OTC Alumna Hannah Bugos wins National Restorative Art Award
Posted on Nov 12, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Alumna Hannah Bugos of the Funeral Service Education program at Ogeechee Technical College has earned first place in the Inaugural Restorative Art Technical Showcase held at the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Annual Conference in Chicago (October 26-29).
“Winning the Restorative Art competition in Chicago is more than a personal victory for Hannah, it's a tribute to the dedication, precision, and compassion that defines the art of funeral service. Her achievement honors both the science and the soul of our profession,” said OTC Instructor, Michele Rupar-Smith.
The showcase highlights one of the most important aspects of funeral profession work: restoring dignity and peace for grieving families. Each of the 8 competitors were given a model with varying degrees of trauma and given a two-hour window to restore the appearance to a natural state, while cameras captured the process and judges observed closely.
Bugos gave a special recognition to Ogeechee Tech for the education and training that supported her success. “It was exciting to win and get the opportunity to travel to Chicago and apply the skills I learned in my Restorative Art class at OTC,” she said. “Mrs. Rupar always reminded me that Restorative Art was a small but important part of funeral service education, and that I still had much more to learn and build upon. Even then, it was extremely exciting to be recognized for this part of the art of funeral service.”
During the contest, a professional video crew captured the competition for a special behind-the-scenes documentary. Bugos’s grand prize package included a trophy, Restorative Art Technical Showcase Champion’s lab coat, $500 in gift cards, a post-mortem restorative cosmetics kit, and free registrations for upcoming expos and trainings.
To learn more about the Ogeechee Technical College Funeral Service Education program please visit, www.ogeecheetech.edu/FSRV.
About Ogeechee Technical College:
Ogeechee Technical College (OTC) is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia. OTC provides student‐centered academic and occupational programs and support services at the associate degree, diploma, and certificate levels. OTC utilizes traditional and distance education methodologies in state-of-the-art facilities while supporting adult education, continuing education, and customized business and industry workforce training. Visit www.ogeecheetech.edu for more information.
Contact Information
Sean Payne
Executive Director for Public Relations & Marketing
912.871.8559 | spayne@ogeecheetech.edu
- Categories:
- News
- Press Releases
- Tags:
- Diamond Pride
- Award
- Funeral Service Education