A community event aimed at supporting local special needs programs and Special Olympics athletes is coming to Summerville later this summer.
“Spark Day” is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Dowdy Park in Summerville. The event is being organized by the Speak Life Chattooga County Special Needs Support Group.
Organizers say the fundraiser will support adults participating in Special Olympics activities as well as children involved in summer programs. Community members, vendors, and local resource groups are invited to participate, and organizers say there are no vendor fees for the event.
The event will feature local vendors, baked goods, art, jewelry, T-shirts, coffee, and community resources. Organizers also hope the event helps families connect with programs and services available throughout Northwest Georgia.
According to the event description, organizers hope to make Spark Day an annual community tradition focused on inclusion, fun, and support for special needs families across the region.
Approximately 230 Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) students crossed the stage of the Forum River Center in Rome on Thursday, May 7, to the cheers of their families, friends and instructors.
Students representing GNTC’s nine-county service area participated in two traditional Spring Commencement Ceremonies to celebrate their success in completing their program of study. Two separate ceremonies were held to accommodate friends and families of the graduates.
The Commencement Ceremony for students in GNTC’s Business and Cyber related technology programs and Nursing and Health Technology programs began at noon. The Commencement Ceremony for students in GNTC’s Industrial and Public Service programs took place at 4 p.m.
Mark Upton, program director and instructor of Marketing Management at GNTC, led the invocation at the noon ceremony while Donny Holmes, program director and instructor of Construction Management at GNTC, led the invocation at the 4 p.m. ceremony.
At both ceremonies, Dr. Heidi Popham, president of GNTC, welcomed guests.
“The average age of our graduating class is 25 years old. The youngest is 17, and the most mature is 67,” Dr. Popham said.
The 230 graduates earned 256 awards and represent eight of the nine counties in GNTC’s service area, as well as eight additional Georgia counties and the state of Tennessee, and 58% of the graduates are first generation students, Dr. Popham said.
“Sixty-eight graduates are Dual Enrollment students, most likely participating in a college graduation—earning a college award—before you walk across your high school stage to earn your high school diploma,” Dr. Popham said. “Three of the Dual Enrollment students are earning an associate degree.”
Stuart Phillips, vice president of Student Affairs and Student Success at GNTC, introduced keynote commencement speaker Noelia Sargento. Sargento is GNTC’s 2026 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner. Last year, she was selected as GNTC’s 2025 EAGLE (Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education) award winner and then went on to become the TCSG’s 2025 Adult Education Student of the Year for the State of Georgia.
“You came this far because you refused to quit,” Sargento said. “Perhaps there were moments when many of you questioned yourselves, moments when you were tired, moments when life outside of school felt heavier than anything happening inside of the classroom.”
“Some of you worked full-time jobs,” Sargento said. “Some of you raised families. Some faced financial struggles, anxiety, loss or uncertainty about the future, but still you kept showing up.”
Legare Price, associate vice president of Student Success at GNTC, recognized High Honor and Honor graduates. A special recognition for graduates who are veterans, FBLA Collegiate members, National Technical Honor Society members, SkillsUSA members, First Generation College Students and Student Government Association members, as well as Dual Enrollment graduates, was also led by Price.
Dr. Elizabeth Anderson, executive vice president and chief academic officer of GNTC, presented the graduates. Dr. Popham conferred the graduates with associate degrees, diplomas and certificates.
Susan Bowman, program director, assistant dean and instructor of Health Information Management Technology, led the GNTC Alumni Association Oath prior to Dr. Anderson’s closing remarks.
“Today marks a significant milestone in your journey, but it is not the end,” Dr. Anderson said. “In fact, it is only the beginning of the countless opportunities that await you.”
“Technical education is not just about what you know,” Dr. Anderson said. “It’s about how you use that knowledge to innovate, to tackle real world problems and to make a meaningful impact on the world around you. Whether you are entering the workforce, continuing your studies or starting your own ventures, you have the power to shape the future.”
