Eight immediate and extended members of a northwest Georgia family are Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) students; a ninth expects to begin classes in 2027.
Ashley Weaver began her journey with GNTC as a student in Adult Education, continued on to earn her associate degree in Accounting at GNTC in May 2026 and expects to complete her degree in Marketing as early as spring 2027. Her husband, Jared Weaver, expects to earn his degree in Architectural and Engineering Drawing Technology in fall 2027. The couple lives in Chatsworth, and their four daughters are also GNTC students. She encouraged them and three additional family members to attend GNTC.
“I’m proud that I could be a role model to help my family better their lives through education,” Ashley Weaver said.
“I chose GNTC because it is where I earned my High School Equivalency (HSE),” Ashley Weaver said. “The Adult Education program is amazing. I wanted to attend the college that helped me reach one of my highest goals.”
Ashley Weaver said she grew up in Brook, Indiana, but has lived in Chatsworth for more than 20 years. She was the first in her family to attend GNTC and was so impressed that she encouraged other family members to explore educational opportunities there.
Ashley Weaver said she is grateful GNTC offers everything from Adult Education up to an associate degree, enabling her to continue her education at GNTC.
In March, Ashley Weaver was hired as an accounting technician/cashier at GNTC’s Floyd County Campus in Rome, she said. She states that she loves that the position allows her to interact with students as well as work with tracking finances.
“I became interested in Accounting because I have always been a numbers person,” Ashley Weaver said. “I became interested in Marketing because I wanted to know more about the consumer side of business.”
Leyner Argueta, program director and instructor of Business Management at GNTC, has inspired her. “The way he speaks about overcoming adversity made me realize that nothing is impossible,” Ashley Weaver said.
Her career goal is to learn more and grow within GNTC’s Office of Administrative Services.
Ashley’s husband, Jared Weaver, a Dalton native, is a laser operator at Gowin Mechanical in Dalton, where he operates a laser, press brake and waterjet. When his wife completed her HSE and began college, she encouraged him to further his own education.
Jared Weaver enrolled in GNTC’s Architectural and Engineering Drawing Technology program “to learn the office side of programing,” he said. His future plans are to pursue a career in drafting.
Daughter Emily Standridge completed the requirements for a certificate in Healthcare Office Assistant at GNTC; she will receive the certificate in December 2026. She is now pursing her diploma in Business Healthcare Technology and is working towards an associate degree.
“I have always been interested in healthcare, so when my mom had asked me if I wanted to go back to school, I took that opportunity,” Emily Standridge said.
Emily Standridge, also a Chatsworth resident, said she finds her job at a daycare rewarding.
“I love that I get to give children someone who they can look up to because you never know what their home situation is,” Emily Standridge said.
She said her coursework at GNTC has prepared her with real-life simulations of what she will be doing when she enters the healthcare field.
“I had been planning on returning to college but never had any motivation,” Emily Standridge said. “When I saw my mom work towards her dreams, I thought maybe I just need to follow in her footsteps.”
Daughter Destiny Standridge is studying for her associate degree in Business Management and lives in Chatsworth. Currently a manager with Subway, she said she plans to open her own business someday and to hire her mother as her accountant.
Destiny Standridge said she enjoyed taking Dual Enrollment classes through GNTC as a high school student.
“I believe that following my family and hearing about their experiences at GNTC has prepared me to succeed,” Destiny Standridge said.
Ashley Weaver said her daughter Haley Standridge expects to begin classes for an associate degree in Early Childhood Care and Education in spring 2027.
Daughter Jacqueline Rhodes lives in LaFayette and is also a student at the Whitfield Murray Campus. Rhodes is pursuing a certificate in Medical Coding.
“I chose GNTC because my family members spoke very highly of the college and have had positive experiences,” Rhodes said. She feels her family’s experiences, especially those of her younger sister, Emily, have prepared her for college.
Rhodes said the Medical Coding field appeals to her because she can build a career that allows her to work from home while focusing on improving herself “in every way possible.”
Jared Weaver said two nieces also attend GNTC. Kaylee Weaver is in the Business Healthcare Technology diploma program at the Whitfield Murray Campus, and Amber Hightower is pursuing her associate degree in Early Childhood Care and Education at the Floyd County Campus.
Kaylee Weaver’s boyfriend, Donnie Adkins, is studying for a diploma in Diesel Equipment Technology at GNTC’s Whitfield Murray Campus. The couple lives with Ashley and Jared Weaver.
Ashley and Jared Weaver, along with Emily Standridge, represented GNTC’s chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Collegiate at the Georgia State Leadership Conference in March. Ashley Weaver placed first in Foundations of Entrepreneurship, second in Foundations of Hospitality Management and second in Community Service Project; Jared Weaver placed first in Retail Management; and Emily Standridge placed third in Foundations of Management.
All three competed at the 2026 FBLA Collegiate National Leadership Conference in June in Las Vegas where Ashley Weaver placed ninth in Foundations of Entrepreneurship and Jared Weaver placed third in Customer Service.
Jared Weaver enjoyed the opportunity to compete in Las Vegas, networking and meeting new people at the FBLA events. He said he was proud to represent GNTC and to win an award.
“My mother wanted me to try FBLA because I am shy and quiet,” Emily Standridge said. “I have enjoyed meeting new people and learning new things at the workshops. I have come out of my shell a little bit more after becoming an FBLA member.”
Emily Standridge said she enjoys the competition challenges but also appreciates FBLA’s supportive structure, adding that “it’s a great feeling to know you have people in your corner.”
Ashley Weaver said she also credits membership in the organization with networking opportunities, teaching her a multitude of new things, building her confidence and helping her overcome her shyness.
Competing in the competitions was nerve racking, Ashley Weaver said. She was energized by the excitement of the other competitors at the awards banquet.
“Hearing my name called and going on the stage to accept my award was one of the highlights of my life,” Ashley Weaver said. “I accomplished that with hard work and dedication.”
She said she joined FBLA Collegiate in spring 2025 to experience the “college life.” As she learned more about it, she became more actively involved. She served as vice president of GNTC’s chapter last year and is president for the 2026-27 Academic Year.
In 2025, Ashley Weaver finished third in FBLA’s Retail Management and fourth in the Foundations of Accounting competitions at the Georgia State Leadership Conference. She went on to represent GNTC at the national competition in Dallas, Texas.
Destiny Standridge said she has recently joined FBLA Collegiate because it “opens many doors for my future endeavors and allows me to also spend more time with my family while learning new things.”
“Ashley has convinced many of her family members, friends and classmates to join our FBLA Collegiate chapter, and now we have the most active members that we have had in many years,” said Upton, who also serves as the organization’s chapter advisor at GNTC.
“Ashley is leading by example by consistently communicating with me and the other members about what we are doing and what needs to be completed,” Upton said. “She has grown a great deal through leadership and competition. She now seems more confident and ready for whatever comes her way.”
Trish Wiggins, director of Student Engagement at GNTC, said during her time at GNTC, some siblings have participated together in a student organization, but the Weaver/Standridge family is the first family to do so. She is encouraged that more family members joining FBLA Collegiate and the opportunities those students will have.
“Participation in student organizations gives our students so many opportunities they may not have otherwise,” Wiggins said. “They have the opportunity to travel, network and meet other students from around the state and country. It gives them the chance to experience leadership opportunities and professional development, and it looks good on a resume, too.”
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.
