Sixteen men and women were given GED certificates at a graduation ceremony held at North Georgia Techical College in Blairsville November 4.
The ceremony celebrated the achievement of 15 students from Fannin County and one from East Polk County Tennessee.
Kevin Tyler Collis, Landon Cook, Skylar Rain Franklin, Zoe Geraty, Addison Star Houghlin, Lucas Jarrett, Tyler Zachary William Johnson, Andrew S. Martin, Kailee Michelle McCue, Brady Weston Payne, Colten Robert Reed, Madison Cheyanne Roach, Moose Roberson, Joshua Walter Reece Runions, Anthony James Taranto and Joan Ilene Mulcare each recieved certificates.
NGTC President John Wilkinson remarked that each graduate received support along the way from friends, family, spouses,and teacher. They took the leap, challenged themselves, worked hard, overcome challenges and persevered. “This moment is a milestone in a lifetime of possibilities.” Wilkinson said. “Don’t be afraid to dream bigger.”
Mulcare was the student speaker. Fannin Literacy Action Group Director Teresa Ross said she is a 25-year-old single mother of two young daughters. She is also employed at an assisted living facility. She is currently enrolled in NGTC in Blairsville in the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program. She will graduate next fall. She is the recipient of the 2025 Lake Blue Ridge Association Fannin Literacy Action Group Scholarship. This scholarship assists GED graduates who continue their education at NGTC.
Mulcare said she had given up on education due to life situations, but what inspired her to go back to get her GED is when she lost her Nana who was her biggest inspiration and supporter.
“I wanted to make her proud and show my two beautiful daughters that it’s never too late to start over,” Mulcare said. “Because of North Georgia Technical College and FLAG, I’ve been able to regain my confidence and believe in myself. This program gave me a second chance and I can achieve my dreams and I am forever grateful.”
Fannin Literacy Action Group was founded in 1989 by Jill Key, amd became a Certified Literacy Community Partner in 1993 to work with low level adult literacy students in Fannin County. Over the years, over 1,000 individuals in our program have received their GED certificates.
With NGTC, FLAG offers free GED and Hi-Set Prep, College Prep, ESL, and Basic Computer Literacy classes. They serve Fannin Co, GA and East Polk Co, TN students.
If anyone is interested in obtaining their GED or college preparation classes, please contact FLAG at 706-946-3524 or go to flagadulteducation.org.