Twenty-eight students have earned their High School Equivalency credentials through Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s Accelerated Academy, completing an intensive program designed to help adults achieve their educational goals in just three days.

A graduation ceremony was held Tuesday, October 27, at GNTC’s Gordon County Campus in Calhoun, recognizing students who successfully completed the Fall 2026 program.

The Accelerated Academy, held October 15–17, provided free instruction, practice testing, official testing, meals and snacks. The program is designed for adults who cannot commit to months of traditional classroom instruction.

Among those recognized during the ceremony were students from throughout Northwest Georgia, including Jodi Lyn Meyer of Rome, Mauricio Olguin of Rossville, Sarah Ramey and Aaron Tyler Sprayberry of LaFayette, along with graduates from Dalton, Calhoun, Ringgold, Resaca and other communities.

Sprayberry, who was the first student to complete the Fall 2026 Accelerated Academy, served as the ceremony’s keynote speaker.

“I’ve always focused on everybody else, but I’ve come to realize that I’ve never really done something for myself,” Sprayberry told fellow graduates. He said earning his High School Equivalency credential represents the first step toward continuing his education.

GNTC President Dr. Heidi Popham congratulated the graduates, describing their accomplishments as an example of what can happen when opportunity meets determination.

Lisa Shaw, GNTC’s vice president of Adult Education, told graduates that completing their education represents both a personal commitment and an investment in their future.

The college also recognized several organizations that support the program through scholarships and other assistance, including the Chattooga County Literacy Council, Atlanta Gas Light Foundation, GNTC Foundation and Technical College System of Georgia Foundation.

The Accelerated Academy offers instruction in language arts, mathematics, reading, science and social studies. Participants attend an evening session Thursday, followed by full-day instruction and testing Friday and Saturday.

Students who do not complete all requirements during the three-day program can receive additional instruction and assistance through GNTC’s Adult Education Department.

Participants must be at least 18 years old and have a government-issued form of identification.

For more information about the Accelerated Academy or other adult education opportunities, visit www.gntc.edu/adult-education or call 706-295-6976.