2025 Villa Rica High School graduate Rigo Valdez has been awarded special recognition as a 2025 Exemplary English Learner by the Georgia Department of Education. Valdez is one of only 49 seniors recognized statewide for the honor. This year’s honorees represent 22 countries and 12 languages other than English. All have a GPA higher than 3.5, demonstrate exceptional work ethic and behavior, and have taken Advanced Placement and honors courses.
Laura Cano (left) was named one of 58 Exemplary ESOL educators statewide. Each year, the Georgia Department of Education awards teachers with the ESOL Exemplary Teacher honor. ESOL is the state-funded language instruction educational program for eligible English Learners in grades K-12 in Georgia public schools. Recipients serve as model educators, pursuing opportunities to improve their instruction. As an ESOL teacher, Cano focuses on developing academic English proficiency in English language learners to support success in school.
Valdez and Cano are pictured with April Price from the Carroll County Schools Teaching & Learning Department.