ÐÔÊӽ紫ý

Georgia Northwestern Technical CollegeÐÔÊӽ紫ý Office of Adult Education celebrated the High School Equivalency program class of 2025 with a commencement ceremony June 26 for students.

The June celebration recognized students who completed the High School Equivalency, a part of GNTCÐÔÊӽ紫ý Adult Education Program. The program gives an alternative degree for students who didn’t receive their high school diploma.

The GNTC Adult Education program provides preparation for the Georgia High School Equivalency tests, Adult Secondary Education, Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language.

The mission of GNTCÐÔÊӽ紫ý 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 todayÐÔÊӽ紫ý workplace, strengthen family foundations and exercise full citizenship.

The June 26 ceremony was held at the Conference Center on GNTCÐÔÊӽ紫ý Gordon County Campus in Calhoun to accommodate students and families from all nine counties of GNTCÐÔÊӽ紫ý service area.

Lisa Shaw, vice president of Adult Education at GNTC, began the ceremony by praising the graduates for their resilience, continuing to show up despite setbacks and challenges.

“You have proven something powerful to yourself,� Shaw said. “You are capable. You are resilient, and you are capable of hard work.�

“I know something important about every single one of you,� she said. “You’ve faced obstacles — some that might have made you question whether finishing was worth it.�

The ceremonyÐÔÊӽ紫ý guest speaker was Noelia Sargento. She was the GNTCÐÔÊӽ紫ý 2025 EAGLE delegate, the Technical College System of GeorgiaÐÔÊӽ紫ý 2025 Adult Education Student of the Year and recipient of the Dinah Culbreath Wayne Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education Award.

In June 2024, Sargento earned her High School Equivalency diploma through GNTCÐÔÊӽ紫ý Adult Education program.

“I remember what it was like to finally hold that diploma,� Sargento said. “It wasn’t just a piece of paper. It was proof that I could finish something, proof of what I was capable of and proof that I was not done yet.�

Sargento encouraged the graduates that anything is possible. She said she had dropped out of HSE classes twice before she realized it was time to believe in herself, just as she believed in others.

Since earning her diploma on her third attempt, she has enrolled in GNTCÐÔÊӽ紫ý Business Management associate degree program and opened her own business.

“Let this be your beginning and not your end because what you have started is powerful,� she said. “Congratulations, Class of 2025. You’ve already changed your life. Now go out and change the world.�

GNTC President Heidi Popham 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 realization of your future goals,� Popham said.

The graduates were given their diplomas by Laurie Brooks, Adult Education Career Services specialist, and Derrick McDaniel, Adult Education Instruction director, recognized the Honor graduates.

At the end of the ceremony, Shaw delivered closing remarks and led the turning of the tassels.

A list of the graduates who participated in the June ceremony can be found at .