Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s (GNTC) Office of Adult Education held its Spring 2026 Graduation Ceremony on Thursday, June 25, for 51 students who have earned their High School Equivalency (HSE) diplomas.
The ceremony was held at the Conference Center on GNTC’s Gordon County Campus in Calhoun to accommodate students and families from all nine counties of GNTC’s service area.
Lisa Shaw, vice president of Adult Education at GNTC, began with a welcome and introductions, following the processional led by Dr. Derrick McDaniel, Adult Education instruction director at GNTC.
“This ceremony marks more than just the fulfillment of a goal or completion of an educational goal,” Shaw said. “It marks the fulfillment of a personal goal—a commitment that you made to yourself to build a better future.”
“Earning your High School Equivalency is a tremendous achievement, but even more, it is a celebration,” Shaw said. “It is a celebration of your resilience, your determination and your grit. It’s also a celebration of the door that you’ve opened for your future.”
Dr. Heidi Popham, GNTC president, gave opening remarks. She reminded graduates that education is not a destination, but a continuous journey.
“Your High School Equivalency is a stepping stone to further opportunities, higher education and a realization of future goals,” Dr. Popham said. “This accomplishment is not the end. Don’t let it be the end. It is the beginning of a new chapter filled with unlimited possibilities.”
The ceremony’s guest speaker was Troyanna “Troy” Foster, GNTC’s Adult Education Teacher of the Year for 2026. Foster, Adult Basic Education (ABE) instructor for Adult Education in Floyd County, has 11 years of teaching experience, including three in her current position at GNTC.
“Adult Education makes what seems impossible possible,” Foster said. “It gives students of all ages hope for their future.”
“Earning your High School Equivalency is not simply passing a test,” Foster said. “It is making a decision that your future matters. It is believing that your story is not over. It is choosing growth over excuses, opportunities over fear and hope over doubt.”
Laurie Brooks, Career Services specialist at GNTC, presented the graduation certificates.
Listed are the graduates who participated in the Spring 2026 Adult Education Graduation Ceremony showing (from left) the graduate’s name and hometown. This list does not include students that have graduated, but did not participate in the ceremony, or students that registered for the ceremony after the commencement program was printed: Donnie Adkins, Chatsworth; Trace Agan, Rockmart; Alana Allen, Calhoun; Landon Allen, Cedartown; Joshua Shane Baird, Fort Oglethorpe; Kendra Beal, Chatsworth; Christian Bearden, Taylorsville; Alan Ramesses Blancas Garcia, Dalton; Baylor Brown, Chattanooga; Carlie Burrell, Trenton; Rossy Campos, Dalton; Darianna Lashay Cochran, Rome; Madalyn Coffin, Chatsworth; Chaz Davis, Chatsworth; Madeline Grace Dempsey, Rome; Marvina Gayle Ellenburg, Rossville; Madison Frazier, Trenton; Zailee Fulmer, Gaylesville; Elaina Isabel Galvan, Chatsworth; Aaron Garland, Ranger; Waymond Gibson, Cohutta; Tawanna Gilstrap, Chatsworth; Adam Goldsmith, Chatsworth; Xotchil M. Guerra Campos, Dalton; Jacob Hall, Rome; Ashley Hanson, Dallas; Felicia Holloway, Rome; Angelo Jimenez, Chatsworth; Kathryn Journey Kalb, Dallas; Linda Leonard, Rockmart; Maria Claudia Lopez, Dalton; Beth Alise Lucero, Silver Creek; Sha’asia Maldonado, Dalton; Crandall Rayshun McCowan Jr., Rome; Luis Montolla, Dalton; Chalmas Eligh Morgan, Ringgold; Naomi LeAnn Nolan, Rome; Arlene Latrice Peek, Rome; Cloe Phillips, Rome; Kathleen Pichardo, Dalton; James Ramirez, Rome; Sara Raelyn Riding, Rockmart; Naomi Ruiz Salas, Dalton; Krupa Sadhu, Rossville; Tykeria Rebecca Sams, Rome; Erica Lynn Skipper, Calhoun; Jarea Smith, Rome; Grace Steele, Resaca; Amberly Analeice Strobel, Taylorsville; Mylee Kearstin Tims, Silver Creek; and Kristen Worley, Trenton.
Dr. McDaniel recognized Honor graduates and presented scholarships.
Shirley Smith, executive director of Catoosa Citizens for Literacy, presented the Deborah Hester Scholarship with family representatives Kermit Hester and Gregory Hester.
Shaw led the turning of the tassels and delivered the closing remarks.
The Adult Education program acknowledged the following organizations who provided scholarships: Atlanta Gas Light Foundation, Calhoun-Gordon Council for a Literate Society, Catoosa Citizens for Literacy, Chattooga County Literacy Council, Conasauga Drug Court Program, Dalton-Whitfield Community Foundation, Dalton Rotary Club, Dollar General Literacy Foundation, GNTC Foundation, LaFayette Presbyterian Church, North Georgia Electric Membership Corp., Polk County Council, Polk County Rotary Club, Rome-Floyd County Commission on Children and Youth, Rome Rotary Club, Shaw Industries, Tallatoona Community Action Partnership Inc. and Truist Bank.
The mission of GNTC’s Adult Education program is to enable every adult learner in the service delivery area to acquire the necessary basic skills to be able to compete successfully in today’s workplace, strengthen family foundations and exercise full citizenship. The program provides preparation for the Georgia HSE tests, Adult Secondary Education, Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language (ESL). Georgia Northwestern Technical College delivers high-quality workforce education to the citizens of northwest Georgia. Students can pursue associate degrees, diplomas and certificates in a wide range of career pathways, including aviation, business, health, industrial and public service. Over the past year, 14,082 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs. The college has an annual credit enrollment of 9,342 students and achieved a 100 percent placement rate. An additional 4,740 individuals are served through adult education, continuing education, business and industry training and Georgia Quick Start® programs.
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