“Getting your GED is just a start,” said Gavin Wright, South Georgia Technical College 2026 GED Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) representative and speaker at the South Georgia Technical College 2026 Summer High School Equivalency graduation ceremony held in the John M. Pope Industrial Technology Center on the SGTC Americus campus. Thirty students earned their General Educational Development (GED) Diploma and were recognized for that accomplishment.
“Continue to build on this foundation and follow your dreams. It will be worth it,” continued Wright. “Each of you are winners. You did not give up when things didn’t go well. You continued to persevere. Now, show the world what you are capable of. Keep moving forward.”
Wright of Leslie is a 2025 GED graduate and he spoke to a large crowd which featured graduates from Sumter, Crisp, Schley, Macon, Marion, Taylor, Lee, Telfair, and Tift counties. Wright is currently enrolled in the Criminal Justice program at SGTC. Tonya Visage, Adult Education Instructor, introduced Wright as the guest speaker.
“This program changed my life. It helped me overcome academic challenges and build a foundation for a bright future. My instructors didn’t just teach me,” said Wright. “They encouraged, guided, and believed in me even when I doubted myself. Their support helped me realize I could succeed.” Wright was selected as one of the top eight state finalists for the statewide EAGLE award.
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford thanked the graduates and their families and friends for supporting each other during this journey. “I want to express my sincere appreciation and excitement and my personal congratulations to each one of these graduates here tonight,” said President Watford. “We are all here for one common purpose and that is to celebrate the success of these graduates.
“They have accomplished a very great goal. And they have come too far to stop now. You have reached a goal that you may have thought was impossible but you achieved that dream. Never stop learning and never undervalue yourself. Do what it takes to continue to get the job done. Congratulations on this accomplishment,” said Dr. Watford.
Then he challenged the graduates to always continue learning and encouraged them to continue their education with South Georgia Technical College.
After Wright’s talk, President Watford, Dean of Adult Education Tracy Israel and Adult Education Instructor Tonya Visage recognized the graduates and presented them with their diplomas and a token of appreciation.
SGTC Adult Education Instructor Danny Payne delivered the invocation at the ceremony. Lisa Truitt, Adult Education Career Services Specialist, 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
Zach Almedia, Bryce Cooper, Hunter Elliott, Marqueta English, Fabian Escobar, Lydia Harvey, Roy Hernandez, Jazmin Lopez, Akevia Roberts, Samantha Wright, and Teona Waters;
Crisp County
Jamiyah Jenkins, Sadie McGinnis, Keith Pate, Jacory White, and Aja Wilson;
Schley County
LaRosa Brown, Sierra Harris, Braydon Huff, Caitlin James, and Ella Woolsey;
Macon County
Georgia Gilbert and Phillip Harmon;
Marion County
Hailee Bullard;
Taylor County
Amie Currier and Taylor Hale;
Lee County
Leah Murphy;
Telfair County
Justin Trawick;
Tift County
Nellie Garcia and Hiram Perez.
Tracy Israel 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 Career Services Specialist and Lisa Holloway is the Instructional Lead Instructor. Shuri Rand is the GED Chief Examiner and Takesha Walker and Ruby Kleckley are GED Examiners. The South Georgia Tech Adult Education instructors include: Demetria Clark, Sandra Dantes, Margie Everett, Lissa Faircloth, James Ingram, Mary King, Margie Martin, Danny Payne, LaDaisha Rumph, Tonya Visage, and Destiny Walker.
For more information about the Adult Education High School Equivalency classes, contact South Georgia Tech at 229.931.2565.
Gavin Wright (second from left), a 2025 SGTC Adult Education graduate, was the guest speaker at the graduation ceremony and he is shown with Dean of Adult Education Tracy Israel (l),
SGTC President Dr. John Watford (center right) and Vice President of Operations and Adult Education Karen Werling (r).
Shown above are the SGTC Adult Education faculty and staff.