Technical College System of Georgia honors 26 adult learners with 2019 EAGLE Award

Simonne A. Crane from West
Georgia Technical College is named Georgia’s adult education student of
the year

ATLANTA, GA—The Technical College System of
Georgia (TCSG) has recognized 26 adult learners with the 26thannual
Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) Award for outstanding
achievement in the state’s adult education program. Simonne A. Crane, a
delegate from West Georgia Technical College, was named as TCSG’s 2019 adult
education student of the year.

The
awards were presented by TCSG Commissioner Matt Arthur and TCSG Assistant
Commissioner for Adult Education, Dr. Cayanna Good, during an event at the
Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel in Atlanta on March 13. 

“The
26 students that we are honoring today have all made a commitment to improving
their lives through adult education,” said Commissioner Arthur. “For many of
them, the path they took to get here was a challenging one. But, through hard
work and determination, the road they are on now is one that will lead to a
more fulfilling life and better job opportunities.”  

Five students standing on stage. Center student is waving to the crowd.
Simonne A. Crane (center), a delegate from West Georgia Technical College, was named as TCSG’s 2019 adult education student of the year.

Simonne,
who was selected by a panel of judges from business and education, will receive
a full scholarship to the technical college of her choice. In addition, her
fees and books will be paid for through a stipend from the Brenda Wise
Scholarship Fund, established in 2014 in memory of Brenda Wise, a lifelong
supporter of adult education.

Over
the coming year, Simonne will travel the state as Georgia’s EAGLE ambassador
for adult education, speaking to students, civic groups, legislators, and
others about literacy and lifelong learning. 

The
runner-up for the adult education student of the year is Joshua Jackson from
Southern Regional Technical College. Winner of the “Spirit” award is Virginia
M. Scott from Central Georgia Technical College. More than 260 guests applauded
the students for overcoming obstacles that once stood in the way of their
education and then excelling in the classroom while preparing for their GED®
credentials.

TCSG’s
EAGLE Award recognizes and honors students from throughout the state who have
demonstrated exceptional achievement in TCSG’s adult education programs. More
than 53,000 men and women took part in Georgia’s adult education programs last
year. Each March, the local EAGLE winners are the guests of a three-day
conference in Atlanta that ends with a lunch banquet in their honor.

The
complete list of the EAGLE delegates for 2019 follows: 

  • Lois Shiver, Albany Technical College
  • Johnathan Miranda, Athens Technical College
  • Oghenerukevwe Princess Aleke, Atlanta Public Schools
  • Tasia Golston, Atlanta Technical College
  • Graciela Dean, Augusta Technical College
  • Virginia M. Scott, Central Georgia Technical College
  • Derrick Whitaker, Chattahoochee Technical College
  • Carlo Timothee, Clayton County Public Schools
  • Vivian Crooks, Coastal Pines Technical College
  • Brianna Hubbell, Cobb County School District
  • Crystal Dozier, Columbus Technical College
  • Harley Chastain, Georgia Northwestern Technical College
  • Jerrica N. Wilson, Georgia Piedmont Technical College
  • Sophonie Joseph-Canel, Gwinnett Technical College
  • Delia Andino, Lanier Technical College
  • Sara Aguirre Lopez, Literacy Action
  • Mechack Mukalengi Nduwa, North Georgia Technical College
  • Maria Teresa Lopez Leguizamo, Oconee Fall Line Technical College
  • Cathleen Brown, Ogeechee Technical College
  • Rebecca Hutcheson, Savannah Technical College
  • Heather K. Hinton, South Georgia Technical College
  • Daysia Heggs, Southeastern Technical College
  • Adrian Venegas-Garcia, Southern Crescent Technical College
  • Joshua Jackson, Southern Regional Technical College
  • Simonne A. Crane, West Georgia Technical College
  • Aciena Golden, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College

About the Technical College System of Georgia

The 22 colleges of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG)
are Georgia’s top resource for skilled workers. TCSG offers world-class
training in 600 associate degree, diploma and certificate programs to students
who are trained on state-of-the-art equipment by instructors who are experts in
their fields. The system also houses Georgia’s Office of Adult Education, which
promotes and provides adult literacy and education programs, including the GED®
testing program, throughout the state. In addition, TCSG partners with
companies through Quick Start, the nation’s top customized workforce training
program, and through its individual colleges, who work with local industry to
provide workforce and training solutions. For more information, visit www.TCSG.edu.