Kenric Woods
The Youth Success Academy (YSA) on the Floyd County Campus of Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) held its annual graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 8. This year, 27 students graduated with their General Education Development® diplomas on the Floyd County Campus.
The evening began with a welcome and introductions by Paul Carter, associate vice president of Academic Affairs at GNTC. Mr. Carter encouraged graduates to continue with their education and to not look at this ceremony as the end of their studies.
“These days we’ve all come to recognize that learning is a lifelong pursuit and we would be honored if you would chose to continue your education with us,” said Mr. Carter.
Kenric Woods, student speaker for the event, said that Youth Success Academy did more than just help him obtain his GED®.
“The Youth Success Academy taught me the value of self-worth,” said Mr. Woods. “They showed me that failure was only an opportunity to learn and starting over is not bad after all.”
The graduation speaker for the ceremony was Janice Shea, lead teacher and site manager for GNTC’s Floyd County Adult Education program.
“I am so proud that you have taken a huge step to succeed in this world,” said Ms. Shea. “We are here, together, to claim a victory. This moment is why I come to work every day.”
Graduates of GNTC’s Youth Success Academy on the Floyd County Campus are:
Micah Allen, Kristin Ballard, Sedrika Barrett, Jannieshia Chatman, Octavia Clark, Destinee Crocker, Jessica Cromer, Autumn Earwood, Ja’vonte Garrett, Tatiana Gleaves, Dakota Godfrey, Shelby Helton, Bobby Hubbard, Shania Jeanty, Christina McFadden, Alexus Mills, John Overby, Lakevious Pace, Olivia Pilgrim, Anthony Pomarico, Takia Price, Kenya Royster, Dreeanna Springer, Chris Stroud, Terrishia Turner, Wendy Williams, and Kenric Woods.
The Youth Success Academy at GNTC helps out-of-school youth get their GED, start college with many expenses covered, and begin their path to a successful career.
The program is open to 16 to 21-year-old individuals that wish to attain a GED and a technical education degree. It also offers many specialized services that will help students advance to further career training and find employment.
For more information about the Floyd County Campus YSA, contact Lindsay Hardin, youth services assistant, at 706/295-6940.