When Will Smith entered the ninth grade at Cedar Bluff High School, his whole world turned upside down after his father had a debilitating stroke.

“I had to help my mom take over the family business,” said Smith, 16. “At first we tried home-schooling, but then no one recognized that as a diploma. So I decided to take this route.”

Smith was one of the 15 individuals of the Northwest Georgia Housing Authority Adult Education Program honored Tuesday morning for receiving GED diplomas during the past year.

The past three years, Smith, along with his mother, ran Peewee’s porta-toliet business. It was when he turned 16, however, that he decided to get his GED — which he received in October of 2006 with honors.

“I had to grow up in a hurry,” he said. “I went through this program because I heard it was one of the easier ways to get your GED, and it only took me three weeks going every day.”

Tuesday also marked a special day for Smith as he finished his first round of core classes at Coosa Valley Technical College.

“I’ve been placed on a list for LPNs,” said Smith, “but I have to wait until I’m actually 18 to do it. I’m going to school right now to try and be an EMT. Afterward, I want to go to college to receive my RN. I want to fly on Life Flight, an emergency air ambulance.”

GED Lead Instructor Alan English said most of the graduates of the program, like Smith, successfully move on to attend college or to find better work.

“This is a small program, but it is a fine program,” said English.

The Northwest Georgia Housing Authority Adult Education Program started 15 years ago as part of the Drug Elimination program.

Terry Smith, Will’s mother, said she, his dad, Gary, and his brother Logan could not be prouder.

“I knew he had it in him,” she said. “He’s such a smart kid. He really wants to make something of his life.”