Listed are graduates who participated in the two 2026 Spring Commencement Ceremonies showing (from left) the graduate’s name and program of study. This list does not include students who have graduated, but did not participate in the ceremony, or students who registered for the ceremony after the commencement program was printed:
Noon ceremony
Associate of Applied Science degree
Preston L. Aiello, Business Management
Halle A. Arnold, Health Care Management
Samantha Ashmore, Respiratory Care
Dylan Lincoln Bailey, Computer Support Specialist
Alyse Barner, Marketing Management
Patricia Barrett, Accounting
Samantha A. Buchanan, Business Management
Austin M. Burkhalter, Respiratory Care
Sabrina B. Carrillo, Business Management
Ashley-Marie Cowan, Respiratory Care
Karen Stephanie Davila, Cybersecurity
Bianca Dean, Business Management
Gladys Debora, Accounting
Sonya English, Health Care Management
Normayda Escalante, Respiratory Care
Kera J. Eslinger, Marketing Management
Thomas Chandler Eslinger, Accounting
Paola Fraire Morales, Health Care Management
Lindsey Fuller, Respiratory Care
Linda Gandarilla, Business Technology
Jannimar M. Garcia, Business Management
Ramon Gonzalez, Business Healthcare Technology
Elizabeth Rayne Gray, Business Healthcare Technology
Chayna A. Green, Business Management
Erika Greenwell, Business Management
Sydney Ann Groves, Business Management
Paige Allison Hall, Paramedicine
Andrea Herran, Web Site Design/Development
Emma Ann Howard, Respiratory Care
Sheriah Tenil Lamar, Accounting
Deana M. Lambert, Business Technology
Tracy Diane Lewis, Business Management
Ethan Lyles, Business Management
Samuel Marquez Jr., Cybersecurity
De’ja Martin, Business Technology
Narmy Mata, Respiratory Care
Arliny S. Matos Celeste, Health Care Management
Camron T. Miles, Respiratory Care
Valerie Moreno, Marketing Management
Landon S. Murphy, Business Technology
Macy Elaine Nichols, Respiratory Care
Chandler Alexis Nielsen, Respiratory Care
Kaitlan Danielle Orozco, Business Management
Alyssa L. Patterson, Health Care Management
Tonya Payne, Business Healthcare Technology
Deisy A. Perez-Sontay, Business Management
Joshua John Pirtle, Cybersecurity
Lucy Prieto, Respiratory Care
Ariana Larritza Reyes, Health Care Management
Courtney A. Ripoll, Business Management
Maria Rosas, Business Management
Janie Sue Ruiz, Business Management
Enrique Amador Salaices, Supply Chain Management and Logistics
Daisy Sanchez, Business Management
Sonia Sanchez, Business Management
John Anthony Sexton, Business Management
Cali Shay Spivey, Business Management
Sallie Tanksley, Respiratory Care
Tabitha Tanner, Business Technology
Christian Taracena, Business Management
Indira Clarissa Teng, Accounting
Karlie Nikol Warren-Goetz, Health Care Management
Cydnie G. Watts, Marketing Management
Ashley Nicole Weaver, Accounting
Carmen Leota Webb, Health Care Management
Annabelle Sharliss Whitehead, Health Care Management
Britni Denise Williams, Accounting
Jessica Williams, Health Care Management
Kendrick Williams, Business Management
Sueann O. Yaoapoqa, Business Management
Diploma
Rebecca Carroll, Health Information Coding
Terri H. Christmas, Health Information Coding
Cassidy Jordan Dobbs, Marketing Management
John Isaac David McDonald, Computer Support Specialist
Kristofer Hunter Winfrey, Business Technology
Technical Certificate of Credit
Alexa Acevedo, Marketing Specialist
Samantha Marie Acevedo, Marketing Specialist
Jennifer Andalon, Medical Front Office Specialist
Tarianna J. Anderson, Administrative Support Assistant
Christian Arellano, Marketing Specialist
Madison A. Atkins, Central Sterile Supply Processing Tech (Basic)
Ladonna M. Ballard, Clinical Office Assistant
