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PAGE 6 June 2026
GED and High School Diploma Recipients A total of 59 Adult Education students who earned their general equivalency or high school diploma was recognized during a ceremony on May 5 at Wallace Hall on the campus of Gadsden State Community college. Twenty-three students earned their GED, which requires them to pass four test subjects, including language arts, math, science and social studies. Most of the students took advantage of Gadsden State’s free GED preparation courses taught in Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Etowah, and Cherokee counties. The students recognized for obtaining their GED are Jessica Allen, Dakota Bonner, Kerrigan Carpenter, Donny Donahue, Rowyn Goodwin, Chase Anthony Gramling, Brooke Grizzard, Brandon Hayes, Anthony Lara Hernandez, Jennifer Hodge, Alan David Kilpatrick, Courtney Marie Meredith, Austin Neil Miller, Killian Parris, Makayla Posey, Matthew Shirley, Deeanna Sims, Cheyanne Smith, Forrest L. Smith III, Keyahara Speights, Gabrielle Thomas, Michal Thomas, Christian Matthew Thrasher, and Ilia Wooldridge. There were 35 students recognized for earning their high school diplomas through the Non-traditional High School Diploma Option offered in partnership with the Alabama Community College System and the Alabama State Department of Education. The HSDO is available for an adult who attended an Alabama high school and earned enough credits to graduate but did not pass the high school graduation exam as well as adults who earned 10 or more credits from an Alabama high school but required additional credits for high school completion. The following students received a high school diploma from the last Alabama high school they attended: Lindsey Alford, Keith Anderson, Daylen Baise, Taylor Bentley, Savannah Brantley, William Dalton Busby, William Walter Clevenger, Tamia Clifton, Sonya Collins, Richard Colvin, Emma E. Cothran, James Brock Duncan, Alex Dunn, Martasia Garrett, Alexis Guinn, Elisabeth Hancock, Alexander Lamar Jordan, Bilma Escobar Lopez, Keira Lovelidge, Samuel Lutes, Kayla Nicole McKendree, Ana Morales, Jariya Nolen-Norris, Olivia Pinson, Edward Ranson, Nicholas Rollins, Jonathan Shadwrick, Kalina Smith, Joseph Studdard, Derek Tucker, Trivia J. Verges, Kimberley Walker, Jamila Whisenant, William Wilson, and Gracie Wood. Cardinal Foundation Scholarship Recipients The Cardinal Foundation at Gadsden State Community recently announced scholarship recipients for the 2026–2027 academic year. These awards recognize students for academic achievement, leadership, and dedication to their educational and career goals, while helping expand access to higher education and workforce training opportunities across the region. The students are planning to pursue fields ranging from health care and technical trades to general education and emerging workforce disciplines. Representing communities across the college’s service area, these students reflect Gadsden State Community College’s mission to serve as a true college for the community. The 2026–2027 Cardinal Foundation Scholarship Recipients include: • AMC Legacy Wall Technical Scholarship: Ashley Downey, Anniston — Mechanical Design Technology • AMC Legacy Wall Technical Scholarship: Justin Mann, Jacksonville — Auto Collision Repair • Benjamin Steinberg Nursing Scholarship: Devyn Davenport, Gadsden — Registered Nursing • Boys and Girls Club of Etowah Scholarship: Summer Robinson, Attalla — General Studies • Cardinal Foundation Past President Honorary Scholarship: Melissa Tressler, Leesburg — Pre-Nursing • Chad Hawkins Memorial Scholarship: Cindy Wallace, Anniston — Nursing • Dr. Martha and Tim Lavender Scholarship: Ashley Rivera, Hokes Bluff — General Studies • Ford Jamboree Scholarship: James Patty, Heflin — Electronic Engineering Technology • Gerald Acker Scholarship – Current Student: Eric Tate, Pinson — Electrical Technology • GRIP Autocross Scholarship: Aydan Farr, Collinsville — Precision Machining Technology • Image Matters Radiography Scholarship: Grace Sarazin, Centre — Radiography • Louis and Elaine Marsalis Scholarship – Cherokee Campus: Railey Mayfield, Oxford — Registered Nursing • Louis and Elaine Marsalis Scholarship – Cherokee Campus: Lexie Snow, Leesburg — Registered Nursing • Michael Joe Wofford Memorial Scholarship: Daniel Bradley, Hokes Bluff — General Studies • SPA Kathy Brown Memorial Scholarship: Kanisha Swain, Birmingham — Office Administration/Health Information Technology • Stephen & April Lafollette Scholarship: Madison Sims, Anniston — Radiography • Stephen & April Lafollette Scholarship: Cassandra McDaris, Attalla — General Studies • SWOOP Sprint Scholarship – Ayers: Kenzie Quick, Piedmont — General Studies • SWOOP Sprint Scholarship – Cherokee, East Broad/Wallace (Academic): Litzy Adamaris Ramirez Gonzalez, Gadsden — Paralegal • SWOOP Sprint Scholarship – Cherokee, East Broad/Wallace (Technical): Kenyan Smith, Albertville — Court Reporting • SWOOP