Several dozen students were honored at Columbus Technical College recently by either successfully completing their GED testing and/or earning their certification in ESL (English as a Second Language). The students hail from all over the Columbus Tech six-county service area, including a group of Army officers from Fort Benning’s Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC). The June 2nd ceremony was held in the 200+ seat McCaulley auditorium at the College on Manchester Expressway as family, friends and loved ones looked on.
The difference of earning a high school diploma or equivalency versus not completing high school is staggering. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average income difference is more than $10,000 per year for high school grads or GED earners as compared to drop-outs. If you your a loved one was unable to complete high school – for any reason- please have them contact our division of Adult Education at 706-641-5620. Let us help them get on the road for a successful, rewarding future.
The latest class of GED students from Columbus Technical College. Pictured are (front row, L to R): Kevin Caldwell (instructor), Ronald Anderson – Harris County, Kiara James – Muscogee County, Desera Davis- Muscogee County, Jocelyn Davis- Russell County, Yasmin Khan- Muscogee County, Djamilatou Diallo- Muscogee County, Angelica Flores- Muscogee County, Brittany McCart- Lee County, April Hopson (Dir. of Adult Ed.) Middle Row: Michael Foster- Muscogee County, Amber Bedgood – Muscogee County, Titana Hall – Muscogee County, Yazmine Kakar – Muscogee County, Justin Harrison – Muscogee County, William Lockhart – Talbot County, Blythe Kline- Muscogee County, Rita Wells- Muscogee County. Back Row: Haley Little- Muscogee County, Natasha Martin- Muscogee County, Sharae Threadgill- Muscogee County, Michelle Tyson- Muscogee County, Landon Terry- Muscogee County, Clifton Mitchell- Talbot County
ESL students pose with their certificates. Front Row (L to R): Ruth Marroquin, Adys Barahona, Andrea Nettle, Varshaben Patel, Carolina Marques, Hinaben Mistry, Eunje Kim, Fernando Manjarrez, German Lainez, Harsh Patel, Vasilka Ivanova. Middle Row: Mamatben Patel, Maria Manjarrez, Paula Williams, Nelson Cabezas, Henry Rojas, Sarahann Arcila/instructor. Back Row: Maria Carrizosa/instructor, Jean Nieves, Luis Viera, Arunkumar Patel, Mukeshkumar Mistry, Mario Ruiz, Richard Reyes, Norella Pineda, Oswaldo Mendez.
Adult Ed instructors Maria Carrizosa (left) and Sarahann Arcila (right) flank officers from Fort Benning’s WHINSEC division at their ESL (English as a Second Language) pinning ceremony. They are (left to right) SGT Ruth Marroquin/Colombia, 2LT Jean Nieves/Pueto Rico, COL Luis Viera/El Salvador, LTC Nelson Cabezas/Chile, and MAJ Oswaldo Mendez/Colombia.
Husband and wife Mukeshkumar and HInaben Mistry earned their ESL certificates together.