Jessica Banks, Healthcare Billing and Coding Specialist
Alea Kaye Donaldson, Early Childhood Care and Education
Brian Duong, Automotive Technology
Irvin Escobar Ruiz, Automation Technology
JaBresha Evans, Early Childhood Care and Education
Karla I. Guerrero Hernandez, Construction Management
Haley A. Harrison, Criminal Justice Technology
Adriel Y. Hernandez, Automation Technology
Antonio Hernandez Jr., Drafting Technology
Luis A. Liberato Perez, Automation Technology
Joshua Loais-Linares, Automation Technology
Kristine Annette Lopez, Early Childhood Care and Education
Malachi B. Madison, Construction Management
Latasha Camile McHan, Early Childhood Care and Education
Mercedes Leeann Mitchell, Early Childhood Care and Education
Marcus Lee Moon, Horticulture
Arturo Ramirez, Construction Management
Betty Gail Rogers, Social Work Assistant
Connor Rowell, Construction Management
Donovan Drake Scoggins, Automation Technology
Mary J. Sharay, Horticulture
Hunter Smith, Drafting Technology
Marvin Adonai Suarez, Automotive Technology
Hayden Bryant Swanson, Early Childhood Care and Education
Elias Z. Vasquez-Luax, Automation Technology
D’Mya Faith Wilson, Culinary Arts
Marc-Taylor Wright, Construction Management
Mayahuel S. Yaoapoqa, Precision Machining and Manufacturing
Diploma
Jasper Lyle Byrd, Diesel Equipment Technology
Victor Garcia, Welding and Joining Technology
Ethan Haygood, Air Conditioning Technology
Aaden Holloway, Diesel Equipment Technology
Cameron Love, Early Childhood Care and Education
Juan Pajarito, Air Conditioning Technology
Tiffany Peters, Early Childhood Care and Education
Hunter David Pickle, Welding and Joining Technology
Brian Pierce, Auto Collision Repair
Dustin Vanderlei Pineda-Rosales, Welding and Joining Technology
Jose Armando Quijano Torres, Welding and Joining Technology
Keny Yorick Ramirez-Gonsalez, Air Conditioning Technology
Leonel Rodriguez, Welding and Joining Technology
Yesenia Ruedas, Cosmetology
Leonardo Sanchez, Diesel Equipment Technology
Ismael Tirado, Auto Collision Repair
Abram Williams, Auto Collision Repair
Technical Certificate of Credit
Aleah Giselle Adams, Salon and Spa Support Specialist
Prezleigh Reese Baty, Salon and Spa Support Specialist
Bella L. Beavers, Criminal Justice Specialist
Michael B. Bejarano, Gas Tungsten Arc Welder
Hayden A. Charles, Gas Metal Arc Welder
Adamaris Chun Vasquez, Early Childhood Care and Education Basics
Johnathan Lee Coats, Criminal Justice Specialist
Marely Cruz, Salon and Spa Support Specialist
Daisy Gomez, Early Childhood Care and Education Basics
Jaydin K. Harris, Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welder
Kennedy Grace Hays, Salon and Spa Support Specialist
Abigail Hostler, Criminal Justice Specialist
Devon Jacob Jimenez, Lathe Operator
Natalia Jimenez, Salon and Spa Support Specialist
Lucy Ann Losh, Gas Tungsten Arc Welder
Malaysia McGinnis, Early Childhood Care and Education Basics
Alina Ray Melton, Early Childhood Care and Education Basics
Camden Moore, Commercial Truck Driving – Class A
Samantha Chrisann Odom, Salon and Spa Support Specialist
Aliyah M. Overby, Criminal Justice Specialist
Paytence A. Parker, Early Childhood Care and Education Basics
Emmanuel Dewayne Powell, Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welder
Destiny S. Rathbun, Early Childhood Care and Education Basics
Lashmi Rodriguez, Early Childhood Care and Education Basics
Tucker Allen Rudd, Criminal Justice Specialist
McKayla R. Silva, Master Cosmetology
Logan Silvers, Basic Shielded Metal Arc Welder
Faith Isabel Sims, Salon and Spa Support Specialist
Callie Smith, Salon and Spa Support Specialist
Shawn Peter Sondervan Jr., Vertical Shielded Metal Arc Welder Fabricator
