From STAFF REPORTS

AMERICUS – The Kyle Glenn Holcombe Memorial Scholarship was recently presented to South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) electrical lineworker students Antonio B. Thornton and Hunter O’Neal recently.
Hunter O’Neal is the son of Anita and Jeff O’Neal of Buena Vista and Antonio Thornton is the son of Gloria Hall of Buena Vista.
The Kyle Glenn Holcombe Memorial Scholarship fund was established and endowed by Georgia Transmission and Aubrey Silvey Enterprises in memory of Kyle Glenn Holcombe, a 23-year-old electrical worker who was employed by Aubry Silvey Enterprises in Carrollton.
Both Thornton and O’Neal expressed appreciation to the Holcombe family and SGTC for the scholarship opportunity.
“I would like to express my condolences to the family of Kyle Holcombe. As a student enrolled in the electrical lineworker program, I find a lot of similarities between me and Kyle. I also have a great, loving family and a strong relationship with my mom and dad,” said O’Neal, when he applied for the scholarship.
Both of O’Neal’s parents have had medical challenges and have been unable to work.
“Money has been tight, but we have made it,” he said. “One of the main reasons I joined this program was because of the short length and the possibility of getting a job as soon as possible to help support my parents. Right now it is a struggle putting me through college even with a short program and this scholarship is greatly appreciated.”
Thornton also expressed his deepest condolences to the Holcombe family and thanked them for the scholarship.
“I had to give up my full-time employment since the electrical lineworker classes are Monday through Friday,” he said. “I am a 41-year-old father of seven-year-old Madison Grace. I am an Army veteran and a firefighter/EMT. I came to South Georgia Technical College to inquire about the nursing program but then someone shared the information about the lineman program with me and the possibilities that could follow upon completion. I am glad they did!
“Given my ‘age’ and the nature of the work, I was very skeptical but, even more so determined to secure a career that would allow my daughter to receive a higher quality of education and life while continuing to serve the community I love.”
Both Thornton and O’Neal love the electrical lineworker program, the instructors, and the hands on training that they have received.
“For the time invested and the possible return, you can’t beat it,” laughed Thornton. “And you can go anywhere in the world if you want to, because everyone needs power.”
The Kyle Glenn Holcombe Memorial Scholarship is the first scholarship designated specifically to the SGTC electrical lineworker program.
Kyle Glenn Holcombe was born Jan. 21, 1981, at North East Alabama Regional Medical Center in Anniston, Alabama. His parents are Glenn and Joni Holcombe of Fruithurst, Alabama. He was a loving, hard-working young man with many hopes and dreams and will be missed by his parents, as well as his sister Tracy and her husband Marc Mayfield, and their two children Annsley and Austen.
“We hope this scholarship will have a long lasting impact on the lives of the young men and women who will benefit from this gift,” said Kyle’s mother, Joni. “Kyle was an extraordinary young man and we hope that this scholarship will be a tribute to his memory as well as provide assistance to other deserving, outstanding students.”
The Kyle Glenn Holcombe Memorial Scholarship endowment will guarantee indefinite educational opportunities that will impact students at SGTC for many years. Each recipient of the Kyle Glenn Holcombe Memorial Scholarship will receive a photo of Kyle and a note from the family congratulating them on their accomplishment.