CARROLLTON, GA — Marco Rodriguez, a Carrollton High School graduating senior, has been awarded special recognition as a 2026 Exemplary English Learner by the Georgia Department of Education.

Marco is one of only 57 seniors recognized statewide for the honor. This year’s honorees represent 16 countries and 15 languages other than English. All have a GPA higher than 3.5, are on track to graduate this year, demonstrate exceptional work ethic and behavior, and have taken academically rigorous courses.

Marco, the son of Silvia Yohana Duarte and Marco Rodriguez Sr., is a motivated student who has continually worked to improve his skills while helping others to do the same. Marco dedicated himself to his studies and is an International Baccalaureate diploma student. 

“Marco has a strong commitment to his work and holds himself and his peers to a high standard,” said CHS Principal Dr. Ian Lyle. “This award honors the dedication he has shown to his studies. We are excited to be able to celebrate him and this incredible achievement.”

CHS IB teacher and program coordinator Dr. Noah Brewer shared that Marco’s ability to make deep cultural and linguistic connections to the curriculum enriches learning for everyone involved. 

“Marco is an outstanding student,” said Brewer. “His progress in learning English was already impressive to his classmates and me upon entering the program, and it has only continued to deepen and improve his language skills alongside his academic knowledge.” 

During his senior year, he organized a Hispanic heritage event at CHS as his capstone project, and he volunteered to support a family engagement night at Carrollton Upper Elementary School, where he taught about Latin culture and recipes, speaking both Spanish and English. 

He is a member of both the National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society in addition to being named a projected honor graduate and IB diploma recipient. 

“One thing that I have learned throughout all my years in school is that the most successful people are the ones who work the hardest,” Marco explained. “You don’t need to be born with the answer to everything in the world. If you want to achieve something, no matter the size, your own effort and persistence will get you there.”

Marco plans to take a gap year in his education and gain experience to pursue an aviation career with the goal of becoming a pilot. 
 

Carrollton High School senior Marco Rodriguez was selected by the Georgia Department of Education as a 2026 Exemplary English Learner. Pictured with Marco is CHS Assistant Principal Ashleigh Paulk.