MERIDIAN —     Meridian Community College’s Summer Commencement was held Friday at the Temple Theater for the Performing Arts in downtown Meridian.

    Of the 137 graduates who received diplomas and certificates, 11 top graduates were saluted to be included in the College’s Circle of Excellence.

    These graduates, Terry Wages, Bree Wiginton, Deondra White, Caitlyn Douglas, Juanita Jones, Megan Lewis, Wendy Castillo, Beverly Jasper, Ashley Shier, Tonde’la Johnson and Bryan McLaughlin, were chosen on the basis of scholarship, leadership, spirit and service.

    Wages is from Brandon and is a graduate of the Fire Protection Technology program with a 4.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale). He serves as the division chief over training for the Brandon Fire Department. He plans to continue his education and become a chief executive fire officer. Wages is a member of the international scholastic society for community and junior college Phi Theta Kappa, Mississippi Fire Service Instructor’s Association, Mississippi Fire Fighter’s Association and is an active member of Crossgates Baptist Church. This year, he received the Mississippi Fire Officer of the Year award from the Mississippi Burn Foundation. Wages is married and the father of four children.

    Wiginton is from Meridian and a graduate of the University Transfer Program. She plans to attend The University of Mississippi and major in social work. Wiginton was a member of MCC’s Chorus and a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and was on both the Dean’s List and President’s Lists. She is an active church member and assisted with vacation Bible School. Wiginton was a volunteer tutor while at MCC and is in the process of starting a branch of “Chicktime,” a group of women who volunteer their time to spend with abused and neglected children in the community.

    White is from DeKalb and is a graduate of the Radiologic Technology Program. She plans to further her education at University Medical Center. Earlier this year, White was named the Outstanding Radiologic Technology Program Student. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and has supported the MCC food pantry. She has also participated in fundraising efforts for a local child’s catastrophic medical expenses and for Autism Speaks.

    Douglas is from Toomsuba and is a graduate of the Dental Assisting Technology Program. She is a member of Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA), recipient of the Meridian Area Dental Association Scholarship and placed first in MCC’s Literary Review Contest in the poetry division in 2011 and 2012. A member of Carmel Baptist Church, Douglas is also a member of the church choir.

    Jones, a resident of Daleville, graduated from the Surgical Technology Program. Her future plans are to work in the surgical field and go back to school to study forensic science. She is a member of HOSA, Association of Surgical Technologists, National Board of Surgical Technologists and Surgical Assisting, and is on the President’s and Dean’s Lists. She leads study groups for the National Certification of Surgical Technologist Exam. Juanita is the mother of two children and the grandmother of six granddaughters.

    Lewis is from Enterprise and is a graduate of the Radiologic Technology Program and a member of PTK. Her career goal is to obtain certification in mammography. Lewis’ extracurricular activities include support for the MCC Food Pantry, fundraising and donations to various local charities and Autism Speaks. She is the mother of one daughter.

    Castillo is from Meridian and is a graduate of the Practical Nursing Program. She plans to become a registered nurse and specialize in the area of wound care. Castillo is a member of HOSA, Practical Nurses Student Association and was tapped for inclusion on the Dean’s List. She has participated in numerous blood drives and food drives. Along with volunteer work at the Salvation Army, Castillo has collected personal care items for the needy.

    Jasper, a resident of Quitman, is a graduate of the Cosmetology Program. Her career goal is to own and operate her own salon in the local area. Japser has participated in the MCC fall festival, hair shows, College for Kids and is on the Dean’s List. She is a member of Shiloh Baptist Church where she is also a Sunday School teacher. Jasper is the mother of three children.

    Shier, from Meridian, is a graduate of the University Transfer Program. She plans to attend Mississippi State University to pursue a career as a middle school English teacher. Shier is a member of PTK and Future Educators Association.

    Johnson is from Meridian and is a graduate of the University Transfer Program with emphasis in social work. She plans to further her education at Mississippi State University to achieve a bachelor’s degree in social work and later pursue a master’s degree in the same field. Johnson is an active church member and church nursery volunteer. She is married to Kenneth and the mother of six children.

    McLaughlin is from Shubuta and is a graduate in the University Transfer Program. He plans to further his education at the University of Southern Mississippi where he will major in psychology. McLaughlin is a member of the Ivy League Recruiters, a member of MCC’s Gospel Choir and MCC’s College Activities Board. He is a youth minister at Agape Storehouse Apostolic Church where he is also president of youth ministry.

