ALBANY, GEORGIA – Albany Technical College’s Adult Education program has chosen the 2018 delegate for Albany Technical College for the Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) competition. Damario Taylor will serve as this coming year’s delegate.
A native of Albany, Georgia, Damario Taylor began his journey at Albany Tech in June of this year, earning his GED® in August. He is currently enrolled in Albany Tech’s Industrial Operations Technician technical certificate program with a goal of obtaining employment with Procter and Gamble while working on his associate’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
Residing with his parents and younger sisters, Taylor has overcome many obstacles on his journey. When he dropped out of high school at the age of 16, he ran away from home for two years and found himself with the wrong crowd. Deciding this was not the life he wanted for himself, he returned home to Albany looking for a job, but realized that without a high school diploma or GED®, that was impossible. A friend recommended he enroll in Albany Tech’s GED® program.
“When I first enrolled, I was behind, but the teachers and even other students took the time to help me,” said Taylor. “Because of their help, I passed the GED® test on my first try. The GED® program at Albany Tech gave me all the support I needed with convenient class hours and excellent instructors. They seemed to really care and want me to succeed. It’s amazing how much that little piece of paper can change your life.”
Taylor credits Albany Tech’s GED® program with pushing him further and opening up doors for him that he didn’t know existed. “Now when I talk to people, I no longer say I’m a high school dropout,” said Taylor, “I say I am an Albany Tech graduate with a job waiting on him and want to encourage anyone who has dropped out of school to not wait, just do it.”
Taylor will represent Albany Tech at the Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) 2018 EAGLE competition during the month of March with an opportunity to compete for the state winner title.