When Amayani Montalvo walked across the stage to receive her GED, the moment felt bigger than a certificate. In the audience were the people who had carried her through years of uncertainty—family members whose pride reflected just how far she had come. “Seeing my loved ones looking at me just as proud,” she said, “was the moment everything clicked.”
That moment is now at the heart of Amayani’s recognition as Georgia Piedmont Technical College’s 2026 Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) nominee. This statewide honor celebrates adult learners who show perseverance, leadership, and academic achievement. Each year, the Technical College System of Georgia chooses one delegate from each technical college to represent the impact of adult education.
Amayani’s path to that stage was far from straightforward. At 11, her mother was deported to Mexico, so Amayani left school in the fifth grade to move with her. The next few years brought moves from Mexico to Texas and then to Georgia, with long periods out of school. By the time she reunited with her father at 16, she had missed years of education and watched her friends graduate and go to college.
“I didn’t want to be left behind,” Amayani said. That feeling motivated her to enroll in adult education and work toward her GED. The journey was not easy. She paused her studies more than once due to transportation issues and family obligations. Things changed when she moved to Covington and met her husband, who became her biggest supporter during tough times. “He saw the stress, the tears, and the moments when I wanted to quit,” she said. “His support is the reason I graduated.”
In just four months, Amayani completed her GED, proving to herself that persistence could rewrite even the most interrupted story. Being named an EAGLE Delegate has helped her see her accomplishments in a new light. “I’ve never really been someone who notices my own achievements. Having others recognize that means a lot to my family and me.”
Now pursuing a career as a dental assistant, Amayani hopes her story resonates with adults who are hesitant to take that first step. “No matter your age, race, religion, or obstacles,” she said, “none of that should stop you from wanting a better future.”
If she could speak to herself on the first day of her journey, Amayani knows exactly what she’d say: remember how badly you wanted this—and keep going.