February 16, 2009 (Atlanta) – The Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) Office of Adult Education recognized 37 of Georgia’s adult learners during the annual Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) award luncheon held Friday, February 13, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Atlanta.
Now in its 16th year, the EAGLE award honors adult learners for their outstanding participation and exceptional achievement in their local adult education programs.
Nineteen-year-old Rachel Terhune represented Albany Technical College. Terhune, originally from Vermont, now lives in Dawson. She received her GED, along with her brother and sister. She also has another brother who is enrolled in adult education classes. All four were homeschooled. Terhune plans to attend college and become a Spanish interpreter. She hopes to work for an orphanage in Honduras. Albany Tech Adult Education Instructor Dianne Wimes nominated Terhune. Wimes says despite Terhune’s visual impairment, she works diligently to accomplishment her educational goals and is an inspirational leader to her classmates and teachers.
“Rachel is very smart, and I want people to see her potential. She’s a leader in our classroom and once others give her a chance, they are impressed with her strengths and abilities,” said Wimes.
The 37 EAGLE winners were nominated by their adult education instructors from among the more than 90,000 adult learners in Georgia. Each student demonstrated exceptional perseverance and hard work to obtain a GED as well as a positive attitude, superb classroom attendance and excellent leadership skills.
This year’s winners were presented their EAGLE award by Ron Jackson, the commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia. Jackson reminded the winners that their recognition comes with the important responsibility of being an ambassador for Georgia’s adult education and GED programs.
“Georgia’s EAGLE winners are real-life success stories of how adult learning can transform lives, improve job prospects and create brighter futures for them and their families,” said Jackson. “We congratulate our EAGLE winners on their achievement and ask for their help as influential role models for the 1.3 million adult Georgians who still do not possess a high school diploma.”
90,567 men and women enrolled in Georgia’s adult education programs during 2008. There were 19,696 GED diplomas awarded last year.
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