South Georgia Technical College holds High School Equivalency graduation ceremony
South Georgia Technical College recently held its Fall 2024 High School Equivalency graduation ceremony in the John M. Pope Industrial Technology Center on the SGTC Americus campus. Twenty-three students earned their General Educational Development (GED) Diploma and were recognized for that accomplishment.
James Ingram, South Georgia Technical College Adult Education Instructor at Sumter County Corrections, was the guest speaker at the event, which featured graduates from Sumter, Crisp, Macon, Marion, Schley, Turner, and Webster counties.
Shown above are the SGTC Adult Education faculty and staff members.
SGTC President Dr. John Watford opened the event and welcomed everyone to the graduation ceremony. “Tonight, is a night to enjoy your accomplishments and celebrate. Everyone has his or her own story and I know that each of you had to overcome something to make it to this point tonight. You had to dig deep and work, day in and day out, to reach this milestone. But you dug deep and you made it. We are very proud of you.”
Dr. Watford also took time to recognize the friends and family members of the graduates.
“Tonight, we also recognize your teachers, your family, and friends who have invested their time and helped you achieve your dreams.” He also encouraged them to keep going. “There is so much more that you can do. Consider continuing your education at SGTC. We are committed to you and to helping you realize your goals. Our next semester starts in January and we are here to help you begin a new journey.”
Tracy Israel, South Georgia Tech Dean of Adult Education, echoed Dr. Watford’s congratulations and introduced James Ingram as the guest speaker for the event. James Ingram is retired from the United States Army and a retiree from the United States Social Security Administration. He is a graduate of The Fort Valley State University with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership. He is also very active in his community and teaches the adult education classes at the Sumter County Corrections facility.
“Congratulations to each of you here tonight,” said Adult Education speaker James Ingram. “Each of you have reached an all-important place in your lives. You have on your cap and gown and have marched out to pomp and circumstance. You have successfully overcome obstacles to obtain your diploma. But don’t let this be the end. Let this be the beginning. I strongly encourage you to keep going.
“The credentials that you earned are a stepping stone, not a stumbling block. You successfully completed four years of high school in just four tests. That is an awesome accomplishment and one that will now open doors to higher education and job opportunities. Today is a turning point in your lives, and you have numerous opportunities now for success. Take advantage of those opportunities,” added Ingram.
After Ingram’s talk, President Watford, SGTC Dean of Adult Education Tracy Israel and SGTC Adult Education Instructor Tonya Visage recognized the graduates and presented them with their diplomas and a token of appreciation.
Adult Education instructor Margie Martin, Adult Education Instructor for Schley County and the SGTC Adult Education Instructor of the Year for 2025, 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 South Georgia Technical College High School Equivalency graduates from the individual counties who earned their GED and the right to participate in the ceremony:
Sumter County
Kimberly Aguirre Gonzalez, Makayla Avery, Bradley Blair-Broyles, Arabella Britton, Brenda Lizarrage Burciaga, Raiheem Mathis, Trevor Tondee and Amanda West;
Crisp County
Christian Grimes, Zachary Kendrick, Ava Morris, Naomi Walton, and Brayden Wright;
Macon County
Taylor Powell, Nicole Singletary, and Robert Singletary;
Marion County
Jada Payne and Hannah Scott;
Turner County
Landon Hutto;
Webster County
Dustin Bell, Keegan Burdue, Robert Cobb, and Jaelyn Hunter
Tracy Israel is the South Georgia Technical College Program Administrator for Adult Education for SDA 15, Lisa Jordan is the Adult Education Administrative Assistant, Lisa Truitt is the Career Services Specialist, Lisa Holloway is the lead instructor, and Jenny Williams is the IET/WPL Coordinator. Michael Simmons is the HSE Chief Examiner, and Rodney Perry, Shuri Rand are HSE Examiners. The South Georgia Tech Adult Education instructors include: Margie Everett, Lissa Faircloth, James Ingram, Mary King, Margie Martin, Daniel Payne, LaDaisha Rumph, Sandra Dantes, Tonya Visage, and Destiny Walker.
For more information about the Adult Education High School Equivalency classes, contact South Georgia Tech at 229.931.2565. A complete gallery of the GED graduation photos can be found at: https://www.southgatech.edu/photo/sgtc-fall-2024-ged-graduation/