Special to The Star



Eight outstanding graduates were honored Saturday morning during the Meridian Community College fall commencement program held in the Temple Theater in Downtown Meridian.

Brittany Deon Brown, Tracy Desmond, Elijah Gomez, Mollie Jo Kinard, Ashlyn Nicole Newell, Laura Lynne Peppenhorst and Chelsea Wade, all of Meridian and Amber Wilcher of Carthage, were tapped as recipients of the College’s Circle of Excellence. These graduates were chosen on the basis of scholarship, leadership, spirit and service.

Brown, who began her studies at MCC as a student in the dual credit student program, is a graduate of the Practical Nursing Program and plans to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner. She is a member of Health Occupation Students of America, Practical Nursing Student Organization and is a member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church and she volunteers at LOVES Kitchen.

Desmond graduated from the Telecommunication Service Technology Program with honors and he plans to pursue a degree from the University of West Alabama with a career interest in the telecommunications industry. Married and the father of two children, Desmond is a member of the York, Ala., Police Department and served eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He has participated in the Big Brothers Association in York and collected Coats for Kids.

A graduate of the Associate Degree Nursing program, Gomez plans to obtain a master’s degree and work as a nurse practitioner with also career aspirations of becoming a nurse educator. Gomez is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international academic honor student organization, the Organization of Student Nurses, and has served on an Associate Degree Nursing Program student focus group committee. He has participated in fund raisers for Blair Batson Children’s Hospital and assisted with making Easter baskets for Wesley House, Care Lodge and Hope Village. He and his wife Abby are expecting their first child.

Kinard also earned her degree in the Associate Degree Nursing Program. She plans to begin work in the intensive care unit at Rush Foundation Hospital and eventually obtain a master’s degree. She is a member of PTK, OSN and participated in the Scholars Bowl at the Mississippi Organization of Associate Degree Nursing student convention. Kinard is married and is a member of Collinsville Baptist Church and a member of National Barrel Horse Association. She has participated in making Easter baskets for Hope Village, Wesley House, Care Lodge and helped raise money for Blair Batson Children’s Hospital.

A University Transfer Program graduate, Newell plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi to major in fashion merchandizing and pursue a career in the fashion industry. She is a member of PTK, was a cheerleader for the 2008-2009 school year, and served as a student representative on a student services committee. She was chosen as Miss Meridian 2009, Lauderdale County’s Junior Miss 2008, and is a member of Northcrest Baptist Church.

Peppenhorst graduated from the Practical Nursing Program and plans to attend Samford University to become a nurse anesthetist. Laura is a member of HOSA, Practical Nurses Student Organization, a member of Hebron Church, and she, too, began her education at MCC as a dual credit program student.

Wade graduated from the University Transfer Program and she plans to attend Mississippi State University, Meridian Branch, to study accounting. Upon her graduation from MSU, she plans to become an auditor. Wade was a student volunteer at Anderson Regional Medical Center, was named to the Dean’s List, and has donated to the MCC Food Drives. She is a member of the worship team at Trinity Assembly of God where she volunteers in the nursery and helps with marketing events for Chick-fil-A. She is married to Richard Wade.

Wilcher graduated from the Practical Nursing Program and plans to upgrade and pursue a career as a registered nurse. A wife and the mother of a son, Wilcher is a member of HOSA and the Practical Nurses Student Organization. She is a member of Pine Grove Church of God where she served as director of children’s ministry last year and teaches children’s bible study.

With more than 240 graduate candidates, Saturday's ceremony reflected an all-time record number for the fall semester.

Soraya Welden, MCC dean of student services, said that a more typical number of fall graduates for MCC is about 180.

MCC holds three commencements per year in December, May and August. Welden said that the May commencement is always the largest of the school year and that the December program is typically the second largest in terms of number of graduates.

Dr. Scott Elliott, 12th-year MCC president, said he was gratified to see so many students “finish what they started.”

“To see this number of students attain such a worthy goal tops off what has been a successful semester,” Elliott said. “First, we had the highest enrollment in the college’s 72-year history to start the new school year. Now, we’re having a record number of fall term graduates. It’s a great Christmas present for our faculty and staff.”

Students who were candidates for the December graduation event included:

Andrea Fox, Dianne Boggan Hayes, and Gregory Pace, all of Bailey; Jonistine Y. Jones and Kerri Latrice Smith, both of Brandon; Holly Lane Stevens and Leola Stone, both of Bucatunna; Kathryn M. Nickell of Butler, Ala.; Marvis L. Douglas of Canton; Amber K. Wilcher, Landon B.Wilson and Sonya Rushing, all of Carthage; Kristi Raye Harrison, of Chunky;

Amy E. Moody, Donathon Fortner, Emily Jo Crenshaw, Joe Burt Cade III, Lisa M. Andreacchio, Meghan Alyse Segovia, Morgan Gullette, Regis N. Moore, Summer Ann Edwards, Tammy L. Faucette, Tonya L. Crenshaw and Wendy Ishee, all of Collinsville; Haley Elizabeth Vance and Megan Nicole McDill, both of Connehatta; Mary A. Graham of Cuba, Ala.; Courtney Dorsett of Decatur; Charlie McDade, Malcolm P. Alexander and Stacey Martin Thomas, all of DeKalb;

Willie E. Townsend, Jr. of Duck Hill; Ashley Leigh Freeman, Emily Lynn Pope, Krystin N. Waller, Shantavia S. King and Sheri Lea Hiefner, all of Enterprise; Joseph A Jones of Florence; Hope Peavy Lucious and Lori Gunn, all of Forrest; Katrina R. Hyde and Yolanda Umeka Ruffin, both of Hattiesburg; Antionette Robinson of Jackson;

