GED graduates in the last year:
Jeremy Alcorn, Kyle Avery, Ricky Chafin, Amber Corbin, Aaron Cruse, Amanda Curry, Nathan Davis, Zach Dinsmore, Rebekah Donovan, Alan Dyer, James Edison, Talion Flowers, Steve Freeman, Jerrie Gillam, Anthony Glenn, Waylan Grizzle, Anthony Grady, Taylor Harkins, Meghan Harris, Dakota Hewatt, Jacquelyn Hopper, Tyler Kopazna, Steven Kyle, Kayla Ledbetter, Darrin Legano, Abigail Mauragas, Alexis McClusky, Elizabeth Michelini, Stephen Newton, Emily Pittman, Kristie Ray, Jordan Reed, John Ruiz, Sheree Samples, James Shubert, Jacob Smeltzer, Jamie Spratling, Sandy Stowers, Shirley Truitt, Seth Word and Joshua West.
There were no caps and gowns, but plenty of smiling faces as a list of graduates was read at the Dawson County Adult Learning Center last week.
"Everybody has worked so hard," said Pat Story, interim lead instructor at the downtown center, a division of Lanier Technical College.
Amber Corbin, 23, of Cumming, was among dozens of graduates who completed GED requirements in the last 12 months.
For Corbin, the diploma is about making a better life for herself and young son Jace.
"This is as much about him as it is about me. I'm ready to go further and get a career," she said.
Since completing her GED earlier this year, she has enrolled in Lanier Tech's health care sciences program.
Corbin was also recognized as the winner of the Dawson County Woman's Club's annual GED Scholarship.
The scholarship pays tribute to Helen Taylor, a past club president who was instrumental in establishing a literacy program for adults, which paved the way for what is now known as the county's adult learning center.
Taylor was in attendance to present the scholarship.
"The woman's club is very happy to encourage you to reaching your goal," Taylor said.
Mother Angela Dickerson said she was overjoyed to see Corbin's success.
"I am so proud and blessed to have a daughter like Amber. She told me she wanted to go back to school and I was going to be there to support her," she said. "We are very proud of her."
Lanier Tech will hold a formal commencement ceremony in August for GED graduates from area adult learning centers.