training School where 89 countries from around the world were represented.

David Edney is involved in the TTC’s Motor Sports Club and Skills USA organizations. He will go on to compete on the state level against students selected by other technology centers. The grand prize awarded to the winner of the Outstanding Student of the Year state competition is a new car. The car is purchased with contributions from the state vocational chancellor and each of the TTC directors statewide.

Last year’s TTC Outstanding Student of the Year winner, Nicholas Daddona, offered advice to the nominees about competing on the state level. He urged the winner to “put (his) heart and soul into preparing for the next level” of competition. He attributes a lack of focus to his unsuccessful bid for the statewide title. Since graduating from the TTC’s massage therapy program last spring, Mr. Daddona has embarked on a public speaking tour in his native state of North Carolina. He attributes his new found vocation to serving as the National Secretary of Skills USA 2009-2010.

Nominees included Barbara Berry, a business systems technology student nominated by her instructor, Glenda Goodwin. Ms. Berry, a former factory worker, returned to school after she was laid-off from her job. Her instructor describes her as a person of integrity and trustworthiness. “She has perfect attendance and is never late,” says Ms. Goodwin.

Computer operations technology instructor, Jill Wentworth, nominated Josh Coffelt. Ms. Wentworth described Coffelt as a straight ‘A’ student who helps his fellow classmates and always exceeds expectations.”

Electricity/electronics instructor, Hugh Vines, chose nominee David Holmes. Mr. Vines described Holmes as having perfect attendance, a superior work ethic and the capacity to “follow instructions to the letter.”

Industrial maintenance instructor, David Burgess, nominated two students. Jay McNabb and Zeda Price were chosen for their leadership abilities in the classroom and in the community.

Jimmy Jones, motorcycle and marine technology instructor said the credentials of his three nominees were just too close to select only one. The outstanding attendance record, classroom performance and community outreach of David Edney, Clyde Synder and Jamie Russo warranted the recognition of all three students.

Welding instructor, Garry Holland, also nominated a trio of his best students. They included David George, Don Pogue and Diana Robinson. David George works part-time at American Display and plans to pursue an associate of applied technology degree when he completes the welding program. Don Pogue is a veteran who completed two tours of duty in Iraq. Ms. Robinson moved to Chattanooga from Huntsville, Al where she worked in industrial electronics until she was laid off from her job at Red Stone Arsenal. “I literally came here following the Volkswagen plant,” she says.

Those judging the contest admitted that the task was extremely difficult because of the outstanding resumes of each of the nominees. Judges included Debbie Adams, assistant vice president, Student Affairs; Doug Byrd, counselor, Career Services and Counseling; Sandra Cooke, enrollment services counselor, TTC; Julius Dodds, director, Eastgate site and Center for Education and Human Services; Jerome Gober, director and affirmative action officer, Human Resources; and Stephanie Hollis, counselor, Career Services and Counseling.

The Tennessee Technology Center at Chattanooga State Community College is the largest vocational training facility in the Tennessee Board of Regents system with me than 2,300 students, 21 one-year diploma programs and seven certificate programs. A total of 42 faculty and staff members are available to instruct, advise and mentor students. For more information about TTC programs and admissions, call (423) 697-4433.