From Augusta Technical College's Augusta campus, pictured from left to right, Howie Gunby, Director of Adult Education; Diane Cook-Jackson, Assistant Director of Adult Education; EAGLE Winner Keya Moore with her Nominating Instructor Julia Thomas.

Eagle Candidates from Augusta Technical College from left to right, Winner Keya Moore from Richmond County, James Farmer of Burke County; Tabitha Corbin of Columbia County; and Annica Roper of Burke County.

Keya Moore has been chosen to represent Augusta Technical College at the EAGLE Leadership Institute February 11-13, 2009.  The Leadership Institute recognizes and honors those students who have demonstrated superior achievement in adult education classes and programs.

EAGLES is the first statewide program in the nation that recognizes and rewards excellence among students enrolled in adult education programs.  This student recognition program designed to create greater awareness of education opportunities that are available in local communities across the state and to foster greater involvement in lifelong learning pursuits.

"A student must be nominated by his or her instructor based on several personal traits, and we had four great nominees this year," said Howie Gunby, Director of Adult Education at Augusta Technical College.

The four nominees from Augusta Tech were Annica Roper and James Farmer from Burke County; Tabitha Corbin from Columbia County; and Keya Moore from Richmond County.

Adult Education teachers nominate students for seven categories of competition including Adult Basic Education, English Literacy Program, and GED (General Education Development) Diploma recipient.  Then, nominees move on to the local interview portion of the competition.

Judges for this year's local competition were: Sheri Rowe, Department Head-Printing/Graphics Technology; Robert Anderson, Retired Assistant Director-Augusta/Richmond County Public Works; Joey Windham, Retired Educator-McDuffie County Schools, and Mr. James "Chick" Jones Mayor Pro-Temp Waynesboro Ga. In making their choice, the judges consider character, attitude, leadership, attendance, personal appearance, enthusiasm, and community activities.

"We were very excited to see the passion and dedication of all our students as they competed in the EAGLE Awards Program. We assured them, they are ll winners no matter who is selected and urged them to continue to strive towards their goals in life," said Tameka Gordon, Adult Education Instructor at Augusta Tech.

The next step for Keya is to attend the Leadership Institute.  During this series of leadership workshops, Keya, now called a Literacy Ambassador have the opportunity to parcipate in numerous activities around the state and also help promote Adult Education Programs nationally.

The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) through its Office of Adult Education (OAE) sponsors the annual Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) Leadership Institute.