Twenty-six students at Meridian Community College were saluted for their outstanding academic excellence during the college’s spring commencement ceremonies held Saturday.

Four were chosen to receive the college’s top academic scholarship – the H.M. Ivy Scholarship, which was named in memory of Dr. H.M. Ivy, the founding father of MCC.

This year marks the 35th year for these scholarships to be given to outstanding graduates, said Gerry Purvis, president of The MCC Foundation. Ivy Scholars are selected on the basis of academic excellence, extra-curricular participation, financial need and faculty appraisals.

The four scholars will receive $1,500 for their junior year of study at senior institutions, and provided their academic excellence continues, $1,500 awards for their senior year of study.

Recipients are Nadja Hentze of Ellisville; Allison Dallas of Collinsville, LaJerika Reese of Meridian and Joshua Ivy of Quitman. They are all students in the University Transfer Program.

Hentze is a pre-medicine major who plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi. Her career goal is to become a dentist or pulmonologist. A member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international academic honor society for community and junior college students, she is also a student worker in the math department.

Dallas, who is a history major, plans to earn her doctorate in history education. A member of PTK and the College’s Ivy League Recruiters, Dallas was a President’s List Scholar and the recipient of the Key Brothers Scholarship. She plans to attend Mississippi State University.

Reese, who has career goals of becoming a superintendent of education, is a member of PTK, where she served as vice president, and Ivy League Recruiters. A staff member of the student newsletter, Reese won a first place award in the MCC Literary Review. She plans to study education at MSU.

Ivy is majoring in psychology and will attend Southern Wesleyan University this fall. A PTK member, Ivy is also a member of the MCC Golf Team, where he served as team captain. He received the Buddy Davis Memorial Scholarship.

Students who were tapped for Circle of Excellence were selected on the basis of scholarship, leadership, spirit and service. Named were Jennifer Head, Randi Lynn Shafer, Jessica Hutchinson, Hannah Shirley, Marie Moser, Sierra Woolery, Lauren McKee, Jovetta Akridge, Sara Baker, Dawn Goodman, Brittany Hopson, Whitney Hoskins, Josh Ivy, Sheila Elizabeth “Betsy” Mitchell, David L. Mosley Jr., Justin Chase Newman, Bryant Adam Self, William Blake Sherman, Matthew H. Smith, Juan Nicholas Zabrodiec, Kameron Agerton, Kara Harwell, Molly Alicia Moon, Nadja Hentze, LaJerika Z. Reese and Jerry Walley.

Head is from Florence and is a graduate of the Dental Hygiene Program; Shafer is from Louisville and a graduate of the Associate Degree Nursing Program; Hutchinson is from Meridian and an ADN graduate; Shirley is from Whynot and a graduate of the Early Childhood Education Technology Program; Moser is from Meridian and an ADN graduate; Woolery is from Morton and a graduate of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program; McKee is from Philadelphia and is a business administration major; Akridge is from Corpus Christi, Texas, and speech pathology major; Baker is from Toomsuba and is a graphic design major; Goodman is from Meridian and is a education major; Hopson is from Meridian and is a banking and finance major; Hoskins is from Philadelphia and is a pharmacy major; Mitchell is from Meridian and is a speech pathology major; Mosley is from Meridian and is an English major; Newman is from Ethel and is a business major; Self is from Tupelo and is a pre-medicine major; Sherman is from Laurel and is a pre-medicine major; Smith is from Meridian and is a pharmacy major; Zabrodiec is from Asuncion, Paraguay and is a civil engineering major; Agerton is from Meridian and is an education major; Harwell is a nursing major and is a nursing major; Moon is from Amory and is a graphic design major; and Walley is from Moss Point and is a telecommunications major.

MCC candidates for graduation include:

Molly Alicia Moon of Amory; Juan Nicolas Zabrodiec of Asuncion, Paraguay; Deondra Smith, Kurtis K. Hoffer, Mason Mitchell, Melody Dawn Larrabee, Sheila E. "Betsy" Mitchell and Summer Lucky, all of Bailey; Cynthia S Blackledge, Elizabeth Marie Blackledge and Regis Huddleston, all of Bay Springs; Bryant Adam Self of Belden; Curtis Dean Sparks of Belmont; Jessica Danielle Provost of Bogalusa, La.; Carley Ann Robinson, Mark Leslie Grogan and Sonya Marquisha Hoard, all of Brandon; Jasmine De'Neia Murry and Tiandra A. Robinson, both of Brooksville;

James Gunn of Buckatunna; Megan Elise Hand of Butler, Ala.; Bethany Ann Joiner and Jorenda Nacole Wilder of Carthage; Jeremy K. Wesley and Kelli Morgan Thompson, both of Choctaw; Kimberely Ann Alsup and Pondra T. McAllister, both of Chunky;

