The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) recognized 30 adult learners February 10, 2010, for their outstanding achievement in the state’s adult education program. Tamara Laura (Lauri) Jeffords, the valedictorian of the Okefenokee Technical College adult education class of fall 2009, was among those named at the event.

Students were honored as EAGLE delegates during an awards ceremony that was part of the TCSG Office of Adult Education’s annual Leadership Institute at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Atlanta. The keynote speakers were Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond and Ann Cramer, director of corporate citizenship and corporate affairs for IBM North America.

Jeffords was born and raised in Cleveland, Tennessee, and now resides in Waycross. She is currently attending Waycross College and working at Okefenokee Technical College as an instructor’s aide. She plans to pursue a career as an educator or librarian.

According to Cathy Daniels, Jeffords’ adult education instructor, “Lauri was timid and shy when she came into the program, but she has blossomed and gained a great deal of confidence. She completed the program in less than two months and scored so high on her GED exams that she was the valedictorian of her class.”

The 30 EAGLE (Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education) delegates were nominated by their instructors from among the more than 95,000 men and women who are enrolled in adult education programs throughout Georgia. The exceptional effort that they put forth in their studies and the success that they have achieved makes the EAGLE delegates outstanding role models for the million-plus Georgians who have never obtained their high school diploma or a GED.

TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson presented students with their EAGLE award. He noted that each student is considered to be an ambassador for Georgia’s adult education program and a spokesperson for the positive effect that working toward and earning a GED can have on people’s lives and their job potential.

“Through hard work and perseverance you’ve proven to yourself and others like you that it’s possible to overcome life’s obstacles and get the education and respect that you’ve always deserved,” said Jackson. “Now, I call on you to not only continue your education, but also to help spread the word that obtaining a GED is a very important step toward discovering your potential, getting a better job, and improving the future for you, your family and your community.”   

Photo 1:
Lauri Jeffords (second from left), was recognized as an EAGLE delegate by Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond (L to R), TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson, and TCSG Deputy Commissioner Josephine Reed-Taylor.

Photo 2:
Lauri Jeffords (right) of Ware County was recently named the Okefenokee Technical College (OTC) Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) award winner for 2010. Jeffords was nominated for this honor by her instructor, Cathy Daniels (left), and recognized at the TCSG’s Leadership Institute February 10 at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta.