South Georgia Technical College held its 2023 Summer High School Equivalency graduation ceremony recently in the John M. Pope Industrial Technology Center on the SGTC Americus campus. Thirty-five students earned their General Educational Development (GED) Diploma and were recognized for that accomplishment.
Roger Lopez, a South Georgia Technical College 2023 High School Equivalency graduate was the guest speaker at the event, which featured graduates from Sumter, Schley, Crisp, Macon, Taylor, and Webster counties.
Lillie Ann Winn, Dean of Adult Education at SGTC, introduced Roger Lopez and utilized a quote from Muhammad Ali. ‘If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it – then I can achieve it.’ Winn said, “that quote sums up the determination displayed by Roger Lopez, our speaker and a 2023 graduate. He began this journey in 2018 and completed his last exam on April 4, 2023. His determination paid off.”
“Congratulations to each of you here tonight,” said Lopez. “I am 42 years old and a GED graduate. I work full-time, am a full-time husband and parent and tonight I am a graduate. I have always told my daughters that education is the key to success, but I knew that I needed to set the example for them. So that lit a fire for me to return and get my GED.
“It has not been easier but I did it and each of these graduates tonight have accomplished this through hard work and determination. We all had a ‘never give up’ attitude and look where we are tonight. I encourage anyone who has not completed your education to sign up today because education is the key to success,” explained Lopez.
Lopez plans to continue his education at South Georgia Technical College and enroll in the Commercial Truck Driving Program. He also hopes to own his own truck and start his own company.
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford thanked the graduates and their families and friends for supporting each other and this celebration. “We know that these graduates didn’t do this in a vacuum,” said Dr. Watford. “They had help and support from family and friends, and we appreciate your part in helping them reach this milestone.”
Dr. Watford added that this goal “took commitment and hard work. Enjoy this moment. You have earned it.” Then he challenged the graduates to always continue learning and encouraged them to continue their education with South Georgia Technical College.
“Statistics show that adults who complete their GED’s are more successful in college and on the job. Don’t let this be the end of your educational journey. Accomplish more goals and we hope you do that here at South Georgia Technical College,” said Watford.
After Lopez’s talk, President Watford, Dean of Adult Education Winn and Adult Education Career Services Specialist Tracy Israel recognized the graduates and presented them with their diplomas and a token of appreciation.
Adult Education instructor Robbie Edalgo from Crisp County delivered the invocation at the ceremony. Lisa Truitt, Adult Education GED Chief Examiner, 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
Amya Oriana Castleberry, Susan Bana Diaz, Catherine Grace Ekkel, Gavin Bryce Hale, Alissa D. Harbuck, Anthony Latuan Jenkins, Keneesha Jones, Roger Lopez, Ray McKinley, Dydan Miller, Ashley Danielle Millwood, Daniel L. Peevy, Katelyn Morgan Thorpe, and Tanner Carl Walker;
Crisp County
Joshua Evan Brandenburg, Ethan Kenneth Chalk, Eric Bernard Goolsby, Jayden Stephen Hancock, Ryah Janaria Johnson, Jillian Wyeth roark, Raven Roberts, Veronique Chantal Simmons, Matheau’ B. Tobias, and Christopher Colton Westbury;
Schley County
Ludie Bell, Angel Macias, Allissa Natasha Parrish, and Zoey Michelle Ussery;
Macon County
Hezekiah Lee Gilbert, Izeck T. Knight, Alyssa Danielle-Ann Mygrant; and Rusty Justin Wilkes;
Taylor County
Gavin Thomas and Jonah Robbins;
Webster County
Chrishawn Ry’Kell Hollis
Lillie Ann Winn 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 GED Chief Examiner and Rodney Perry, Shuri Rand, and Kenia Wills are GED Examiners. The South Georgia Tech Adult Education instructors include: Robbie Edalgo, Margie Everett, Lissa Faircloth, James Ingram, Angie Kauffman, Mary King, Margie Martin, Daniel Payne, Fran Sawyer, Deborah Story, Tonya Visage, and Mary Wooldridge. Tracy Israel is the Adult Education Career Services Specialist.
For more information about the Adult Education High School Equivalency classes, contact South Georgia Tech at 229.931.2565.