Sprint Scholarship – Cherokee, East Broad/Wallace (Cherokee): Haley Sprayberry, Cedar Bluff — General Studies • SWOOP Sprint Scholarship – Valley: Ashley Bynum, Southside — Diagnostic Medical Sonography • Tim & Laura McCartney Scholarship: Jeremiah Fowler, Glencoe — Industrial Automation Technology • Tim & Laura McCartney Scholarship: Blake Green, Gadsden — Precision Machining Technology • Tyler Union Electrical Technology Scholarship: Benjamin Brady, Oxford — Industrial Automation Technology • Tyler Union Electrical Technology Scholarship: Alex Zavala, Ohatchee – Electrical Technology • Tyler Union Workforce Development Scholarship: Gael Chino, Oxford — Industrial Automation Technology • Tyler Union Workforce Development Scholarship: Kingston Peeler, Jacksonville — Industrial Automation Technology • Tyler Union Workforce Development Scholarship: Zach Pressley, Wellborn — Electrical Technology • William Thomas Dawson Family Scholarship: Micah Lasseter, Glencoe — General Studies • William Thomas Dawson Family Scholarship – Renewal: Elijah Hammett, Gadsden — Mechanical Design Technology • William Thomas Dawson Family Scholarship: Sadie Sanchez, Attalla — General Studies “These scholarships are an investment in the future of our communities,” said Eric Crabtree, current president of the Cardinal Foundation. “By supporting these students, we are helping to strengthen the local workforce and create opportunities for long-term success.”
By: Alabama Governor Kay Ivey As America observes National Teacher Appreciation Month this May, I am reminded of the lasting impact teachers have on our lives. Some of my best memories have been spent in classrooms – from attending elementary through high school in Wilcox County to Auburn University and later teaching a class of my own. These experiences not only shaped my journey but also reinforced my belief that investing in education is one of the most important responsibilities we have as a state. Because of what education means to me, elevating the quality of instruction in Alabama’s classrooms has been a top priority throughout my nine years as governor. And that started with teachers. Each year in office, I have requested teacher pay raises. Including the additional two percent proposed for the upcoming fiscal year, my Administration will have increased educator’s pay overall by 18.5 percent since taking office. We have also begun stipends for hard-to-staff schools and for certified academic language therapists, special education teachers and speech pathologists. During the last legislative session, we passed the largest education budget in state history. Beyond salary and benefit increases, I have remained committed to improving the quality of life for Alabama’s teachers. Just last year, I signed the Alabama Public Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2025, which allows up to eight weeks of paid parental leave for our teachers. During my Administration, Alabama has invested in the future of education more than ever before, and we are seeing historic gains in college and career readiness, math recovery and pathways for career and technical education instructors along with it. These record investments matter because our teachers matter. Success in the classroom is just not possible without the skills and dedication of our teachers. Last summer, the National Council on Teacher Quality reported that Alabama teachers ranked the best prepared in the nation in improving elementary math instruction. And I have a feeling they are just getting started! Teachers also played a role in the passage of legislation last year enhancing the quality of learning for Alabama’s students. The Focus Act, which removes distracting cell phones from classrooms, has already been hailed as a huge benefit to student engagement and learning. Teachers strongly supported this commonsense idea! When viewed from the basic level, our educators power every part of our society. Because of them, engineers develop the skills to design our roadways, farmers learn the fundamentals of agriculture to grow the food that comes to our tables, nurses learn to provide both expert and compassionate care for our families, and the next generation is prepared to build a stronger future for us all. Each day, the dedicated individuals within our schools provide the tools that will define the legacy of our Sweet Home Alabama. That is why, throughout the year, we must commit to celebrating the selfless dedication and enduring influence of those who lead our classrooms and guide the future of our communities because stronger teachers mean stronger students and a stronger Alabama! Alabama Governor Kay Ivey’s OpEd Strong Teachers Shape A Strong Alabama
You’re Invited To Celebrate With Us! Ribbon Cutting June 17, 2026 Albertville 11:00 A.M. Located at 700 Alabama Highway 75
Guntersville 4:00 P.M. Located at 312 Gunter Avenue
Food, Door Prizes, and More! For More Info Call 256-849-0077
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