South Georgia Technical College holds Fall GED graduation ceremony

   South Georgia Technical College held its 2019 Fall General Educational Development Diploma (GED) Graduation ceremony in the John M. Pope Industrial Technology Center on the SGTC Americus campus recently.

   Heather Hinton, the South Georgia Technical College 2019 Eagle Delegate and an SGTC GED graduate, was the guest speaker at the ceremony where 34 students from Sumter, Crisp, Schley, Macon, Marion, Taylor and Webster counties received their general equivalency diplomas.   

   “I can say that this is going to be a great Christmas for all of you,” said Hinton as she began her talk.  “Getting your GED is not only the best gift you earned for yourself, but for your family as well.  You are finishing this year with your GED and giving yourself a fresh start for the new year.”

    Hinton also told the graduates that, “you all inspire me, because you put in the hard work, time and the energy to gain something no one can take away from you.  We all go through things in life that sometimes knock us down but the sheer fact you all pushed through that and are here tonight speaks volumes.  I would like to close with a quote by Abraham Maslow, ‘you will either step forward into growth, or step backward into safety.’  Each of you has inspired me tonight because you stepped forward.”

  South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford welcomed the graduates, faculty members, family and friends who came to the Pope Center for the ceremony.  He also congratulated the graduates on their achievements and told them that graduations were one of the most favorite parts of his job as President. 

    “You are here today and you deserve to be honored for your accomplishment of achieving this diploma.  Congratulations on your decision to attend South Georgia Technical College.  Congratulations on choosing to earn your GED and to come to class.  There is nothing that you cannot conquer or overcome.  But you have come too far to only come this far. You have proven to yourself that you can do anything.  Nothing in your life will be more difficult that what you have already accomplished and I encourage you to continue your educational journey,” said President Watford.

   Dr. Watford also shared with the graduates, their families, and friends that college admissions’ officials were waiting in the lobby to accept an application for Spring Semester 2020 which starts January 9, 2020.  “We are waiving the $25 application fee for anyone who applies tonight.  Each of these graduates will also receive a $500 scholarship for attaining their GED diploma, so it just makes sense to continue your education.”

   Lillie Ann Winn, South Georgia Tech Dean of Adult Education, echoed Dr. Watford’s congratulations and introduced Heather Hinton as the guest speaker for the event.  “Heather earned the right to speak tonight.  She has been where you are now.  We live by our student’s successes and she is an inspiration to all of us. She is earning a double major in Computer Information Systems and Networking Support, she is the acting president of PBL, and has also served as a volunteer and mentor to the other GED graduates. That all started right here,” said Winn.

     After Hinton’s talk, President Watford, and SGTC Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Adult Education Winn recognized the graduates and presented them with their diplomas.

   Adult Education instructor Robbie Edalgo Rev. delivered the invocation at the ceremony.  Lisa Truitt provided the piano selections including the traditional processional and music for the graduates.    

   Listed below are the GED graduates from the individual counties who earned the right to participate in the ceremony:

Sumter County

Zackery Barley, Mikayla Clemente, Johnny Durham, Noah Foster, Bailey Gaultney, Alexzander Hale, Camryn Hernandez, Cassidy LaFortune, Kaleb Lankford, Shanikqua Lewis, Alicia McKelvey, Jessie Melton, Jr., Jeremy Merritt, Hannah Morrow, Clarence Saint, Jermaine Solomon, Derick Stokes, Christian Torres, Qwentavian Tyson, and Devin Williams;.

Crisp County

Douglas Boothe, Phillip Bowen, Zachary Clements, Britany Foster, Seth Johnson, Ocean Rocker, and Jaden Woodson;

Schley County

Michelle Grinolds and Colby Register;

Marion County

Colton Burke and Phillip Tumlinson;

Macon County

Rebecca Dowdy;

Taylor County

Jonathan Smith;

Webster County

Dreyson Scott.

   Lillie Ann Winn is the South Georgia Technical College PA for Adult Education for SDA 15, Lisa Jordan is the Adult Education Administrative Assistant, Lisa Truitt is the GED Chief Examiner and Sherri Martin, Shuri Rand, Ed Turley and Kenia Wills are GED Examiners.  The South Georgia Tech Adult Education instructors include:  Cindy Bagwell, Robbie Edalgo, Betty Ann Eschmann, Lissa Faircloth, Alanna Goolsby, Angie Kauffman, Mary King, Connie Mathis, Daniel Payne, Tonya Visage, Virginia Wilson and Mary Wooldridge.  Tracy Israel is the Adult Education Transition Specialist

     For more information about the Adult Education and GED classes, contact South Georgia Tech at 229.931.2565.