Mickey Starling
reporter3@greenepublishing.com
Madison resident Tony Banks is not one to give up easily. He attended Madison County High School in 1992, struggling with a learning disability that prohibited him from graduating.
After thirty years of working through the GED program, Banks successfully graduated on Feb. 14, topping off a perfect Valentine’s Day. “I was so excited,” remembers Banks. “This was a great accomplishment to earn my high school diploma.” He celebrated at Texas Roadhouse, in Valdosta, Ga., with his mother Martha Waddail, her husband, Tom Waddail and his aunt, Debra Rains. On the following Saturday, Banks enjoyed a special reception at Fellowship Baptist Church.
Banks appreciates all the help he received from Marguerite Page, Sharon Fletcher and Leslie Fletcher. “I couldn’t have made it without their help,” said Banks. “But, as a believer in Christ, He gave me the hope, assurance and encouragement I needed to succeed.”
Failure was never an option for Banks, regardless of the difficulty or time needed to achieve his goal. “I never considered quitting,” said Banks. “Quitting wasn’t part of my vocabulary.” Banks sees his experience as a testimony he can use to encourage others who find learning difficult. “If I can do it, anybody can,” stated Banks with confidence.