Georgia CTI Hosts 2025 State Leadership Conference & Competition at Rock Eagle
Eatonton, GA — April 21, 2025 — Georgia CTI proudly hosted the 43rd annual State Leadership Conference and Competition (SLC) April 16–18 at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton, Georgia.
This three-day event brought together over 500 students from across the state, 140 judges, 94 CTI Coordinators, paraprofessionals, and 50 adult chaperones to celebrate a year of achievement in CTI, recognize student growth and talent, and showcase the skills gained through each student’s chosen career pathway.
Competition was the heart of the event, with 426 students competing in 55 pathways. An additional 146 students participated in leadership sessions led by Rock Eagle staff, CTI Coordinators, board members, and volunteers. Students had opportunities to practice networking, build team skills, and explore virtual work experiences with Be Pro Be Proud.
During downtime, students visited the museum, hiked, kayaked, fished, and enjoyed basketball, volleyball, lawn games, a game truck, Kona Ice, Gimme That Sugar, a foam party, water slides, and the annual silent disco. The annual talent show was another highlight, featuring singing, dancing, baton twirling, instruments, and DJ performances.
We were also honored to present the Career Focused Golden Key Award to Lu Nations Miller, a lifelong advocate for career education whose decades of service have impacted generations of Georgia students through CTI and workforce development.
At the close of the event, the 2024–2025 State Officers officially handed the reins to a newly elected team, who will begin their leadership journey in May at Officer Training and the Georgia CTSO Summer Leadership Summit.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to GVRA, the Georgia DOE CTAE Division, our Board of Directors, dedicated judges, volunteers, Dr. Barbara Wall, Chris Wells, the Rock Eagle 4-H Center staff, and our generous supporters who made this event possible.
The 2025 SLC was a powerful celebration of student success, leadership, and the promise of bright futures.
For further information, please contact:
Mary Davis Donahue
Georgia CTI Executive Director
(P) 678.617.0439 | (F) 706.314.9624
3 Central Plaza, #245, Rome, GA 30161
About Georgia CTI
Our Mission: To provide meaningful transition activities through leadership and employability experiences for students with disabilities in grades 9-12 identified through career, technical, and agricultural education courses in order to increase postsecondary outcomes.