FLAG Adult Ed students graduate

Thirteen students from Fannin County graduated from FLAG Adult Education this past school year, and four of those received their GED certificates at a graduation ceremony held at North Georgia Technical College (NGTC) in Blairsville November 3. Evan Greeson, Ashley Vann, Pepper Dearman and Anthony Venable received certificates at the ceremony. Graduates not in attendance were Pierro Battiforo, Robert Stacy, Michael Chastain, Michael Nelson, Alyssa Seamon, Ethan Netzer, Michael Smith, Sarah Bailey and Kenneth Collier. At the ceremony, NGTC Interim President Dr. Michelle Shirley remarked that each graduate received support and encouragement along the way from friends, family, spouses, and teachers. They took the leap, challenged themselves, worked hard, overcome challenges and persevered. She encouraged graduates to keep pursuing their dreams. "Let today be a beginning and not an ending. Lifelong learning," she said. Sarah "Moose" Roberson, a 2025 GED graduate of NGTC Adult Education, was the guest speaker. She is a first-generation college student at NGTC pursuing a lifelong goal and calling of a degree in funeral services. Roberson enrolled in GED classes in July 2025. She quickly achieved her high school equivalency in September of 2025 to graduate last November. She began classes at NGTC in 2026. Roberson was homeschooled until age 17. She found FLAG resources helpful. "When I walked into the center for first time, I was intimidated. I had never been in a public class before and I developed a dislike for math and a fear of failure. The only one who was able to change my thinking was my instructor, Mr. Patrick Smith. His humor and patience encouraged me and reassured me that failure wasn't the end, but an opportunity to grow," she said. "I'm incredibly grateful to have finished this class and I used the math he taught me to get ahead of my classes in college. I still have a long way to go, but the momentum I gained from these first steps has made it possible," she said. Roberson said adult education has given her self confidence and is an avid promoter of adult education because people should never feel like learning is something finished and move on. "Think about what you'd like to explore in the future, whether that be a new language, an instrument or a skill like public speaking, and just start. Every new adventure begins with a dream," she said. Teresa Ross, director of Fannin Literacy Action Group, said Roberson is the recipient of the 2026 Lake Blue Ridge Association Fannin Literacy Action Group Scholarship. This scholarship assists GED graduates who continue their education at NGTC. Ross said FLAG partners with the NGTC Adult Education Program and county to provide services and supplies, tutors and scholarships for our students. They also partner with the Lake Blue Ridge Civic association to provide scholarships for Fannin GED graduates to continue their education at NGTC. This scholarship provides funds to help with materials like books, supplies and transportation costs. She was also the 2026 Fannin Adult Center Eagle candidate. The Dinah Culbreath Wayne Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) program is a statewide initiative by the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) through its Office of Adult Education. The program honors adult learners who show superior achievement, leadership, and determination in literacy and adult education classes. The State EAGLE winner travels. Ross said. "There were many good candidates to represent NGTC this year. Unfortunately, Sarah did not advance to the state competition, but she was so enthusiastic, she was asked by the NGTC Adult Ed Dept to be a local ambassador for adult education this year. We've never had a candidate asked to do that before, so we're very proud of her." Fannin Literacy Action Group was founded in 1989 by Jill Key, and 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 have received their GED certificates at FLAG. With NGTC, FLAG offers free GED and Hi-Set Prep, College Prep, ESL, and Basic Computer Literacy classes. They serve Fannin County and East Polk County, 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.

FLAG Adult Ed students graduate

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