NGT horticulture, turf management students place high in PLANET competition

CLARKESVILLE - A contingency of 19 high performing students from the Environmental Horticulture and Turf and Golf Course Management Departments at North Georgia Technical College (NGT) has just returned from the 36th Annual PLANET Student Career Days competition held at Kansas State University.

North Georgia Tech participated for the third consecutive year, and this time the college was represented in each of the 28 contests that highlight the industries diversity in the "green" industry.

Competing against a total of 769 students from 64 schools, NGTC students garnered several top ten finishes while Ryan Harper of Hartwell, in his second PLANET appearance, achieved an 11th place overall ranking. Dustin Bucher and Ryan Harper placed 3rd in Hardscape Installation, Michael de Jong of Clarkesville placed 5th in Sales Presentation, Johnathan Merck of Clarkesville placed 5th in Skid Steer Operation, Ryan Harper and Willie Waldman of Blairsville placed 8th in the Wood Construction event, and Dustin Bucher of Clarkesville placed 10th in the Tractor Loader Backhoe Operation.

The NGTC team competed against both two-year and four-year colleges and universities such as BYU, Chattahoochee Tech, Penn State, Ohio State, Auburn, North Carolina State, University of Georgia, Michigan State, Clemson and Mississippi State just to name a few.

The team was accompanied by instructors Craig Thurmond and Josh Jackson.

"It was a great job by all," said NGT Vice President of Academic Affairs Rex Bishop. "It is an extremely demanding event and our students should be proud of their accomplishments. NGTC was 6th among the 29 two year colleges. This achievement was only possible through the dedication of both our students and their instructors."

"Mr. Jackson and I are extremely proud of our students that took time out of their busy lives and daily schedules to prepare for and attend this competition," said Craig Thurmond. "Our goal for this year's team was to prepare and to enter all of the 28 events and complete strong as a team and reach the top 20 in the country. Our students represented all of us well and with pride and have already begun preparing for next year's PLANET competition to be located in Auburn Alabama at Auburn University."

"We truly believe that each student that attended not only learned something about the "green" industry and job opportunities," continued Thurmond. "They also learned something about themselves and the quality of education that they are receiving here at NGTC."

"Our congratulations to all the students who took part in the PLANET competition," said Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Mike King. "They did a fantastic job against some strong competition. This was a very successful outcome for these students as they represented their programs and North Georgia Technical College."

Student Career Days is an annual three-day competitive event among students enrolled in horticulture programs from colleges and universities across the country and internationally. www.northgatech.edu.