Atlanta – More than 1.1 million Georgians over the age of 25 are without their high school or GED® diploma, and each day they face considerable odds against achieving success. In fact, they’ll earn an average of almost $9,000 less annually than a person with a high school diploma, their chances of going to prison are higher, and their self-esteem is lower.

It doesn’t have to be that way. The GED Tests provide adults everywhere with the opportunity to demonstrate the skills and knowledge levels that are equivalent to a high school course of study.  A GED diploma can, and will, open doors to exciting new pathways for success.

Last year, almost 20,000 Georgians changed their lives for the better and improved their job opportunities by earning their GED diploma. Some of them will be honored by the Technical College System of Georgia’s Office of Adult Education (OAE) during the annual GED Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.

An integral part of the OAE’s fall adult education conference, the luncheon brings together adult educators and supporters from throughout Georgia to celebrate the exceptional achievement of the state’s GED recipients and notable service by staff from the statewide GED testing centers.

The award categories include the GED Student of the Year for Youth Challenge, Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) and Golden EAGLE (senior citizen) programs, as well as the GED Award of Exemplary Performance.

According to Lisha Garbuzovas, a GED diploma recipient who will introduce the luncheon keynote speaker, “After I passed the GED tests and got my diploma, I went to college and now work for a Fortune 500 company.  I want others to see my success and use the GED program to improve their lives and open pathways to real and rewarding careers.”

The luncheon keynote speaker will be Nicole M. Chestang, the incoming vice president of the American Council on Education (ACE) and executive director of the GED Testing Service® (GEDTS).  Chestang’s speech will include her comments about a new program from the ACE, called GED 20/20, that will dramatically increase the number of GED test-takers and GED credential recipients and prepare them to pursue postsecondary education opportunities.

The luncheon schedule is as follows:

GED® Awards Luncheon
Thursday, October 29, 11:30 a.m.
Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Grand Hall West
265 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA  

Welcome.............................Andy Hawley Radio Personality, Dave FM, Atlanta

Greetings.............................Dr. Josephine Reed-Taylor Assistant Commissioner, Office of Adult Education

                                           Commissioner Ron Jackson, Technical College System of Georgia

                                           Mary P. Flanders, State Board Member, TCSG

Invocation...........................Reverend Tim Millwood TCSG Ecumenical Outreach Program, Steering Committee

Introduction of Keynote Speaker..............Lisha Garbuzovas, GED Diploma Recipient

Keynote Address...............Nicole M. Chestang, Incoming Vice President, American Council on

                                          Education and Executive Director, GED Testing Service®

GED Awards.....................Kim Lee Director, Georgia GED Testing Program

Presentation of Awards......Ron Jackson, Josephine Reed-Taylor, and Nicole Chestang

EAGLE GED Student of the Year
TANF GED Student of the Year
Youth Challenge GED Student of the Year
Golden EAGLE GED Student of the Year
GED Award of Exemplary Performance
GED Testing Center Awards
GED Chief Examiner of the Year
GED Graduate Outstanding Achievement

GED® and the GED Testing Service® are registered trademarks of the American Council on Education® and may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the American Council on Education.