Ty C. Stahl, Gas Tungsten Arc Welder
Aurelyse Lachale Starling, Salon and Spa Support Specialist
Landon Stoe, Lathe Operator
Jose A. Urdapilleta, Robotic Technician
Anitza Francisca Vicente-Vicente, Salon and Spa Support Specialist
Kadyn K. Walker, Gas Metal Arc Welder
Aiden Matthew Williams, Criminal Justice Specialist
Georgia Northwestern Technical College delivers high-quality workforce education to the citizens of northwest Georgia. Students can pursue associate degrees, diplomas and certificates in a wide range of career pathways, including aviation, business, health, industrial and public service. Over the past year, 14,082 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs. The college has an annual credit enrollment of 9,342 students and achieved a 100 percent placement rate. An additional 4,740 individuals are served through adult education, continuing education, business and industry training and Georgia Quick Start® programs. For more information about GNTC, visit us at www.GNTC.edu.
Cutlines for attached photos
1—John Anthony Sexton looks forward to receiving his associate degree in Business Management in the noon 2026 Spring Commencement Ceremony for GNTC.
2—(From left) McKenzie Fritts, Samantha A. Buchanan and Mark Fritts celebrate Buchanan’s graduation at the noon ceremony. Buchanan received an associate degree in Business Management at the noon 2026 Spring Commencement Ceremony for GNTC.
3—GNTC student Noelia Sargento (left) and Lauretta Hannon, executive director of Institutional Advancement at GNTC, pose for a photo between ceremonies. Sargento, GNTC’s 2026 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner, served as commencement keynote speaker for both ceremonies. In 2025, Sargento was selected as TCSG’s Adult Education Student of the Year for the State of Georgia.
4—Dr. Heidi Popham, president of GNTC (left), presents Janie Sue Ruiz with her associate degree in Business Management at the noon 2026 Spring Commencement Ceremony for GNTC.
5—Dr. Heidi Popham, president of GNTC (left), congratulates Sueann O. Yaoapoqa, who received her associate degree in Business Management at the noon 2026 Spring Commencement Ceremony for GNTC.
6— Dr. Heidi Popham, president of GNTC (left), presents Deshawn Green with his certificate in Marketing Specialist at the noon 2026 Spring Commencement Ceremony for GNTC.
7—Starnya K. Slack displays her certificate in Marketing Specialist. She graduated in the noon 2026 Spring Commencement Ceremony for GNTC.
8—(From left) Malak Odeh, Dana Khatib, Weaam J. Odeh, Saja Khatib and Asma Odeh celebrate Weaam J. Odeh’s graduation. She received her certificate in Marketing Specialist at the noon 2026 Spring Commencement Ceremony for GNTC.
9—Sabrina B. Carrillo received her associate degree in Business Management at the noon 2026 Spring Commencement Ceremony for GNTC.
10—Labreya Dublin received a certificate in Healthcare Office Assistant at the noon 2026 Spring Commencement Ceremony for GNTC.
11—Dr. Heidi Popham, GNTC president (left), congratulates Connor Rowell who received his associate degree in Construction Management at the 4 p.m. 2026 Spring Commencement Ceremony for GNTC.
12—Cameron Love celebrates receiving his diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education at the 4 p.m. 2026 Spring Commencement Ceremony for GNTC.
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Catherine Edgemon, MA | Marketing Media Specialist
o: 706-516-5006, c: 706-238-1796
Georgia Northwestern Technical College
2310 Maddox Chapel Road, Dalton, GA 30721
The Chattooga County Senior Center is hosting a May Memorial Day raffle ticket fundraiser to support local seniors.
