Central Carolina Community College's College and Career Readiness Commencement Exercises was a huge celebration. The June 18 event at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center honored the achievements of more than 45 students.
SANFORD -- Central Carolina Community College's College and Career Readiness Commencement Exercises was a huge celebration. The June 18 event at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center honored the achievements of more than 45 students.
Mark Hall, CCCC's Chatham County Provost, welcomed the audience.
College and Career Readiness Coordinators Melody McGee of Harnett County, Daniel Loges in Chatham County, and Sandra Thompson in Lee County introduced the commencement student speakers.
Heidi Noelle Johnson, a Chatham County graduate, told her fellow graduates that they were here to better themselves. "We all have to pull off of the curb and just go. Today shows that not only I, but every single person in this room, got up off that curb and drove the first mile to success," she said. "If I work hard and keep my eyes on the road, there are no limits to how much I can do for my education and my future. Remember, graduates, we are all one community. We can all make a difference. It starts with me and it starts with you.
Sylvia Ann Howell, a Harnett County graduate, said she was a young single parent who dropped out of high school to raise her daughter. "I wanted to provide for her the foundation and opportunity to receive the best education that she needed in her life. I knew the only way I could do that was to complete my own education," she said. "I want to encourage every student that is graduating tonight with these encouraging words: Continue your education and know you cannot do anything on your own strength, however, with God, nothing shall be impossible."
Gloria Sherea MacDougald is a Lee County graduate, noted that the graduates have completed the basic education that serves as the platform that will take them into their futures. "To begin something new, you must sacrifice something old. To enter the real world, you must graduate from your childhood," she said. "Some of us will go on to college, others will go straight into the workforce, but each of us will travel our own path. It's not enough to simply try to get by in life."
Dr. Brian S. Merritt, Vice President of Student Learning, recognized the honor graduates. Gloria Sherea MacDougald and Magdalena Dejesus Torres were recognized as Adult High School honor graduates with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Three students received CCCC Foundation scholarships, in the amount of $600, to continue their education. The students are Gloria Sherea MacDougald, Sylvia Ann Howell, and Heidi Noelle Johnson. Shaqwan Epps received the W.B. Wicker Scholarship in the amount of $500.
In addition, each student who participated in graduation will receive a tuition scholarship voucher for a free three credit hour curriculum course or one continuing education course at the college.
Dr. Pamela Senegal, Vice President of Economic and Community Development, introduced the College and Career Readiness faculty, staff, and coordinators.
Daniel Loges, Melody McGee, and Sandra Thompson, College and Career Readiness Coordinators, introduced the candidates for graduation, who each received congratulations from CCCC President Dr. T.E. Marchant and CCCC Board of Trustees Chairman Julian Philpott.
"Congratulations to our graduates," said Dr. Marchant. "We sincerely think this is a great day for you and we hope you will continue your education."
Dr. Pamela Senegal, Vice President of Economic and Community Development, closed graduation with a quote from Dr. Seuss, "Your mountain is waiting, So ... get on your way!"
Following the commencement exercises, family and friends celebrated with the graduates.
Among the graduates was Kristen Dawn Marie McLamb, who now lives Ohio but returned for her graduation. "I am extremely, extremely excited. This is a really big moment for so many people and to be able to share it with all these people is just really exciting. It's an opening of the door for so many new opportunities for everyone," she said.
Pictures from the commencement exercises can be downloaded at www.cccc.edu.
For more information about Central Carolina Community College's College and Career Readiness programs, visit www.cccc.edu or contact: in Chatham County 919-545-8663, in Harnett County 910-814-8971, or in Lee County 919-777-7701.
For more information about Central Carolina Community College, visit www.cccc.edu.
GRADUATE LIST
Gabrielle Michelle Adams, Taylor Samone Allen, Julisa Hernandez Arellano, Jacob Liam Armstrong, Beatriz Fuentes Balleza, Joel Dean Candelori, Renee Catherine Clemons, James John Cooper, Shawn Jermine Dickenson, Shaqwan Delono Epps, Victoria Sage Eures, George Ferruzca, Julia Maria Gietzen, Johnathon Gabriel Harris, Wesley Michael Holder, Sylvia Ann Howell, Heidi Noelle Johnson, Khadia Juwhail Jones, Belle Kay, Elizabeth Christine Lockard, Gloria Sherea MacDougald, Collin Dennis Maley, Sherry Lynn Marsh, Kristen Dawn Marie McLamb, Allegra Marissa McLean, Elena Monter-Mendez, Gavin Carlisle Moore, Lewis E. Newkirk, Logan Ryan Norris, Chris Lee Otero, Kyle David Perry, Jackson Edward Kyle Portillo, Adassa Richards, Tiffany A. Rolon, Shakiem Alliah Rowson, Maria L. Sanchez, Dakota M. Simmons, Robin M. Smalls, Bailey Antonia Sheppard, Triston Edward Tawney, Heather Olive Torres, Magdalena Dejesus Torres, Brittany Anne Truitt, Adam Burton Tyndall, Shannon Kaylee Vaughn, Bobby Clayton Wiley Jr. Elijah Williams, Joshua Dale Wilson.
Central Carolina Community College's College and Career Readiness Commencement Exercises was a huge celebration. The June 18 event at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center honored the achievements of more than 45 students.
Graduates
Gloria Sherea MacDougald, a Lee County graduate, was one of the commencement student speakers at Central Carolina Community College's College and Career Readiness Commencement Exercises on June 18.
Heidi Noelle Johnson, a Chatham County graduate, was one of the commencement student speakers at Central Carolina Community College's College and Career Readiness Commencement Exercises on June 18.
Sylvia Ann Howell, a Harnett County graduate, was one of the commencement student speakers at Central Carolina Community College's College and Career Readiness Commencement Exercises on June 18.