From STAFF REPORTS

AMERICUS — Charles Kinnamon of Americus was selected as the recipient of the South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) Lt. Michael Sangster Law Enforcement Academy endowed scholarship from the SGTC Law Enforcement Academy (LEA) Class of 17-01.
Kinnamon earned his Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification from the SGTC Law Enforcement Academy. Kinnamon also received the Highest Academic Award for earning the highest academic marks in the 17-01 graduating class as well as the Top Gun award for scoring the highest marks on the gun range skills test.
“I have always had a great deal of unconditional love and respect for my country ever since I was a child,” said Kinnamon. “Seeing the waving stars and stripes and hearing the Star-Spangled Banner always bring me a feeling of overwhelming pride. This extreme patriotic spirit and love of country drive me every day and motivate me to reach higher and higher goals. Being a part of the thin blue line puts me among all those who serve and are willing to pay the ultimate price for the protection and safety of others.”
Kinnamon also thanked the Michael Sangster family for providing the scholarship which will be a tremendous help in assisting him with the finances to continue his college education. “As a Peace Officer, my duty will be to protect and serve the citizens of my community and in so doing, I intend to receive as much education as I can in order to serve them better and to the best of my ability. All my education up to this point in my life has molded me into a man who believes in selfless service to others. Education builds confidence, broadens perspective, increases strength, and raises self-awareness. I am very thankful for this opportunity,” said Kinnamon.
SGTC Law Enforcement Academy instructor and Academic Affairs Dean Vanessa Wall made the announcement of the Lt. Michael Sangster scholarship recipient during the graduation ceremony. Sangster’s mother, Connie Sangster Youngblood, his sister, Melissa Sangster, and his father, Bob Sangster, were on hand to present the certificate and the scholarship check. This is the eighth Lt. Michael Sangster scholarship that has been awarded at SGTC since 2012.
Lt. Michael Sangster was an officer with the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office and served as a volunteer instructor for the SGTC Law Enforcement Academy from the inception of the program. He lost his battle with cancer and passed away in 2012, at the age of 35. With the help of LEA students, friends, SGTC faculty and staff, and Lou Crouch, the Sangster family was able to endow a scholarship in his memory for SGTC LEA students.
Michael Sangster of Cordele held numerous POST certifications, including general instructor, firearms instructor, defensive tactics instructor, TASER instructor, and driver instructor.
Sangster was born in Dooly County but spent most of his life in Cordele. He has a son, Caleb.
“On behalf of South Georgia Technical College and the South Georgia Technical College Foundation, I would like to thank the Sangster family, Lou Crouch and the other individuals who donated to this particular scholarship for partnering with us,” said South Georgia Technical College President John Watford, Ph.D. “We appreciate the opportunities that this scholarship is providing for our deserving Law Enforcement Academy students. Your investment in an endowed scholarship will continue to give back to our students indefinitely. We appreciate everything you are doing for our students and our community. Thank you again for recognizing the value of the educational opportunities and for supporting this effort. The students you help today will be the public servants that we count on tomorrow in our local communities.”