Tickets are $1 each or six for $5 and may be purchased at Bryant & Sons or at the Chattooga County Senior Center Monday through Friday from 8 AM until 2 PM.
Participants will have a chance to win either three John Wayne books and two framed postage stamps, or a Nostalgia KPM200 2.5-ounce kettle popcorn maker, which will include one starter pack of popcorn.
The winner will be announced Friday, May 29, through Facebook Live and by phone.
The Chattooga County Emergency Management Agency is encouraging residents to roll up their sleeves and help save lives during an upcoming community blood drive.
The blood drive will take place Friday, May 15, from 12:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the Chattooga County EMA building located at 170 Farrar Drive in Summerville.
The event is being held in partnership with Blood Assurance under the theme “Give Local, Save Local.”
Organizers encourage donors to eat a good meal before donating, avoid energy drinks, drink extra water, and bring a photo ID to the event.
Blood Assurance is also offering an incentive during the campaign period. Donors participating between May 1st and May 15th will be entered for a chance to win a $100 gift card, with one winner selected per community.
Community members can scan the QR code on the event flyer to register or learn more about donation opportunities.
A community blood drive is set for Friday, May 15 at Atrium Health Floyd–Chattooga ER, located at 13583 Highway 27 in Trion.
The drive will take place from 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., and organizers say just one donation can help save up to three lives.
Those who donate between May 1st and May 15th will also be entered for a chance to win a $100 gift card as part of the Blood Assurance “Local Hero” promotion.
Appointments can be scheduled online at bloodassurance.org/chattoogaer.
Registration is now open for the upcoming Chattooga Indians Red and Black Basketball Camp, scheduled for later this month at Chattooga High School.
The camp will take place on May 28 and May 29 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and is open to boys and girls in first through fourth grade.
Organizers say the camp is designed to help young players develop fundamental basketball skills while also giving them the opportunity to play games and enjoy time on the court.
The registration fee is $20, payable by cash or check.
Parents and guardians interested in signing up their children are encouraged to register ahead of time.
Families looking for outdoor activities this weekend will have a couple of educational options at James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park in Chattooga County.
Residents in Chattooga County will have the opportunity to learn hands-on food preservation skills this summer through a series of workshops hosted by the UGA Extension Office.
The classes, led by Chattooga County Extension Agent Rebecca Thomas, will cover a variety of popular home preservation techniques and recipes, including jams, jellies, canning, and pickling.
Workshops begin June 2 with a session on Jams & Jellies from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Additional classes include:
Canning Tomatoes & Salsa on July 1 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Cowboy Candy on August 4 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Pickled Okra on September 24 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Each class costs $25, and space is limited to 15 participants per session. Officials say payment is required to secure registration.
All workshops will be held at the Chattooga County Extension Office, located at 40 Middle School Road in Summerville.
To register or for more information, call 706-857-0744.
Leroy Massey Elementary School is gearing up for a fun and colorful event this week as students and staff prepare for the annual Color Run on Friday, May 8.
School officials say the event is designed to create lasting memories while encouraging students to stay active and engaged in a fun environment.
Parents are encouraged to help students come prepared by sending appropriate closed-toe shoes, a water bottle to stay hydrated, a change of clothes, and sunglasses to protect from the sun and color powder.
Organizers also ask that all items be clearly labeled with the student’s name, grade, and homeroom to help keep track of belongings.
All God’s Children Homeschool Group is hosting a preorder lunch fundraiser for the Summerville and Trion communities.
Organizers will deliver premade lunches on Wednesday, May 6 at 12 PM. Each $5 meal includes a hotdog, chips, a cookie, and a bottle of water, with the option to add an extra hotdog for $1.
The group is encouraging local businesses and residents to participate, with delivery available to make it convenient for workplaces and organizations.
All orders must be placed by Monday, May 4 to allow time for preparation.
Payment can be made through Venmo, Cash App, or cash at delivery. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward supporting the homeschool group and its activities.