Allison Rea Dallas, Arnold C. Culpepper, Cheryl Lynn Moore, Daniel Brock Martin, David W. Agnew, Jessica Moore, Joe F. Buntyn III, Kalin Alford, Katherine Elizabeth Sullivan, Katie Beth McAlister,Kelly Ward, Matthew C. Walker, Meggan Shumate, Michael Burton, Sommer Nicole Jones, Toni Grayson Keller and Toni M. Grayson, all of Collinsville; Kellie Kristina McMillian of Columbus; Keyetta Maria Crenshaw of Cuba, Ala.; Andrea Boyd, Emily Ann White, Hiram C. Moore, Lakita McIntosh, Lawrence S. Bernard Jr., Lindsay Dawkins Keri Annalyn McIntosh, Libby Jean Myers and Wesley W. Warren, all of DeKalb; Gwendolyn Johnson, Katrina Thames and Shauna Grady, all of Decatur; Kelvin L. Gaddis of Edwards; Nadja Hentze of Ellisville; Tayanta R. Adams of Emelle, Ala.; Glenda Sillman, Richard S. Gaddis and Roger Kyle Farris, both of Enterprise; Justin Newman of Ethel; Brian Woodard of Eupora; Phillip Johnson of Falls Church, Va.; Jennifer L. Head of Florence; Darrell Ervin Brogdon, Heather Whitlock and Jessie Lynn Jones, all of Forest; Leslie Noleah Rodgers of Greenville;

Jessica Lynn Heron of Gretna, La.; Thuy Thanh Phan of Gulfport; Stephon Swilley of Hazelhurst; DeAndra Arrington and Michelle Morgan, both of Heidelberg; Frankie L. Shoemaker, Richard A Walker and Susan L. Walker, all of Hickory; Jessica Donahue Jackson and Shannell Akers, both of Jackson; Alexander Mickel Lee and Treshia L. Towner, both of Lake; Crystal Hopson, Roderick Cannon, Shaneka Hopson, Taylor K. Milling and Tracey L Ransom, all of Lauderdale; Fabiola Remigio-Stevens, Kelli LaShae Jones and William Blake Sherman, all of Laurel; Morgan Kyle Craven of Lawrence

Cisley Timina Townsend and Lisa Diane Ruffin, both of Lisman, Ala.; Brenda Hamilton, Ian Phillip Sharp, Nadosha Strickland, all of Louin; DeNisha Hampton, Kimberly D. Kemp, Larae Hemphill and Tanesha Holmes, all of Louisville; Clifton Lamar Busby Jr. of Lucedale; Cierra Bradford and Edward Robinson, both of Macon; Jacturica Bourrage,Leia Janay Garrett, Marquita McAllister, Tiffanie Gaines, all of Marion; Celena L. Johnson of Melvin, Ala.; Shannon Steed of Mendenhall;

Aaron L. Fortin, Abby K. Morgan, Alana G. Harper, Alicia L. Glover, Allen Parker, Allison Shae Barrett, Alyshia DeShanee' Hicks, Amanda Laine McArthurAmanda Laine McArthur Swain, Amber Brannon, Amy Jo McNish , Amy M. Rodgers, Amy Suzanne Shepherd, Angel Marie Moser, Anita Lynn Holliman,Anna Faith Adcock, Anthony J. Altomare, Antonio R. Altman, Apryl Renee Null, Ashala Ivy, Ashley Brooke Neal, Ashley Elisabeth Allen, Ashley Leigh Blass, Ashley Marie Eades, Ashton N. Shirley, Ashton S. Anderson, Bernice Rochelle Collins, Brent Mabry, Brett Harper, Brian Hogg, Brittany Allyce Hopson, Brittany Elyse Jentoft, Brittany Monique Brown, Brookley Nicole Branning, Carissa Chambers, Carla Tequila Wilson, Casey D. Russell, Casey G. Powell, Chara Willis, Chase Trayal, Cherrelle Shunta Willis, Cierra Jaquanta Ball, Corensha Williams, Coretta Arneca Johnson, Courtney Anderson, Dana Marie Rue, Daniel Hagwood, Daniel Johnson, Daniel Marc Jones, Daniel Robert Huntley, Daniel Robinson, Darren L Barksdale, Darren Laroy Barksdale, David L. Mosley Jr., Davious Loyd, Dawn S. Goodman, Dazell Jackson, Donald James Lloyd, Donald Rucker, Douglas Pigford, Drew Ridinger, Dustin Wellman, Earl Jones III, Ebonee' Sade Ball, Ebony Watkins, Elyse Jeffries, Emily R. Clearman, Emily R. Watson, Erica Lashae Matthews, Fannie L Stinner, Felicia A. Brown, Frank T. Clark, Fredrick D. Warren, Gregory Scott Stuart, Gwendolyn Ann Brown, Hannah Faye Shirley, Heather Burt, Heather M. Boykin, Heather Nicole Durham, Holly Mayton Thrash, Jacqueline Richardson, James King, James Tyler Fleming, James Ware, Jamie Albanese, Jared Donald, Jeffrey A. Smith, Jennifer Lauren Dodd, Jennifer Nicole Leonard, Jesse J. Dockins, Jessica Courvelle Calvert, Jessica J. Ferrell, Jessica Lavelle Hutchison,Jewel Chapple, Joely Moss, John Chancelor Tucker, John Donald, John Paul Baranello, Joseph Gibson, Joshua Edward White, Jovetta K. Akridge, Justin R. Rupp, Kameron Agerton, Kande J. Buck, Kara D. Harwell, Karen P. Garner, Kari D. Mathis, Katherine R. Watkins, Katrina Denise Avery, Kayla Mills Davis, Kendrick L. Knighton, Kentisha Dunn, Kevin W Davis, Keyuna Grace,, Kiara F. Houston, Kimberly D. Waddell,Krista L. Harris, Kristy Greenlee, LaJerika Zeni' Reese, LaShonda Boddie, Laquandra B Lemon, Laurence A. Evans, Leah Katherine Hailey, Madeline Roebuck Kennedy, Manuel Mendoza Jr., Marc Alan Mitchell, Marie Moser, Martita Tashae White, Mary Law, Matthew H. Smith, Melissa Ann Acton, Melissa Vanniece Betts, Michael Buckley, Michael D. Burage, Michael Davis Turner, Michael Ryan Hill, Michaela Linnece Harrington, Murrietta Latrice Jones, Nancy Mann, NeKesha J. Gordon, Omoro Lamein Hampton, Patricia L. Poythress, Patricia Leggett, Paula Jean Cole, Paula Lambert, Retha Michelle Moulds, Robert Brent Rutledge, Robert Matthew Malone, Rodolfo F. Rios-Cruz, Rodricus Portis, Sara Smith, Saundra L. Sims-Warren, Savanna Danyelle Fitzhugh, Scott L. Grady, Sequeena Necole Jackson, Shannon Leigh Creel, Shaterika Lynette Clark, Shatina Rachelle Posey, Shawn Tyrone Young, Shekeita Mauldin, Shemakia Shonta Hersey, Shemetria Moffett, Shundra L. Green, Stephen Atterberry Jr., Summer Tomelia Koehn, Tahiti L. McCurty, Tahiti McCurty, Tanisha Lashay Cole, Tarrah Thrasher, Teresa Stallings Nester, Teri Jo Keen Callihan, Terrah Sheffield,Terry Allen Tucker, Tiffany Brooke Hickman, Tiffany Harper, Timothy P. Segars, Tommie Lavon Curtis Sr, Valerie Denise Ayers Hughes ,Victoria Rochelle Meek, Wesley Alan Samuelson, Whitney Drachenberg, William Richard Hassenfratz, William Ryan Griffin and Wynell E. Anderson, all of Meridian

