MOULTRIE — A former U.S. Army secretary and mother of two boys was named as Moultrie Technical College’s 2008 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner.

Barbara Hayes, a practical nursing student at Moultrie Tech, was selected as the winner Monday at a GOAL luncheon, held at Moultrie Tech’s Veterans Parkway campus. She was selected out of 37 nominees, the most in the college’s history, and four finalists.

Hayes said it felt so good to be named as the college’s 36th GOAL winner. She is looking ahead to the state GOAL competition May 20 through May 23 in Atlanta and hopes to win the state.

“I am looking forward to going to Atlanta and bringing a win to Moultrie Tech,” Hayes said.

Having enrolled at Moultrie Tech in 2006, Hayes said she got into the practical nursing program in the fall of 2007. She is re-entering college after serving a brief stint in the Army as secretary of the bomb squad. She wants to explore her options after graduating from the nursing program.

“The future is bright for me in nursing,” Hayes said.

Practical nursing instructor Stephanie Ellis, who nominated Hayes, said she was extremely proud Hayes was named the winner. She is an exceptional student with high morals and an excellent work ethic. Hayes shows she will be a great nurse with her classroom and experience, she said.

“Her level of professionalism and caring attention to others is exemplified when she is giving patient care,” Ellis said.

Moultrie Tech President Tina Anderson said the luncheon was a day to celebrate the college’s student of the year. She told Hayes she was excited to see her win and hopes she can be named the state’s GOAL winner also.

“You’re our winner,” Anderson said, “and we are very proud of you.”