Five students have received Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s (GNTC) first Live4It Alliant Scholarship.

Amber Cheyanne Brown, Surgical Technology, Walker County Campus; Maria Ceasar, Health Care Management, Floyd County Campus; Audrey Powell, Health Care Assistant, Walker County Campus; Jake Ragan, Electrical Systems Technology, Floyd County Campus; and Raymond “Cole” Temples, Aviation Maintenance Technician, Floyd County Campus, are the scholarship’s first recipients.

Alliant Health Plans established the scholarship in 2023 to support students with financial need who are also well-rounded individuals who contribute to their community and engage in The Guiding Key Concepts of Live4It.

“Alliant Health Plans is committed to the overall health and wellness of our community,” said Mark Mixer, chief executive officer of Alliant Health Plans and Health One Alliance. “This includes the traditional means of health and wellness, such as connecting health care with health coverage, but it is so much more. Prediction and prevention, including a focus on social determinants of health, are keys to a positive trajectory for tomorrow’s generation.”

“We are excited about this new partnership with Alliant Health Plans,” said Dr. Heidi Popham, GNTC president. “Thanks to their generous donation, students will be able to stay on track and realize their educational goals. We are so grateful for the support and look forward to future collaboration.”

Established in 2019 when community organizations, health care entities and local employers teamed up to develop a program for health and wellness that connects hearts and minds, Live4It promotes four aims, which represent L-I-V-E: Lifestyle & Environment, Invest In One Another, Value Preventive Health, and Eat, Drink & Be Merry, according to live4it.com. The program Live4It provides tools, guidance and information for participants to live longer, healthier and happier lives.

“Alliant has joined together with Live4It and GNTC to nurture not just the technical skills of tomorrow's professionals but also their overall wellbeing,” said Amanda Reed, chief strategy officer of Alliant Health Plans and Health One Alliance. “This holistic approach reflects our commitment to cultivating a healthier, more vibrant community.”