The students were selected from a field of high-performing high school students within Gwinnett County Public Schools. The students were honored during an awards banquet on March 22, 2017, at the Busbee Center of Gwinnett Technical College.
The 2017 GCPS winners are:
• Matthew McDaniel of Archer High School— Overall Winner Recipient of a $1,000 scholarship provided by Gwinnett Employer Committee
• Keyon Whyte of Duluth High School— 1st runner up Recipient of a $750 scholarship provided by Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association
• Chase Matheson of Phoenix High School— 2nd runner up Recipient of a $500 scholarship provided by Gwinnett Employee Committee
In addition to naming the district’s top Career and Technical Education students, the annual recognition saluted the top students from each high school. Honorees from each high school include:
• Matthew McDaniel of Archer High School
• Luis Ramirez of Berkmar High School
• Angelica Wagner of Brookwood High School • Ryan Avril of Central Gwinnett High School
• Madelyn Thornberry of Collins Hill High School
• Ray Haggins III of Dacula High School
• Genevieve Vianey of Discovery High School
• Keyon Whyte of Duluth High School
• Mark Thompson of Grayson High School
• Dante Rhodes of Grayson Technical Program (Dante attends South Gwinnett High School and is enrolled in Career and Technical Education courses at Grayson Technical Program)
• Clarisse Matyczyk of Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology
• Nellie Bugera of Lanier High School
• Lesley Aguirre-Cardenas of Maxwell High School of Technology (Lesley attends Shiloh High School and is enrolled in Career and Technical Education courses at Maxwell High School of Technology)
• Aljon Pineda of Meadowcreek High School
• Carter Neely of Mill Creek High School
• Clara Sulek of Mountain View High School
• Alexis Gutierrez of Norcross High School
• Michael Tralongo of North Gwinnett High School
• Judy Liu of Parkview High School
• Citlali Mota of Peachtree Ridge High School
• Chase Matheson of Phoenix High School
• Olivia Bill of Shiloh High School
• William Healy of South Gwinnett High School
The selection process requires nominated students to submit a transcript, a letter of recommendation from the nominating teacher, information on participation in a Career and Technical student organization, examples of community service, and an essay. The final requirement was an interview conducted by a panel of judges consisting of business and industry leaders which included representation from the Gwinnett County Department of Labor.
