Twenty-eight students earned their High School Equivalency (HSE) through Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s (GNTC) Accelerated Academy on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

The graduation ceremony was held in the Conference Center on GNTC’s Gordon County Campus in Calhoun. The free Accelerated Academy classes, held Oct. 15-17, provided meals and snacks, HSE instruction, practice tests and testing.

“Completing your education is more than reaching an educational goal or milestone; it represents a promise that you made to yourself and a commitment to build a better future,” said Lisa Shaw, vice president of Adult Education at GNTC. Shaw delivered the ceremony’s welcome and introductions following the processional led by Dr. Derrick McDaniel, director of Instruction for Adult Education at GNTC.

“We are here to celebrate your journey, your growth and the courage that it took to get here,” Shaw said.

“One of the things I love most about technical education and Adult Education is the opportunity we have to change lives,” said Dr. Heidi Popham, president of GNTC, during her opening remarks.

“Graduates, you are a wonderful, perfect example of what is possible when opportunity meets determination,” Dr. Popham said.

Aaron Tyler Sprayberry, the first student to complete the Fall 2026 Accelerated Academy, encouraged and supported his classmates, Shaw said. He was selected as the ceremony’s keynote speaker.

“I’ve always focused on everybody else, but I’ve come to realize that I’ve never really done something for myself,” Sprayberry said, adding that earning his HSE is the first step towards doing more for himself and he hopes to continue his education.

Laurie Brooks, Adult Education Career Services specialist at GNTC, presented the certificates, and Dr. McDaniel recognized the honor graduates.

Listed are the Fall 2026 Accelerated Academy graduates showing (from left) the graduate’s name and hometown. This list does not include students who have graduated but did not participate in the ceremony: Maria Alvarez, Dalton; Mackenzie LaRay Coffey, Dalton; Malik Dumas, Ringgold; Mekayla Fowler, Dalton; Maria Del Rosario Garcia, Dalton; Camille Haulk, Calhoun; Evan Alexander Holt, Resaca; Connie Marie Jenkinson, Calhoun; Jazmin Luna, Dalton; Jodi Lyn Meyer, Rome; Keeley Nix, Resaca; Mauricio Olguin, Rossville; Justin Parker, Dalton; Sarah Ramey, LaFayette; Diego Rubalcaba, Dalton; Ariel Salas, Chatsworth; Frederick Scrutchins Jr., Cartersville; Logan Shelby, Chatsworth; Aaron Tyler Sprayberry, LaFayette; Alexis Valadez Espinoza, Dalton; Makenzie Watters, Adairsville; and Joseph Wheaton, Calhoun.

Shaw thanked Carla DeBose, Professional Development and Family Literacy director at the Office of Adult Education at the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) for being the “heart” behind the Accelerated Academy program at TCSG. DeBose has been so instrumental in securing funding and providing guidance for the program that “it is only with her support that we are able to continue this program,” Shaw explained.

Shaw acknowledged the Atlanta Gas Light Foundation, Calhoun-Gordon Council for a Literate Community, Catoosa Citizens for Literacy, Chattooga County Literacy Council, GNTC Foundation and Technical College System of Georgia Foundation for providing HSE scholarships and support for the Accelerated Academy program.

Shaw led the turning of the tassels and gave the closing remarks during the ceremony.

The Accelerated Academy is a three-day program that offers a pathway to completing the HSE for those who cannot commit to attending months of classes.

If a participant does not earn the full credential over the three-day period, Adult Education offers programs to provide continued support, instruction and other pathways to success.

The fast-paced classes provide instruction in Language Arts, Math, Reading, Science and Social Studies and focus on what is needed to pass the test. Participants commit to an intensive schedule, with an evening class on Thursday and full-day sessions on Friday and Saturday that include both instruction and testing.

Participants must be age 18 or older and possess a government-issued form of identification.

For more information, visit GNTC Adult Education or call 706-295-6976.

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.