Martin Palmerin’s unpleasant lay off from his job has now led to new opportunities and a bright future.


Martin Palmerin’s story continues to inspire international students.

Nine years ago Palmerin came to Calhoun with his family from Mexico.

He spoke no English and was not familiar with American culture. Upon his arrival he enrolled at Calhoun High School.

“It was hard to learn English,” Palmerin said. “So, I dropped out in 10th grade to work.”

Palmerin never graduated from high school, but instead entered into the workforce at a carpet production company in Calhoun.

Later, he worked in a manufacturing job in Cartersville and due to some unpleasant circumstances with the economy, Palmerin was laid off from his job in 2009.

He enrolled in Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s Adult Education program and began taking English as a Second Language classes.

In less than a year’s time, Palmerin earned his GED in ESOL and graduated from the program in August 2010.

“I just pushed myself,” Palmerin said. “ I’m the first one in my family to get a GED and it feels good.”

The school’s teachers and career counselors encouraged him to obtain his U.S. citizenship.

“This will give me more opportunities. It’s a good thing,” he said.

EAGLE award honoree

Lisa McKinney, one of Palmerin’s teachers who works at the Gordon county campus, said he is an inspiration to others.

“In under two years, he has begun and completed three major life goals that take most people decades to achieve: a GED, U.S. citizenship and admission to college,” McKinney said.

McKinney recently nominated Palmerin, who was selected as the recipient of the EAGLE (Exceptional Adult Georgians in Literacy Education) award.

He will serve as a county representative for a year as an ambassador of the Gordon County adult learning center in an effort to encourage other adult learners at the school.

With his GED (General Education Diploma) and citizenship now checked off his life list, Palmerin said he’s feeling good and has even made the decision to continue learning.

His next challenge is earning a degree in industrial mechanical systems at GNTC.

“My goal is to finish,” Palmerin said. In the future, he hopes to get a good job.

His parents are Jose and Demetria Palmerin. His siblings are: Mayolo, Angel, Roberto, Jose Guadalupe, Rosa Elena, Maribel, Ana Berta and Joel Palmerin of Calhoun and California.

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About the EAGLE Award

Palmerin is one of five adult learners to earn the EAGLE award for the 2010-2011 school year

Each year, Georgia Northwestern Technical College awards a local student enrolled in their Adult Education classes the EAGLE honor — the award is based on the student’s ability to use the adult education program as a means of improving their lives.

“These current and former students know what it takes to overcome the obstacles which adults face in making the decision to return to school, and then to achieve success,” commented Susan Hackney, vice president of Adult Education.

Georgia Northwestern Technical College has five locations in Gordon County, Floyd County, Polk County, Walker County, and Chattooga County.

The other EAGLE honorees include: Melisha Porter of Chattooga County, Shavanti Hiles of Floyd County, William Westbrook of Polk County and Christian Dye of Walker County.

The representatives were honored at a luncheon held on Dec. 2 at the Gordon County Chamber of Commerce.