GNTC’s Youth Success Academy Holds Graduation Ceremony

  • Wednesday, December 8, 2021
YSA graduate Caite Castillo, of Rome, moments after receiving her GED diploma on Tuesday, Dec. 7, at GNTC’s Floyd County Campus
YSA graduate Caite Castillo, of Rome, moments after receiving her GED diploma on Tuesday, Dec. 7, at GNTC’s Floyd County Campus
Close to 20 young adults walked across the stage Tuesday to receive their GED diploma during the Youth Success Academy (YSA) graduation held at Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s Floyd County Campus.
 
The Youth Success Academy is specifically designed for out-of-school youth that wish to attain a GED diploma and a technical education. The participants in the program are involved in GED preparation, job readiness, workshops and leadership activities.
 
“We are trying to build our youth ages 16-24 to become independent and contributing citizens of our community,” said Erick Hopper, Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act Youth lead instructor. 
 
During the ceremony, Mr.
Hopper encouraged graduates to continue with their education. 
 
“The diploma is only the first step of the program; our goal is for our students to be able to go beyond the diploma and be successful in all facets of life. To be able to create a life they are proud of, to not only find a job but to find a career they will love,” said Mr. Hopper during his motivational speech to the graduates and guests. 
 
Listed are the graduates of GNTC’s Youth Success Academy (not all graduates participated in the YSA Graduation Ceremony:
 
Dylan Adams
Kelsey Akins
Chris Arrington
Christian Astin 
Jesse Barton
Aiden Beard
Bradee Bentley 
Caden Bickers
Nolan Blackstock
Anthony Blalock
Samantha Britt
Caite Castillo
Matthew Church 
Hunter Dotson 
Anthony Duvall 
Stevie Flachbart 
Owen Fricks 
Tiffany Herod 
Hope Habich 
Elijah Lee 
Anthony Lombino 
Virginia Mangrum
Crystalynn Newton
Madison Otting 
Morgan Otting 
Chyanna Pope 
Allyson Potts 
Bryson Roark 
Ja’Codie Roberson 
Oasis Shelton 
Chelsey Thompson 
Peyton Vines 
Charles Williams 
Zachary Yates 
 
The Youth Success Academy is sponsored through a partnership with GNTC and Northwest Georgia Regional Commission. For more information, contact the Floyd County Campus YSA at 706-295-6940 and the Walker County Campus YSA at 706-764-3783.
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