Antonio Serton, Gloria Ann Hellen, Jeremy D. Hopson, Leah D. Guinn, Lillie M. Twiggs, Sarah A. Johnston and Teshicia L. Sturdivant, all of Lauderdale; Anita C. Craven, Brian M. Martin, Chandra Monique Causey, Deborah B. Keys and Kathy Fulmer, all of Laurel; Clayton Alan Smith of Louin, Dana Scrivener, Lanisha Houston, Natalie C. Beddingfield, Shandolyn N. Roberson and Shandolyn Roberson, all of Louisville; Teresa K. Webb of Lucedale; Jeffrey Swanner of Marion;

Accuisha Barfield, Accuisha S. Dubose, Alandria Edwards, Alex I. Khan, Alexander Martin, Alexis LeeAnn Alexander, Alisha L. Miller, Amanda Shaffer, Amanda Wakefield, Andrea Caitlin Wilson, Andy Joe Thomas, Angela Nix, Anika S. McCoy, Anthony Jennings, Avery L. Brooks, Benjamin S. Boyette, Bethany Garrity, Bethany L. Sullins, Brandi J. Dillard, Brittany Deon Brown, Carmelita Eadie, Carolyn T. Pickard, Chelsea Wade, Cheryl L. Clark, Christina Terrell, Cindel McQueen, Daniel A. Reynolds, David P. Wetter, David Stanton, DeShonna K. Mosley, Derrick Marques Houston, Deshonna Kereese Mosley Thomas, Dezarae Lindsey Zittleman, Diorela P. Mallare, Eddie Edwards, Elijah M. Gomez, Elizabeth S. Gibson, Gregory Wayne Mangum, Irish Clark, Jacqueline Clayton, Jalysha Sims, Jana LeAnn Minchew, Jeffrey Hemphill, Jeffrey Lynn Hemphill, Jennifer Danielle Waller, Jennifer Waller Shehane, Jera Kirchner, Jerry Patrick Johnson, Jessica M. Reed, Jessica Miller Breakfield, Jessica Rene Brown, Jimmunio Demontrell Woullard, Joey Bates, John Christopher Smith, Joseph Tanner, Juli Anevien Carney, Justin Palmer, Kayla Mills Davis, Kebra Wilson, Keith A. Jacoby, Keith Jacoby, Kenneth D. Byrd, LaShaundra Smith, Laquandra S. Lewis, Lashundra Ann Marsh, Latoya Clayton, Laura Lynne Peppenhorst, Lauren Farmer, Leemisa Davis, Linda Michelle Sanders, Lori A. Robinson, Mallory Elise Jordan, Martha Suzanne Metcalf, Martin Miller Jack, Meagan Crane Minor, Mechia Lynn Owens, Mollie Jo Kinard, Monte D. Ellis, Natasha M. Crowell, Queshaun S. Sudbury, Rebecca Herrington, Remonica Holliday, Remonica Thurmond, Robert O'Leary Wilder, Samantha Key Curtis, Samona Ressa Love, Sandi J. Lundstrom, ShaDonna Lewis, Shantell D. Gary, Sheena Secrist, Shelia Allen, Simmone L. Jones, Tannica Theresa Ball, Teretha Conner, Terica Ariele Smith, Thelma Jackson, Tiffany Alyssa Roulier, Traci Leifried, Tracy Desmond, Traycee Bender, Valerie Lynette Walk and William L. Massey, all of Meridian;

Cornest L. Hornesbuger of Noxapater; Anna R. Lewis of Ovette; Anna R. Lewis, Ethan D. Smith, Frances D. Chandler and Susan Finnegan, all of Pachuta; Ahlishia DeFrancis Johnson, Alisa L. Burkes, Allison Nicole Willis, Brandon Fisher, Dennis Jim Jr., Jennifer Rose Glenn, Kara Loper Kabore', Kimberly Dawn Burks, Kimberly K. Davidson, Lisa Sylvester, Marcia Moore, Nicole Smiley, Vivian M. Rasberry, Whitney Le'Ree Wesley and Amanda L. Ricks, all of Philadelphia; Jessica S. Heard of Prairie, Michael McClendon of Preston;

Amy Suzanne Martin, Ashley Machell Smith, Greg Rigdon, Kristy L. Carney and Rita Mars-Stanley, all of Quitman; Edhereveno Omena Etibo, of Richardson, Texas; Marcia A. Jones of Richton; Brittany L. Boulton, Erica Lynn Wedgeworth and James O. Williams III of Rose Hill; Cassie Lorena Carter; Jacqueline Eunese Howze Williams and Robert William Dycus of Shubuta; Heather B. McLain of State Line; Herbert Justin Wilson, Jack Tyler Smith, Jack W. Leist, Steven Phillips and Takeshia Brown, all of Stonewall;

Jasmyne Barnes of Taylorsville; Amanda Elizabeth Raines, Ashlyn Newell, Eric D. Collins, John Michael Churchill and Josie A. Nunley, all of Toomsuba; Craig O. Lewis of Tylertown; Angelia Sue McDill, Brittany Leigh Germany, Michael C. Johnson and Tommy Hollingsworth, all of Union; Mary Ann Harris of Vossburg; Chantra Althea Parker, Janet Brown, Ebony L. Johnson and Schecara Pace, all of Waynesboro; and Brandy Carroll of Weir.