South Georgia Technical College holds a graduation ceremony for high school equivalency
Published at 2:25pm Thursday, December 14, 2023
Written by Sue Ann Bird
AMERICA – Georgia Southern Technical College recently held its Fall 2023 High School Equivalency Commencement Ceremony at the John M. Pope Industrial Technology Center on the SGTC Americus Campus. Forty-one students earned a General Educational Development (GED) diploma and were honored for this achievement.
Katelyn M. Thorpe, a 2023 Georgia Tech College of Adult Education high school equivalency student, was the guest speaker at the event that included graduates from Sumter, Crisp, Macon, Marion, Schley, Taylor, Turner and Webster counties.
SGTC President Dr. John Watford opened the event and welcomed everyone to the graduation ceremony. “We are very proud of your accomplishments,” Dr. Watford told the graduates. “You set your goals and now you have achieved that milestone of graduation. Tonight, we also honor your teachers, family and friends who invested their time and helped you achieve your dreams.”
Dr Watford added: “But I encourage you not to stop now. There is a lot you can do. Consider continuing your education at SGTC. We are committed to you and to helping you achieve your goals. The next term will start in January and we are here to help you start a new journey.
Lily Ann Wynn, dean of Georgia Southern’s College of Adult Education Technology, echoed Dr. Watford’s congratulations and introduced Caitlin Thorpe as a guest speaker at the event. “Katelyn is a product of high school equivalency graduation in June 2023 and is now enrolled in the SGTC Early Childhood Education program,” Wayne said.
“Congratulations to each and every one of you here tonight,” said Caitlin Thorpe, adult education spokeswoman. “My journey began when I got my high school diploma when I was 22 years old. I had to get my GED in order to enroll in college. Twelve years later, I finally realized that goal and am now enrolled at South Georgia Technical College.
Jabari Bradley, Miguel Broca, Derica Daniels, Jala Davis, Anthony Foster, Ashley Garcia, Ilana Harper, Dwayne Jackson, Emily Kaufman, Jonny Lara, Christopher Morris, Shea Pace, Faith Taylor, Holly Willis, and Jagger Yoder;
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Thorpe said her family moved here in 2019, and although she has taken HSE classes elsewhere, South Georgia Technical College and the adult education program were the best she had experienced. “Moving here was the best thing ever, and South Georgia Technical College is the best college you can ever go to. They’re all about helping the students.”
Thorpe also shared that her goal is to be able to continue at SGTC, obtain her degree, and be able to work as a paraprofessional with special education students. She then encouraged the graduates to “be the bright spot for others and don’t wait, go ahead and enroll today at South Georgia Technical College.”
After Thorpe spoke, President Watford, SGTC Dean of Adult Education Lily Ann Wynn, and SGTC Adult Education Career Services Specialist Tracy Israel recognized the graduates and presented them with their diplomas and a token of appreciation.
Schley County alumni Cocas Huff, Skylar Stowe, and Grace Tallent;
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Adult education instructor Robbie Hidalgo of Crisp County delivered the invocation at the ceremony. Lisa Truitt provided piano selections including processional and traditional music for the graduates.
Below is a list of Georgia Southern Technical College high school equivalency graduates from individual districts who have earned their GED and the right to participate in the ceremony:
Sumter County
Jabari Bradley, Miguel Broca, Derica Daniels, Jala Davis, Anthony Foster, Ashley Garcia, Ilana Harper, Dwayne Jackson, Emily Kaufman, Jonny Lara, Christopher Morris, Shea Pace, Faith Taylor, Holly Willis, and Jagger Yoder;
Crisp County
Joshua Perry, Brendan Browning, Timothy Collier, Michael Davenport, Nicholas Day, Needy Flowers, Leslie Gaudreau, Valancia Jackson, Chad Jones, Jonathan Peacock, Kaitlyn Bettis, Natalie Starnes, Whitney Thornton, Brenna Wade, and Dixie Webb;
Macon County
Madison Green, Joshua Maigrant;
Marion County
Una Cunnington and Nicky Henderson;
Shelley County
Cocas Huff, Skyler Stowe, and Grace Talent;
Taylor County
Robert Rowland;
Webster County
Alexis Bordeaux, Tabanga Moncus, and Michael Peavey.
Lily Ann Wynn is the Southern Georgia Technical College Program Director for Adult Education for SDA 15, Lisa Jordan is the Administrative Assistant for Adult Education, Tracy Israel is the Career Services Specialist, Lisa Truitt is the HSE Senior Examiner, and Rodney Perry, Shuri Rand, and Kenya Wells are the Examiners. In the field of health, safety and environment. Adult education teachers at South Georgia Tech include: Ruby Hidalgo, Margie Everett, Lisa Faircloth, Lisa Holloway, James Ingram, Angie Kaufman, Mary King, Margie Martin, Daniel Payne, Tonya Visage, and Mary Wooldridge.
For more information about high school adult education equivalency classes, contact South Georgia Tech at 229.931.2565.
A full gallery of GED graduation photos can be found at: https://www.southgatech.edu/photo/sgtc-fall-2023-high-school-equvalency-graduation/
South Georgia Technical College recently celebrated the accomplishments of their students with a graduation ceremony for those who have earned their high school equivalency. It was a joyous and proud occasion as the students, their families, and the faculty came together to recognize the hard work and determination of these individuals. The ceremony, covered by the Americus Times Recorder, showcased the success stories of those who have overcome obstacles and persevered to reach this significant milestone. It was a testament to the dedication and support provided by South Georgia Technical College in helping these students achieve their educational goals.