The Technical College System of Georgia recognized the most outstanding GED graduates of the year at its annual Fall Adult Education Conference awards luncheon. Numerous educators, volunteers, and academic institutions were also honored during the conference.

“Adult Education is an important pillar to building a skilled workforce,” said Commissioner Matt Arthur. “These students, administrators, and teachers represent the exemplary work being done across our state to help ensure all adult Georgians can realize their potential through education.”

The GED® Graduate Outstanding Achievement Award honors a GED graduate who has made outstanding contributions within their community. This year, the state recognized Linda Blechinger of Lanier Technical College who received her GED diploma in 1976 and earned a bachelor degree in Theology. Blechinger serves as the Mayor of Auburn Georgia where she has been instrumental in hosting and promoting GED and ELL classes.

The Golden GED Graduate of the Year Award recognizes the senior GED graduate from the adult education program during the fiscal year. Award winners Ms. Myrian Velez, who attended class at Gwinnett Technical College, and Mr. Thomas Shepler, who attended class at Central Georgia Technical College, were both 68 years young when they received their GED diplomas.

The GED Adult Education Valedictorian was awarded to Ms. Kathryn Rose Thompson, who attended class at Savannah Technical College and is currently attending the University of South Carolina Beaufort.

April Hennecke from Coastal Pines Technical College received the Georgia GED Testing Trailblazer Award for being the first testing center from any of the TCSG campuses to receive the National College Testing Association Certification, which designates that a testing center performs under the highest level of best practices in the testing industry.

Katrina Royal from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College received the GED Test Administrator of the Year and the Trailblazer award for her outstanding efforts in serving test-takers, corrections, and college personnel.

The annual conference brings together nearly 300 adult education and GED testing professionals, practitioners, administrators, supporters, business and community leaders, volunteers and literacy ambassadors from all over Georgia. The event highlights yearly achievements for adult education and provides further scholastic opportunities for attendees with workshops, luncheons, and speakers.

TCSG provides adult education programs that enable adult learners to study for and earn a GED diploma.