Brandon Matias has been chosen to represent Savannah Technical College at the Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) Leadership Institute on March 16-18 in Atlanta.
Matias is enrolled in STC’s accelerating-opportunity program, where he takes adult-education classes for his General Education Development diploma, in conjunction with welding classes. When he earns his GED and completes his welding training, Matias plans to become a welder/fabricator, work for himself and live his dream of becoming an entrepreneur.
“Brandon is always willing to help, not only his peers, but his instructors as well,” STC Dean of Adult Education Brent Stubbs said. “He is a dependable, hardworking young man that has the potential to become a master welder, educator or anything else he puts his mind to.”
The EAGLE Leadership Institute recognizes and honors students who have demonstrated superior achievement in adult-education classes. Selection criteria include student character, attitude, attendance, leadership and community involvement and activities. From this group, one student is selected to represent the local program at the state EAGLE Leadership Institute. The Institute provides workshops in leadership topics to build on leadership characteristics the student already exhibits.
EAGLE is the first statewide program in the nation that recognizes and rewards excellence among students enrolled in adult-education programs.
Every EAGLE delegate is considered an ambassador and spokesperson for literacy serving local communities and the state by promoting lifelong learning. Since its inception in 1993, the EAGLE Award program has recognized more than 1,600 outstanding students across the state. In additional to serving as volunteer role models for family members, friends, neighbors and co-workers, EAGLE delegates serve as mentors, peer tutors and recruiters of other students into local adult education programs.
Accelerating opportunity allows a person who does not have a GED or those who do have a high-school diploma but are not college-ready to enroll in STC while working toward their GED and/or becoming college ready. At the end of each program, students will exit with a GED, if applicable, and at least one certification that can lead to a family-sustaining wage career.
The program serves those who need to improve their basic literacy and math skills, improve their oral and written English, practice for the GED test to attain a high-school equivalency degree, and prepare for college. Instructors also help students with science and social studies test preparation for GED testing. Classes are offered in Liberty, Bryan, Chatham and Effingham counties with multiple locations in each community. Adult-education classes for GED-rep are free for all U.S. citizens.
For GED-testing information, go to www.ged.com to sign up to take test or go to www.savannahtech.edu/testingcenter to learn more about our testing locations.