CHATTANOOGA, TN -- Meet Amanda Sovago-Royal, a graduate of Chattanooga State Community College, who has been recognized as the 2024 Technical College Student of the Year by the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR). 

Each year, TBR recognizes two exemplary students from across the College System of Tennessee as Statewide Outstanding Achievement Awards (SOAR) recipients. They are selected based on an essay submission, a three-part interview process, and other criteria including being in good standing at their educational institutions. Each SOAR Award winner represents a Tennessee Technical College and Community College, respectively. 

An April 2024 graduate of Tennessee College of Applied Technology at ChattState, Sovago-Royal now works as a Licensed Massage Therapist & Men’s Massage Specialist in Chattanooga. 

Opportunities for Success 

A faculty member must nominate a student for consideration. They then compete against other students in three interviews at the local, regional, and statewide levels for a $5,000 prize and a SOAR medal. 

Sovago-Royal said the interviews focused on personal and professional skills and motivations. She was asked how she represents TCAT at ChattState, how she gives back to her community, and why she chose to attend a TBR institution. 

“Even to be nominated by my instructor, Renee Johnson, was a huge deal. But to win the award—to be in the room with so many important people who have achieved and accomplished so much—it was a big moment,” she said. 

Massage Therapy at ChattState: Getting Started 

Sovago-Royal chose to return to college as an adult student to start a new career in massage therapy after her father died from an unexpected medical complication, which pushed her to specialize in men’s health. 

“Men have higher rates of stress and suicide, and self-care is often ignored or seen by many as something feminine,” she said. “That’s why I chose it; it struck a chord with me because of my experience with my dad.” 

She also chose massage therapy because it allows her to create a flexible schedule: “I knew entrepreneurship would allow me to be a successful single parent.”  

Receiving the SOAR award served as both a boost to her confidence and a reminder that she is capable of anything she sets her mind to, Sovago-Royal said. 

“I struggle with imposter syndrome, and winning the award made me think, ‘Amanda, you really are the bomb,’” she said. “All that hard work, all those tears, they were for something. This is the proof.” 

Charting a Path to Career Success 

The $5,000 cash prize allowed her to jumpstart her own business. 

“With the award came a cash prize that I did not know about,” she said. “Winning that award allowed me to buy an electric table lift, supplies, and everything else I needed.” 

Sovago-Royal said in addition to the opportunities, financial aid, and cash prizes available to her at ChattState and via TBR’s SOAR Award, her own persistence helped her be prepared to hit the ground running after graduation. 

"Even though they were paying $20 for a massage at the ChattState clinic, they’re paying me over $100 now, and they’re happy to do it,” she said. “When people see you trying, they will want to support you.” 

While enrolled at ChattState, Sovago-Royal also served as a Tennessee SkillsUSA State Officer. 

In April 2024, Sovago-Royal—along with teammates Matthew Nelson, Daeja Beckom, Sarah Kirk, Breanna Holloway, Emmalea Linebarger, and Breanna Foster—brought home a gold medal in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies competition at the SkillsUSA statewide competition, held in Chattanooga. 

In June, her team progressed to the national competition in Atlanta, where they again won a gold medal in Opening and Closing Ceremonies. 

SkillsUSA co-lead advisor Mike Mercer said competitors develop both professional skills and personal confidence while competing, either by learning they can perform well under pressure and scrutiny or by earning a medal. 

“It is rigorous; it's not a simple competition,” Mercer said. “It gives students a sense of accomplishment by choosing a contest, practicing, and competing. SkillsUSA gives them future job skills, and it looks good on a resume.” 

Motivation comes in many forms from many sources. For Sovago-Royal, hers is close to her heart. 

“I want to succeed for myself, my daughter, my family, and my instructor,” she said. “I also want to succeed as a representative of ChattState. If it weren't for ChattState and Tennessee Reconnect, I could not have done all this. That's my way of giving back. I invest in those who invested in me.”