Amanda Coward and Sierra C. Woolery, both of Morton; Jerry Letate Walley of Moss Point; JaBari Taki Logan of Natchez; Ashley Scot Foley, Kierra Reshea Jones and Pearline McDyess, all of Newton; Jennifer O. Gordon of Pearl, Alana Davis, Amber Y. Williamson, Angela S. Boykin, Ashley Coleman, Autumn Leigh Gurry, Casey Marie Vaughn, Constance Chunn, Dana Breazeale, Jesette Rush, Lauren Marie McKee, Paul E. Houston, Samantha Moore, Shanese Hunter, Whitney Hoskins and Millicent Robyn Wallace, all of Philadelphia; Erica Roshae Broach and Michael Snow, both of Porterville; Michelle L. LeViness of Prattville, Ala.; Cher Reed Roberts and Randi Lynn Shafer, both of Preston; Brenden Bryan O'Neil, Candace Deanne Coleman, Carolyn Ann Rogers, Clara J. Strickland, Connie Kufel Faircloth, Cynthia Annette Gordon, Jenifer C. Robinson, Joshua Wayne Ivy, Justin Gibbs, Kasey Jade Daugherty, Lo'Dean Nelson, Pebbles Morgan, Rena H. Cooper, Stefanie Lewis, Stephanie D. Pearson and Toney Grant Fleming II, all of Quitman; Amanda Lyanne Parker Wilkinson of Rayville; Ashley Hinton of Richton; Clay Lewis of Rose Hill; Berretta Dwennett McCarty, Jasmine D. Hilton, Roberta Heidelberg, Shelia H. Trotter and Tonya Campbell, all of Shubuta;

Anita Veronica Johnson, Dwight Allen Turner, Jodi Webb and LaTijah Patrice Beckum, all of Starkville; Cynthia Martin, Jonathan W. Hamrick and Karan R. Holmes, all of Stonewall; Angelina Easter, Ashley Pepple, Demetrius A. Brown, Earvin J. Hopkins, Heather Renee Ward, Kimberly Malone, Kimberly R. Govan, Leigh Ann Coppins , Micheal Mosley and Sarah E. Baker, all of Toomsuba; Barbara Divine, Joseph Douglas Nowell, Joshua Harris, Ryan W. Savell, Seth Michael Gilliand and Sondra Rena Harper, all of Union; Michael Hunter Shinn of Vicksburg; Alycia LeMerle of Victoria, Australia; Brittany Nicole Altman of Vossburg; Eric De-von Stingley of Walnut Grove, Billy C. Young Jr., James M. Glover, James M. Glover Sr., Monica M. Repsher, Natalie P. Jones, Sheelia Davis and Tamara R. May; and Felisa May and Lori Harvey-Walker, both of York, Ala.