Thirty-three students received their High School Equivalency (HSE) diplomas Tuesday, June 3, through the Youth Success Academy (YSA) at Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s (GNTC) Floyd County Campus in Rome.
Daryl West, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) youth instructor at GNTC, welcomed attendees to the ceremony, which was held at the Auditorium in Building A on the Floyd County Campus.
“You overcame barriers, doubts, responsibilities, academic struggles and all the wrenches that life has thrown your way,” said commencement speaker Kristen Sheeley, WIOA youth instructor. “Each one of you kept on going. Despite all odds, you have reached your goals.”
Sheeley urged the graduates not to give up and to stay resilient. She also encouraged them to remember and thank those people who supported them and pushed them to complete their diplomas.
Lindsay Hardin, WIOA youth instructor aide, presented the graduates. Sheeley and West awarded the diplomas.
Will Abercrombie, Hayden Astin, Gracie Atkins, Christian Ballard, Donnie Barnes, Timothy Browning, Michael Chatman, Bayley Crabtree, Emily Elrod, Sadie Ely, Adiel Granados-Ortiz, Jennifer Goicochea, Jayden Gonzalez, Angel Green, Tyler Harrell, Noah Herndon, Tristen Johnson, Karissa Ketterer, Levi King, Eliceo Miguel, Jesse Minter, Abbie Moody, Trinity Nieves-Carrion, Bransyn Parris, Troy Peek, Allyson Pegg, Tanishia Richardson, Zachary Shirley, Elizabeth Smiley, Ricardo Tomas, Savannah Weller, Lexus Williams and Tye Williams graduated from the Floyd County Campus program. Not all graduates participated in the YSA Graduation Ceremony.
YSA, sponsored through a partnership with GNTC and Northwest Georgia Regional Development Center, is specifically designed for out-of-school youth who wish to attain a High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma and a technical education. Students in the program prepare for the HSE exam and participate in job readiness trainings, as well as workshops and leadership activities.
The Youth Success Academy offers several programs including HSE diploma testing. The academy assists adults up to the age of 24 with college expenses, help with college enrollment and assistance in gaining experience in different career fields. For more information, contact the Floyd County Campus YSA at 706-295-6940 and the Walker County Campus YSA at 706-764-3783.
The Youth Success Academy program at GNTC’s Walker County Campus in Rock Spring held its graduation on May 13 at Peavine Baptist Church in Rock Spring.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College provides quality workforce education to the citizens of northwest Georgia. Students have the opportunity to earn an associate degree, diploma or a certificate in aviation, business, health, industrial or public service career paths. This past year, 13,775 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs. GNTC has an annual credit enrollment of 8,836 students and an additional enrollment of 4,939 people through adult education, continuing education, business and industry training and Georgia Quick Start.
(From left, front row) GNTC Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) youth instructor Kristen Sheeley, GNTC WIOA youth instructor aide Lindsay Hardin, Lexus Williams, Tristen Johnson, Elizabeth Smiley, Allyson Pegg, Sadie Ely, Savannah Weller, Bayley Crabtree, Levi King, Donnie Barnes, GNTC WIOA youth instructor Daryl West; (second row) Tye Williams, Will Abercrombie, Ricardo Tomas, Adiel Granados-Ortiz, Michael Chatman, Tyler Harrell; (back row) Emily Elrod, Abbie Moody and Karissa Ketterer pose for a picture before GNTC’s Floyd County Campus Youth Success Academy graduation on June 3.
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