Rock Spring, GA — Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s (GNTC) Youth Success Academy (YSA) honored 23 students who earned their High School Equivalency (HSE) diplomas during a graduation ceremony held Tuesday, May 13, at Peavine Baptist Church in Rock Spring.
The event celebrated the achievements of young adults who overcame significant challenges to reach this milestone. Tammy Pence, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) youth specialist at GNTC, opened the ceremony with a welcome address, followed by LaRae Eveans, WIOA Youth Services instructional aide, who issued the Charge to Graduates and introduced the class.
Graduate and Commencement Speaker Kaydence Parson delivered a powerful and personal speech, sharing how her disability and lack of accommodations led her to leave high school during her freshman year.
“I dropped out due to multiple reasons, including the fact that I am disabled, and most people simply would not provide accommodations,” she said. After waiting several years, Parson joined the YSA when she felt better prepared—though she still feared she would not succeed.
“This program genuinely ignited my love for not just learning, but also my art,” she said. “The instructors engaged with my passions in every aspect.” Parson is now thriving as a student in GNTC’s Computer Support Specialist associate degree program, having just completed her first semester.
WIOA Youth Services Coordinator Vince Stalling applauded the graduates’ perseverance. He and WIOA instructor Kimberly Arrowood presented the diplomas. Arrowood also gave the closing remarks.
Graduates from the Walker County Campus YSA program include:
Courtney Asher, Tabitha Asher, Aiden Bennett, Gage Bowen, Nadine Bowen, Zachary Daniel, Jessika Davis, Sara Rose DeBord, Nicholas Gravitt, Lydia Haggard, Riley Hale, Logan Heath, Emily Housely, Shane Johnson, Kaydence Parson, Montana Pendergrass, Jaxon Pritchett, Hunter Proctor, Chloe Roberts, Kayden Rogers, Braden Tilley, Virginia Wells, and Alex Wimbley.
(Not all graduates were present at the ceremony.)
The Youth Success Academy is a collaborative initiative between GNTC and the Northwest Georgia Regional Development Center. It supports out-of-school youth ages 16 to 24 in earning their HSE diplomas and gaining job readiness skills. The program also offers leadership training, workshops, and assistance with college enrollment and career exploration.
The Floyd County Campus YSA graduation ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, June 3, at 6:30 p.m. in Building A Auditorium.
For more information on YSA, contact:
Walker County Campus: 706-764-3783
Floyd County Campus: 706-295-6940
To learn more about Georgia Northwestern Technical College, visit www.GNTC.edu.
(From left, front row) Emily Housely, Courtney Asher, Tabitha Asher, Kaydence Parson, Nadine Bowen, GNTC WIOA Youth Services instructional aide LaRae Eveans; (second row) Chloe Roberts, Gage Bowen, GNTC WIOA Youth program assistant Carrie Allmon, Alex Wimbley, GNTC WIOA Youth Services instructor Kimberly Arrowood, Riley Hale; (back row) Braden Tilley, GNTC Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) youth specialist Tammy Pence, GNTC WIOA Youth Services coordinator Vince Stalling and Nicholas Gravitt pose for a picture before GNTC’s Walker County Campus Youth Success Academy graduation on May 13 at Peavine Baptist Church.
(From left) Tabitha Asher, Courtney Asher, Gage Bowen and Nadine Bowen prepare for the Walker County Campus Youth Success Academy graduation on May 13 at Peavine Baptist Church. Walker County Campus YSA staff said this ceremony was the first time they could recall two pairs of siblings graduating in the same class.
Alex Wimbley tosses his cap at GNTC’s Walker County Campus Youth Success Academy graduation on May 13.