    Candidates for graduation included:

    Ackerman - Catherine C. Rhodes; Bailey - Hannah Renee Chisolm, Natasha Hellen; Brandon - Terry Michael Wages; Carrollton, Ala - Megan LeAnn Pate; Chunky - Kimberly Anderson, Toni Adams, Zachary Pigg; Collinsville - Kristen Newell, Marlena Sha'Niece Clayton, Paige A. Deitz; Daleville - Juanita Jones, Shawanda M. Holliday; DeKalb - Andrea L. Johnson, Deondra White, De'Asia Shutay Boyd, Lashundra Monique Henderson;

     Enterprise -  Ashley Hamrick, Kari Diane Carmichael, Megan Lewis; Forest - Mary Boyd; Hoover, Ala. - Alicia Rodgers; Kiln - Thomas E. Stockstill, Jr.; Lake - Emily Hollingsworth, Jana L. Parks; Lauderdale - Andrea Marie Schuurman, Kaitlyn E. Gabriel; Laurel - Beverly L. Thomas, Lisman, Ala. - Anika JaVonne Tanks; Little Rock - Paige Seward; Louisville - Brittany Janay Eichelberger, Natalie Marshall; Marion - Dana Lynn Chatman;

     Meridian - Adarea M. Overstreet, Alexis Dyanndra Washington, Amanda Rawson, Amber Lynn Barry, Amber Nichole Rainer, Amberly R. Holcomb, Antonio Deshawn Brown, Ashley Paige Shier, Ashley Shontay Brown, Ashley White, Auston Everette Essix, Brandon Ross Bowen, Breanta Shanti Fox, Brittani Emerelle Portis-Mayes, Brittany Nicole Bridges, Carmen Yvette Pace, Caroline Patterson, Chad Allan Lewis, Christopher Ford, Christopher L. Bullock, Christopher Williams, Conchetitta M. Chaney, Cortney Evans, Cortney Harper,Cristina Rene' Mumme, Delecia Foster, Derrick Lamont McDonald, Donald Creekmore, Ebonie Aisha King, Elmer Pickett, Evan Harris, James M. Glover Sr., Jared Lee Culpepper, Jasmine Jordan, Jessica Williams, John William Glover,Karon M. Parker, Kayla Grayson, Kayla Lancaster, Kelly R. Jonas, Kenyoda M.Turner, Kevin Jerome Moore, Kimberly Ashton Welch, La' Tierra Shanta Harbin, La'Asia Purnell, Lashassadee Lewis, Lashasta J. Metts, Latashia Shanta Clark, Latracia Falconer, Laverne A. Crowther, Le'Vonya S Davis, Mary C. McLaughlin, Maxine Thomas Davis, Megan Lawson, Melissa Carlson, Nikitah Hall, Patricia Jean Brown, Riyahda Raelynn Watkins, Rosalind Odom, Sandy Ferrill, Jr., Shatireale Boyd-Hill, Stacey N. Pogue, Stephanie Price, Stephanie Truman, Susan Wisener, Timothy W. Dougan, Jr., Tonde'la M. Johnson, Tracy Y. Presswood, Wendy Castillo, Zacchaeus A. Cacapit;

     Newton - Leah Mowdy, Natalie P. Matthews; Olive Branch - Brett Alan Yoakum; Pachuta - Carolyn Bridges, Shannon Aleise Jones; Pearl - Frank Hutton; Philadelphia - Bree N. Wiginton, Demi Davenport, Jacqueline M. Sharp, Kesha Lindsey, Loni Clark, Monica T. Butler-East, Nikki Cobb, Nola Faye Parker, Shawnee M. Hill; Purvis - Jason E. Sheldon; Quitman - Beverly Lashell Jasper, Candida Royalle Napier, Heather Anne Bearden, Madyson Lee; Rose Hill - William Kenneth Caraway, Michelle Ryans; Shubuta - Bryan O'Neal McLaughlin, Lindsey Mercer Followell;

     Stonewall - Allyson K. Mosley, Blair Hennington, Rebekah Henson Williams; Theodore, Ala. - Clayton E. Courtney; Toomsuba - Caitlyn D. Douglas, Heather Cutway; Union -  Carolyn Boswell;  Vossburg - Lisa Taylor, and Wetumpka, Ala. - Giovanni Smith.