The ceremony saw the distribution of diplomas to 94 adults who had successfully completed their high school education by earning a General Education Development (GED) diploma through Georgia Northwestern Technical College in Gordon County.
Coleen Brooks, director of the Adult Learning Center, told the crowd that the students were all great and that they made it tough on the teachers when it came down to awarding scholarships and achievement certificates.
“This was one of the most fun classes we had. Our theme this year is what happens in ‘adult ed’ (education) stays in adult ed.,” Brooks said.
Brooks relayed the stats about the group of graduates, stating that 10 were recognized as honor graduates, mean-ing that that they scored a 3,000 or above on their GED exams.
During the commencement address, Georgia National Guard Sgt. Justin Baumgardner seemed to surprise some of the students in attendance off guard when he opened by saying that Coleen Brooks — who has worked with all the grads — helped him get on the right track when he dropped out of high school years ago.
“Coleen Brooks told me, ‘there’s other things you can do with your life. I challenge you to keep going,” he said.
Baumgarnder earned his GED in 1992, and a few months later became a member of the 108th Cavalry unit of the Georgia National Guard and was awarded a Bronze Star.
He also spoke about motivation and urged grads “keep the drive alive.”
“I was a very smart person, but I didn’t have the drive,” he explained. “Never give up on what you are doing. When I was in Iraq the days were long and hard and you had to push through it. Everything is possible if you want it. Keep the drive alive.”
For more on Thursday night’s ceremony, see the Aug. 11 edition of the Calhoun Times on newsstands Wednesday.
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