Georgia Northwestern Technical College announced the 2010-2011 county representatives for the Exceptional Adult Georgians in Literacy Education (EAGLE) awards. The honorees include Melisha Porter, Chattooga County; Shavanti Hiles, Floyd County; Martin Palmerin, Gordon County; William Westbrook, Polk County; and Christian Dye, Walker County. Each EAGLE representative was nominated by an instructor from the Adult Education program.

The EAGLE Awards program was the first Adult Education statewide effort in the U.S. to turn the spotlight on successful adults using the local adult education programs to improve their lives through learning.

The representatives were honored at a luncheon held on Dec. 2 at the Gordon County Chamber of Commerce. The luncheon was sponsored by GNTC and attended by all nominating instructors, Adult Education Advisory Board members, and Adult Education staff. Mike Johns, a former Gordon County EAGLE and current GNTC student, spoke to the group about his experiences. Mr. Johns encouraged the students to pursue their dreams and continue to further their education.

Melisha Porter currently resides in Trion and attended the Chattooga County Adult Learning Center in Summerville. She earned a GED Diploma and is now working on a degree in Management and Supervisory Development at GNTC. Her nominating instructor was Pat Money.

“The first step is the hardest,” said Ms. Porter. “I earned my GED, and I am now enrolled in college. Two years ago, I would never have thought I would be where I am today. I am very proud of what I have accomplished.”

County representatives will serve for a year as ambassadors for their adult learning centers in an effort to encourage other adults to follow in their footsteps. One GNTC EAGLE representative will be selected, by a screening committee of lead instructors, to represent the college at the annual EAGLE Leadership Institute in Atlanta.